The US Embassy in Islamabad has cancelled all immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments scheduled between March 9 and March 13. The announcement was issued by the embassy on Sunday, leaving many applicants waiting for new interview dates.
Officials said affected applicants will receive instructions through email about how their appointments will be rescheduled.
In its statement, the embassy clarified that the temporary suspension applies only to visa appointments. Routine and emergency consular services for American citizens living in Pakistan will continue without interruption during this period.
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad will continue to serve U.S. citizens requiring routine and emergency services. All immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments are cancelled for March 9-13. Visa applicants will receive instructions by email on rescheduling their appointments. All… pic.twitter.com/8ATavoIum5
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) March 8, 2026
Applicants who had interviews planned for the coming days have been advised to regularly check their email inboxes for updates and new appointment schedules.
The embassy also noted that consular services at the United States Consulate General Karachi and United States Consulate General Lahore remain suspended. Officials did not provide a clear timeline for when normal operations at these two consulates will resume.
The decision comes at a time when tensions across parts of the Middle East have been increasing.
Amid these developments, the US Department of State earlier ordered the departure of non-emergency government staff and eligible family members from American consulates in Lahore and Karachi. The step was announced in an updated travel advisory issued this week.
Pakistan currently remains under a Level 3 travel advisory, meaning travellers are advised to reconsider visiting the country due to security concerns linked to broader regional tensions.
