The US visa offices in Pakistani cities, Islamabad and Karachi, are experiencing an unprecedented surge in visa applications, processing over 10,000 applications each month since 2023.
This significant increase comes with a notable reduction in appointment waiting times, which have been cut nearly in half compared to last year.
A senior US embassy official informed journalists that the number of visas issued from the Islamabad and Karachi offices hit a record high in 2023. This upward trend is expected to continue, with projections indicating that the current US fiscal year, ending in October 2024, will surpass last year’s figures, according to local media reports.
Visa appointment waiting time reduced
In September 2023, there was a crisis-like situation with the visa appointment waiting time peaking at 440 days, the official stated. However, with the implementation of several measures, the waiting time has been reduced from 440 to 237 days. Despite these delays, visas are typically issued within five days after the interview if the relevant officer is convinced.
What causes the delay?
The embassy official attributed the delays in visa processing to the individualized and independent evaluation of each application. According to data on the US government’s website, a total of 107,183 non-immigrant visas were issued from Pakistan in the fiscal year ending October 2023, a significant increase from the 72,082 visas issued the previous year.
Surge in Visa Applications from Pakistan
The surge in visa applications has prompted the US embassy to enhance its processing capacity. Last year, the highest number of visas ever were issued, and the number is expected to grow further in 2024. The visa section prioritizes student applications, ensuring timely processing for those seeking education in the United States.
However, the official declined to disclose the visa application rejection rate and the total number of applications received at the visa sections in Islamabad and Karachi, citing that such data is not publicly available.
In response to the high demand for US visas, particularly faced by the Karachi consulate in September last year, the embassy has implemented several measures to increase its visa processing capacity at both centers.