On March 9 the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad announced an immediate cancellation of every immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointment scheduled in Pakistan from March 9 to 13, citing “operational considerations.” The notice extends previous short-term suspensions and applies to the embassy as well as the consulates in Karachi and Lahore. Applicants will receive rescheduling instructions by email once normal operations resume, but no timeline was provided. American Citizen Services remain open for routine and emergency U.S.-citizen assistance. The move comes against a backdrop of elevated security alerts in the region following a surge in militant attacks along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border. Pakistani travel agencies report that more than 6,000 interview slots—many for H-1B professionals and family-reunion cases—are affected.
![U.S. Embassy Islamabad Cancels All Visa Interviews Through March 13 Amid Security Concerns]()
During this period of uncertainty, VisaHQ can help travelers monitor evolving appointment availability and prepare complete application packets in advance; its U.S. visa portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) consolidates real-time consular requirements and offers live expert guidance, making it easier to pivot to alternate posts once new interview slots open.
Business-mobility teams should expect cascading delays: PIMS verification for approved petitions will back up, 221(g) cases will sit unprocessed, and summer-rotation timelines for assignees may slip into FY 2027. Consider redirecting Pakistani talent to third-country posts such as Abu Dhabi or Singapore, but factor in additional DS-160 review and security-clearance times. Applicants already in Pakistan should not travel to interview sites during the suspension; embassy security advises individuals to await email instructions and monitor @usembislamabad on X for updates.
During this period of uncertainty, VisaHQ can help travelers monitor evolving appointment availability and prepare complete application packets in advance; its U.S. visa portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) consolidates real-time consular requirements and offers live expert guidance, making it easier to pivot to alternate posts once new interview slots open.
Business-mobility teams should expect cascading delays: PIMS verification for approved petitions will back up, 221(g) cases will sit unprocessed, and summer-rotation timelines for assignees may slip into FY 2027. Consider redirecting Pakistani talent to third-country posts such as Abu Dhabi or Singapore, but factor in additional DS-160 review and security-clearance times. Applicants already in Pakistan should not travel to interview sites during the suspension; embassy security advises individuals to await email instructions and monitor @usembislamabad on X for updates.
