![US Consulate in Karachi issues 14,000 visas](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2016/07/_2/740x404/pic_1469196785.jpg)
US Consulate In Karachi Issues 14,000 Visas
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published July 22, 2016 | 07:13 PM
![US Consulate in Karachi issues 14,000 visas](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2016/07/_2/740x404/pic_1469196785.jpg)
KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22th july, 2016) : The U.S. Consulate Karachi has issued 14,000 visas to tourists, students, business travelers and workers this year so far. A statement here on Friday said that the Consulate's Consular Section has opened its doors to members of the media to showcase its visa operations.
It said that the tour was designed to provide greater information to Pakistanis about U.S. visa operations and procedures, said a statement on Friday. "We want to give all visa applicants fast, friendly and fair interviews," said Nonimmigrant Visa Chief Mary Pellegrini, "so legitimate travelers can go to the United States, while still ensuring that we protect U.S.
citizens and visitors." Currently, it takes one day on average to get a visa appointment and most visas are processed and returned to applicants within 48 hours. Consular officers ask questions at interviews to evaluate eligibility under U.S.
immigration law. So far in 2016, Consulate General Karachi has issued more than 14,000 visas to tourists, students, business travellers, and workers. In 2015, Mission Pakistan (Embassy Islamabad and Consulate Karachi) issued a total of 72,000 such visas; 64,000 were issued in 2014.
There is no limit to the number of visitor, student or business (non-immigrant) visas that can be issued, unlike immigrant visas where there is a yearly quota. Last year, 14,400 Pakistanis immigrated to the United States and 104,000 have gained American citizenship in the past 10 years.
Because of these high immigration levels, Pakistanis are no longer eligible for diversity visas, which are granted to only those nations with historically low rates of immigration. US Consulate Karachi, therefore, cautioned against sending money to those claiming to be able to provide such visas.
Check out the Consulate's fraud warning message at the following link: http://karachi.usconsulate.gov/fraudwarning.html According to Ms. Pellegrini, consular officers speak English and Urdu and interpretation services for many other languages, such as Sindhi, Punjabi and Pashto, are also available. `Those interested in applying for a visa can go to http://karachi.usconsulate.gov/visas.html for further information.
The site also contains information about how to pay the required visa application fee as well as booking an interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy Islamabad or U.S. Consulate General Karachi.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
![Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019914.jpg)
Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard
![Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on refor ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019922.jpg)
Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on reform agenda, engagement with IMF
![Finland says Russian vessel violated its territori ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019912.jpg)
Finland says Russian vessel violated its territorial waters
![Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019266.jpg)
Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine
![West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019264.jpg)
West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third Test
![Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murde ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019262.jpg)
Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murder of nationalist ex-MP
![Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris ope ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019015.jpg)
Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris opening ceremony
![Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inau ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019638.jpg)
Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inauguration reception
![Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Z ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019637.jpg)
Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Zardari at Governor's House
![Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympi ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019635.jpg)
Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympic coach sent home: official
![Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fi ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019013.jpg)
Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fighting against SL
!['Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019634.jpg)
'Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: What we know
More Stories From Pakistan
-
NDMA Advisory: More Monsoon Rains-wind, Thundershowers from July 28-31
6 hours ago -
Armed Forces, tri services chiefs pay homage to Captain Sarwar Shaheed
6 hours ago -
Agriculture dept inks agreement with Bakhabar Kissan
6 hours ago -
Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inauguration reception
7 hours ago -
Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Zardari at Governor's House
7 hours ago -
Balochistan CM announce depoliticizing of police, Levies force
7 hours ago
-
PTI creating unrest, halting economic progress in country: MNA
7 hours ago -
ISSI holds webinar on “Elections in Iran : Regional and International Insights”
7 hours ago -
ECP defers written test for seats of election officers
7 hours ago -
PN assists in firefighting, evacuation efforts for stranded civilians of Kashif Centre fire incident
7 hours ago -
Women's rights protection is govt's top priority. Hina Parvez Butt
7 hours ago -
"We stand in solidarity with Azma Bokhari”: Secretary Women’s Parliamentary Caucus
7 hours ago