US Visa Application Procedure

From Foreignliving

As of June 2006, all applicants for non-immigrant visas are handled by the Public Services Centers nominated by the U.S. Embassy, which is American Express in case of Lahore (probably all of Pakistan). The visa application fee of Rs. 7,000 is non-refundable. American Express delivers the passports to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. This document explains the whole process:

The customer walks in to the American Express office to submit his/her passport for a non-immigrant visa. Documents required at the time of submission include:

• Passport of each applicant valid for at least 6 months.
• All relevant U.S. visa application forms duly filled out.
• One 2" x 2" (50mm x 50mm) photograph, wich both ears viisble, heard uncovered and front view. The photograph should be in matte finish with white background. More details on the photograph can be found on the U.S. Department of State's page on Nonimmigrant Visa Photograph Requirements.
• ONE supporting document, maximum ONE page long (bank statement/invitation letter/job letter etc.) All other supporting documents should be taken to Islamabad at the time of the interview.

Passports and application forms are sent to the U.S. Embassy the next day. THe pasport comes back in seven to ten working days with an "INTERVIEW REQUIRED" stamp. All candidates have to go for the interview to Islamabad with no exceptions.

Once the passport returns, the applicant will receive the visa interview date from American Express if one is available at the time. F1/F2 and J1/J2 visa applicants have a walk-in interview and do not require to schedule one. These visa category applicants can go to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad from Monday to Friday during working hours for their interview. All applicants proceeding for the U.S. Embassy must go to the Convention Center in Islamabad, from where they will be taken to the Embassy via shuttle service.

The U.S. visa fee and the American Express service charges are Rs. 6,000 and Rs. 1,000 respectively, amounting to a total fo Rs. 7,000 (non-refundable).

Contact information of American Express

American Express has offices in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. For inquiries, call 111-786-111 for all three offices.

Lahore
Address: 112 Rafi Mantion, Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Lahore.
Directions: Near "Rado" on the Mall Road.
Tel: (042) 6279230 (5 lines)
Fax: (042) 6362048

Karachi
Address: Shaheen Complex, Ground Floor, Dr. Ziauddin Road, Karachi.
Tel: (021) 2630280 (20 lines)
Fax: (021) 2635598

Islamabad
Address: 1-E Ali Plaza, Blue Area, Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad.
Tel: (051) 2272425 (10 lines)
Fax: (052) 2828783