Islamabad, Pakistan:The United States of America has reduced Visa Validity Periods for citizens of Pakistan including Journalists intending to visit US for media related assignments.
According to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Islamabad on March 5, 2019, new rules are effective from January 21, 2019.
Statement maintained that the validity periods of the visas will decrease and the new validity periods will be:
a. I visas: 3 months
b. H visas: 12 months
c. L visas: 12 months
d. R visas: 12 months
Moreover, an additional fee will be charged for H (Temporary Work Visa), I (Journalist and Media Visa), L (Intercompany Transfer Visa), and R (Religious Worker Visa) visas ONLY if the visa application is approved and must be paid at the Embassy Islamabad or Consulate General Karachi prior to visa issuance.
The fees will be:
I Visas $32
H, L, R Visas $38
Statement said that during a recent worldwide review, the Department of State noted discrepancies between the U.S. visa regime and the visa regimes of many countries, including Pakistan. Because Pakistan was unable to liberalize its visa regime for certain visa categories, the United States was required by U.S. law on January 21st to reduce the visa validity and increase the visa fees to match Pakistan’s practices for similar visa categories.
