US Visa Appointment Booking in Pakistan: Profile, Fee and Interview Date

US visa appointment booking in Pakistan has four steps: complete the DS-160 form online, create a profile on the official US visa appointment system, pay the visa application fee, and choose an interview date at the US Embassy in Islamabad or the US Consulate General in Karachi. Under current State Department rules, almost all applicants must attend an in-person interview. Always open the appointment system from the US Embassy's own website.

Based on official guidance from the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan. Last updated October 2026. Visa rules, fees and waiting times change, so always confirm on the official site before you apply, or ask us on WhatsApp for the latest checklist.

Related guides on our site: US Visit Visa Interview Tips for Pakistanis (B1/B2, 2026).

US visa appointment booking in Pakistan: key points

• The order is: DS-160, then appointment profile, then fee payment, then interview booking.
• At the time of writing, interviews for visitor and student visas take place at the US Embassy in Islamabad or the US Consulate General in Karachi; check pk.usembassy.gov for which posts are currently taking interviews.
• Expect an in-person interview. Under current rules interview waivers are very limited, so confirm on the US Embassy Pakistan visa page.
• Wait times change often. Check the official wait-time tool and log in again later for earlier dates.
• Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter and supporting documents.
• No agent, including IVS – Islamabad Visa Services, can buy or reserve an interview date for you.

Before you start

Check the latest instructions on the US Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan visa page. US visa rules change from time to time, so read the current notices before you pay anything. Then keep these ready:

• A valid passport, plus old passports with any previous US visas
• A personal email address that you check regularly
• A recent digital photo that meets US visa photo rules
• Your travel purpose and rough dates, plus your work and education history
• For students: your Form I-20 from a SEVP-certified school, and proof that you paid the SEVIS I-901 fee

Step 1: Complete the DS-160

The DS-160 is the online nonimmigrant visa application. You fill it in on the State Department's official DS-160 website.

• Write down your Application ID and security answer. Save your progress often, because the form times out.
• Answer honestly. Your answers must match your documents and what you say at the interview.
• List every social media account you have used in the last five years, as the form asks.
• Student and exchange visitor (F, M and J) applicants are currently asked to set their social media profiles to public. Check the embassy website for the latest instruction.
• Upload your photo in the required format.
• After you submit, print or save the confirmation page with the barcode. You need it to book and to attend.

Each person travelling needs their own DS-160, including children.

Step 2: Create your appointment profile

The appointment website and its screens can change over time, so older videos and guides may show old screens and links. Open the system from the "how to apply" links on the US Embassy website, not from a search ad or a link someone sends you. Create your profile, then add your DS-160 confirmation number and passport details. You can usually add family members to the same booking so you are interviewed together.

Step 3: Pay the visa application fee

The fee depends on your visa type. Check the current amount and payment methods on the US Embassy website and in your appointment profile. Keep in mind:

• The fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is refused.
• Your fee receipt is valid only for a limited time, so book your interview soon after paying.
• Keep the receipt number safe. You will need it if you have to log in again or ask for help.

Step 4: Book your interview in Islamabad or Karachi

Once your payment shows in your profile, you can choose the US Embassy in Islamabad or the US Consulate General in Karachi. Applicants from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the north usually choose Islamabad, but you may take whichever date suits you. You may also be asked to choose where to collect your passport after a decision.

Wait times vary by city and visa type. You can see the current estimate on the State Department's global visa wait times page. New slots open from time to time, so book the first suitable date and then log in again now and then to look for an earlier one.

If you have a real emergency, such as urgent medical treatment or a close family member's funeral, you can usually request an expedited appointment after booking your first date. The embassy decides each request. State Department guidance also says applicants should book in their country of nationality or residence, so Pakistani citizens living in Pakistan should book in Pakistan.

Interview waivers: who might qualify?

The State Department has narrowed its interview waiver rules, so check the latest position on the US Embassy Pakistan visa page. Under the current rules, almost all applicants, including children under 14 and people over 79, generally need an in-person interview.

