The United States (US) Embassy in Islamabad has announced latest update on the resumption of visa services in Pakistan.
In a statement posted on X (Twitter), the embassy said, “All immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments are cancelled through March 20. Affected visa applicants will receive instructions by email on rescheduling their appointments.”
It will continue to provide routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens despite the temporary halt in visa processing.
Applicants have also been advised to check the status of their appointments through the official visa services portal.
The embassy further stated that all consular services at the U.S. Consulate General Karachi and the U.S. Consulate General Lahore will remain suspended until further notice.
US embassy announces visa suspension for Pakistani applicants
The United States Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi earlier announced, “Due to the current security situation, the US Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi have cancelled all visa appointments through Friday, March 6.”
Prior to this, the US suspended all routine services effective March 2, 2026, citing serious security concerns amid nationwide unrest.
The suspension applies not only to the Islamabad embassy but also to US consulates in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. All regular services, including visa appointments, passport processing, American citizen services, and routine consular assistance, have been halted until further notice.
Officials said a revised schedule will be announced later, leaving thousands of visa applicants and US citizens awaiting further guidance. The decision follows escalating tensions after reports of the martyrdom of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei triggered widespread protests across Pakistan.
US decides to permanently shut its consulate in Peshawar
Yesterday, the United States (US) decided to permanently close the US Consulate General Peshawar.
According to an Associated Press report, the department has formally notified the United States Congress about the decision, stating that the closure is expected to save around $7.5 million annually. Officials said the move would not affect Washington’s ability to pursue its national interests in Pakistan.
