Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-1 2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-2 2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | N/A | N/A 3 |
| H-2B | None | N/A | N/A 3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| L-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Local Union Councils, Municipal Corporations, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and Cantonment Boards are responsible for the registration of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in Pakistan, as well as the issuance of civil documents. In 2001, Pakistani authorities standardized these documents into a “computerized” format across the four provinces, the Islamabad Capital Territory, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Any document produced after 2001 should follow the current computerized format. Those documents produced before 2001, or from Pakistan occupied Kashmir, do not follow the computerized format, but should still be issued by the same local authorities listed above.
Pakistani civil documents are sometimes produced years after an event as many people only register and request documents when required for a specific reason, such as a visa application.
Any civil records documented only on rupee paper are not acceptable for immigration purposes.
Local Union Councils, Cantonment Boards, Municipal Corporations, the CDA (Islamabad only), and NADRA all issue civil documents.
Available
Fees: Fees vary by location.
Document Name: Birth Registration Certificate
Issuing Authority: Union Councils, Municipal Corporations, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and Cantonment Boards issue birth certificates.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: This varies by location.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Births should be registered with the applicable local government authority within two months.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants must visit their local government authority, fill out a form, and provide identification.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: In lieu of a birth certificate, Pakistanis may use a Child Registration Certificate (CRC – also known as a “B-form”) or a Family Registration Certificate (FRC), both obtained from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and both of which list family members and document each member’s relationship to the others.
Exceptions: None
Comments: In cases when the date of birth is at issue (such as age-limited immigrant visa classes), other contemporaneous documents such as school records can be used to verify inconsistent civil documents.
Available
Fees: Fees vary by location.
Document Name: Death Certificate
Issuing Authority: Union Councils, Cantonment Boards, Municipal Corporations and the CDA (for Islamabad only)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: This varies by location.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Deaths are registered with the applicable local government authority. There is no required time frame to register a death.
Procedure for Obtaining: A death certificate can be obtained from the local government authority based on proof of death. A report of death issued by a hospital is acceptable as proof of death for obtaining a death certificate. In cases where a death occurred at home, affidavits from close relatives or neighbors are required to register the death. In locations where a proper cemetery registration system exists, local authorities accept cemetery receipts as proof of death.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: Fees vary by location.
Document Name: Marriage Registration Certificate.
Issuing Authority: For Pakistani Muslim citizens, Union Councils, Municipal Corporations, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and Cantonment Boards register Nikah Nama documents and issue marriage registration certificates. Document formats vary from province to province.
Marriage registration certificates for all residents of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, plus Ahmadis, Christians, Hindus, Parsis and other citizens considered non-Muslim under Pakistani law are issued by their respective religious authority (i.e. mosque, church, or temple). Some Union Councils issue civil marriage registration certificates to Hindus and Christians.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies by location and religion.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: For Muslim applicants registering a Nikah Nama, the Secretary of the local government and the Nikah Registrar constitute the appropriate authorities. For non-Muslim applicants, priests or other religious leaders are considered appropriate issuing authorities.
Registration Criteria: For Muslim applicants, the Nikah Registrar signs and stamps four original Nikah Namas, submitting the first copy to the local government authority and providing the second and third copies to the bride and groom. The registrar keeps the fourth copy. The Nikah Registrar should register the marriage within two months. Upon registration, the local government authority issues the marriage certificate.
Applicants considered non-Muslim under Pakistani law do not uniformly register their marriages with the local Union Council.
Procedure for Obtaining: Muslim applicants can obtain a marriage certificate from their local government authority by presenting a handwritten Urdu language Nikah Nama.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: Fees vary by location.
Document Name: Divorce Registration Certificate
Issuing Authority: Union Councils, Municipal Corporations, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and Cantonment Boards.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: This varies by location.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The Chairman of the local government authority, who also often serves as the Head of the Arbitration Council.
Registration Criteria: Muslim divorces in Pakistan are subject to arbitration, and the process for divorce differs depending on whether it is initiated by the husband (Talaq) or the wife (Khula).
Procedure for Obtaining:
Talaq divorces: For husbands initiating a divorce, they must verbally divorce their wife by pronouncing “talaq” three times. As soon as possible, the divorcing husband must then give written notification to the applicable local government authority where the wife resides or where the wedding took place. Within 30 days of receipt of the notice of Talaq, the Chairman of the local government authority must constitute an Arbitration Council to seek reconciliation between the husband and wife. After the Council convenes, it must issue notices to both parties every month for three months to foster reconciliation. After three months (90 days), either party may request a failure of reconciliation certificate from the Arbitration Council, upon which date the divorce is considered final and valid.
Khula divorces: There are two possible procedures for Muslim women to obtain a Khula divorce. First, a husband can grant his wife the right of divorce by stating "yes" on line 18 of the Nikah Nama. If this right is granted, the wife follows the same procedure as the Talaq process described above. If the wife is not granted this right, she must bring her case to a Family Court to request the right to initiate a divorce. If her case is successful, the Family Court must submit its decision to the local government authority within seven days. If the court grants the divorce but does not notify the local government authority, it is incumbent upon the wife to do so herself to begin the divorce process. In either case, once the local government authority is notified of the court ruling, the Chairman will then initiate the Arbitration Council and follow the same procedures as described above for Talaq cases. If the parties reconcile during the arbitration process, however, the court decision will be null and void, and the couple will remain married.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: For immigration purposes, a Muslim divorce in Pakistan is only considered valid upon the completion of a 90-day period after the notice of divorce is delivered to the Union Council. The Divorce Registration Certificate will indicate if the divorce was a Talaq (initiated by the husband) or Khula (initiated by the wife). In all cases, copies of the arbitration notices should be available upon request.