A small group may still be considered for a waiver: mainly people renewing a recently expired full-validity B1/B2 visa, who were at least 18 when it was issued (check the exact time limit on the US Embassy Pakistan visa page). They must also apply in their country of nationality or residence, have no previous refusal and meet every other condition, and the US Mission in Pakistan must offer this option. Even then, the consular officer can still ask you to come for an interview. The appointment system checks your answers. Do not assume you qualify, and never give wrong answers to avoid an interview.

Rescheduling or cancelling

Log in to your appointment profile to move or cancel your interview. The system may limit how many times you can reschedule, so only change your date when you are sure. Appointments are sometimes cancelled by the embassy at short notice, for example during closures. If this happens, follow the rescheduling instructions in the email you receive.

Booking mistakes to avoid

• Paying anyone who says they can sell or reserve an interview slot. Dates are booked only in your own profile on the official system.
• Using a copycat website from a search ad. Start from the US Embassy's own link every time.
• Typing a name or passport number that does not match your passport exactly.
• Paying the fee and then waiting too long to book your date.
• Booking a date before your key documents, such as a student's I-20, are ready.

What to bring on interview day

• Your current passport and old passports
• DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
• Appointment confirmation letter
• Fee payment receipt
• A printed photo, if your appointment letter asks for one
• Visitors: proof of your job or business, income, bank statements, property or family ties in Pakistan, and, if visiting family, details of your relative's US status
• Students: signed Form I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, admission letter, academic certificates, test scores, and financial or sponsor documents

The officer may not ask to see your papers, as the interview itself matters most. Still, bring them neatly organised. Bags and electronic devices are restricted at US diplomatic buildings, so check the security rules on your appointment letter before you leave home.

For full document lists and interview tips, read our guides to the US visit visa from Pakistan and the US student visa from Pakistan. Applying to the UK too? See how to book a UK visa appointment in Pakistan.

How IVS helps

IVS is an independent visa consultancy. We are not linked to the US Embassy, the US Consulate, the State Department or any appointment service provider. From our office in F-10 Markaz, Islamabad, we help applicants from Islamabad and Rawalpindi with:

• Document review and file preparation
• Careful, consistent DS-160 completion
• Guidance on creating your profile and booking your own interview on the official system
• Mock interviews and interview preparation

We have been serving clients since 2022 and have helped 2,000+ clients. Visit our US visa assistance page or contact IVS in Islamabad.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book a US visa appointment in Pakistan?

Complete the DS-160 online, create a profile on the official appointment system linked from the US Embassy Pakistan website, and pay the visa fee. Then choose an interview date at the US Embassy in Islamabad or the US Consulate General in Karachi.

Where are US visa interviews held in Pakistan?

At the time of writing, visitor and student visa interviews are held at the US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate General in Karachi. Services can change at short notice, so check pk.usembassy.gov for which posts are currently taking interviews, then choose whichever has a suitable date.

Can I get a US visa interview waiver in Pakistan?

Very few people can. Under current rules almost all applicants need an in-person interview, and only a narrow group, mainly people renewing a recently expired full-validity B1/B2 visa with no previous refusal, may be considered for a waiver. Check the US Embassy Pakistan visa page for the current conditions.

How can I get an earlier US visa appointment in Pakistan?

Book the first suitable date, then log in to your profile regularly, because new slots open from time to time. If you have a genuine emergency, you can request an expedited appointment after booking, and the embassy decides each request.

Can I reschedule my US visa interview in Pakistan?

Yes. Log in to your appointment profile to move or cancel your interview, but the system may limit how many times you can reschedule, so change the date only when you are sure. If the embassy cancels your appointment, follow the rescheduling instructions in its email.

Can anyone sell me an earlier US visa interview date in Pakistan?

No. Interview dates are booked only in your own profile on the official appointment system, and no agent can buy or reserve one. No one can guarantee your visa either: only the consular officer decides. IVS helps you prepare your file, fill in the DS-160 carefully and practise for the interview.