If a Muslim husband and wife divorce and subsequently wish to remarry each other, the wife must have married another person in the interim. The interim marriage must have been consummated and represent a bona fide relationship and must be legally terminated by proper divorce proceedings or death before the re-marriage.
Procedures for properly executing a divorce for those considered to be non-Muslim differ and depend on the concerning religion’s norms. Typically, divorce certificates for other religions are issued by a Family Court after the filing of a legal case and are not uniformly registered with the local authorities.
Unavailable
Comments: Islamic law, and, as a result, Pakistani law, does not recognize adoption. Family courts can grant guardianship of a child to a non-parental adult. Grants of guardianship under Islamic sharia law do not create a legal permanent parent-child relationship. Therefore, affidavits or court documents claiming a child has been adopted in Pakistan are not acceptable for immigration purposes.
Due to the complicated nature of cases involving adults caring for non-biological children, those wishing to take children to the United States for purposes of finalizing adoptions should first contact an immigration attorney or the U.S. Embassy for more information.
Available
Fees: Click here (works best in Google Chrome browser).
Document Name: National Identity Card
Issuing Authority: NADRA
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Click here.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: NADRA
Registration Criteria: Click here.
Procedure for Obtaining: Click here.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: NADRA also issues National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) for Pakistanis working overseas and Pakistani Origin Cards (POC). POC holders do not need visas to come to Pakistan, but they need to maintain a valid passport in addition to their POC.
Comments: None
Unavailable
Comments: Pakistan lacks a national mechanism for tracking criminal activities. Police Character Certificates are available for a fee from Police Facilitation Centers. Each province has a criminal record management system, but these are not centrally integrated. Criminal histories are linked to offenders’ CNIC numbers and character certificates are issued by the office located in their parent district. Police certificates are not required for consular processing.
Available: Court records are available.
Fees: Fees vary by location.
Document Name: Court document
Issuing Authority: Court
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judge
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Records of court proceedings can be requested and obtained through the issuing court.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Unavailable: Prison records are unavailable.
Unavailable
Comments: However, upon discharge, retirement, or resignation from military service a discharge certificate is issued to military personnel.
Available
Fees: Click here (works best in Google Chrome browser).
Document Name: Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Directorate General of Immigration and Passports
Special Seal(s)/Color/Format: Diplomatic (red cover), Official (blue cover) and Ordinary (green cover)
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of Interior
Registration Criteria: Please click here.
Procedure for Obtaining: Please click here.
Alternate Documents: None.
Exceptions: Passports are valid for travel to all countries except Israel.
Comments: Pakistani passports are valid for five or ten years. Pakistani names are subject to a variety of combinations with no established surname rule. Individuals must provide documentation to NADRA and follow a specific process to legally change their name. This is generally allowed once in a person’s lifetime. It is not uncommon for birth dates to be changed and many older Pakistanis have a January 1 birthdate due to lack of historical record keeping. The essential element of identity is generally the name of the father and, in the case of a married woman, the name of the husband.
Diplomatic Passports (red cover): Issued to ambassadors, career diplomats, retired diplomats, heads of state of the government and federal ministers.
Official Passports (blue cover): Issued to members of the National Assembly and their immediate family members, high-ranking civil service personnel, children of diplomatic-passport holders, and military personnel traveling on official business.
Ordinary Passports (green cover): Issued to any qualifying citizen of Pakistan for private travel.
Educational documents, including primary and secondary school records, may serve to verify Pakistani citizens’ age and identity so long as they were created contemporaneously with the events recorded and not after the fact. While practices vary by institution, many private and public schools issue registration documents that list students’ date of birth and parentage. Citizens can obtain these documents by contacting their school’s registrar office.
Immunization records often list the date of birth, names and addresses of the child and parents. As such, these records can also be taken as secondary proof of these facts so long as the document was produced at the time of the recorded events.
Post Title: Islamabad, Pakistan (Embassy)
Address:
Diplomatic Enclave,
Ramna 5
Phone Number: (+92-51) 201-4000 Fax: (+92-51) 233-8071
Post Title: Karachi (Consulate)
Address:
Plot 3, 4, 5, New TPX Area
Mai Kolachi Road
Karachi, Pakistan
Phone Number: (+92-21) 3527-5000 Fax: (+92-21) 3527-5985
Visa Services: All categories, serves Pakistan and some citizens from Afghanistan, particularly those who are residents in Pakistan.
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Comments / Additional Information: None
Islamabad is the only location for immigrant visa processing in Pakistan. Islamabad also processes refugee and asylee follow-to-join beneficiaries for Afghanistan. In addition, Karachi services non-immigrant visa travelers living in Sindh and Balochistan provinces. Applications must be submitted through the CGI office in Karachi.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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