United States visa category
F1 student
Degree and language programmes with an issued I 20. This free guide explains the published route for Pakistani passport holders. AGOG plans travel, not visa decisions.
Degree and language programmes with an issued I 20
Who this category is for
Degree and language programmes with an issued I 20
Application route
Online DS 160 form, fee payment, then a biometrics appointment and a consular interview
Where it is submitted
US Embassy Islamabad and the Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore
Typical processing
Interview slot dependent
Stay and validity
B1 and B2 visas are usually issued for five years multiple entry, with the length of each stay set by the officer at the port of entry, commonly up to six months
Biometrics
Fingerprints and photograph are captured at the applicant service centre before the interview day.
Interview
A personal interview at the consulate is required for nearly all first time applicants.
Insurance
Not required for the visa, but medical cover is essential in practice given United States healthcare costs.
Document checklist
What the f1 student application normally needs
Use this as a preparation guide, then confirm every item on the official link because a mission can request additional evidence for an individual case.
Personal documents
- Passport valid at least six months beyond your intended return, with two blank pages
- All previous passports carrying earlier visas and travel stamps
- Recent photographs on a white background to the exact mission specification
- Computerised national identity card, original and photocopy
- Completed and signed application form
- DS 160 confirmation page with the barcode
- Visa fee payment receipt
- Interview appointment letter
Financial documents
- Six months personal bank statement, stamped and attested by the branch
- Bank maintenance certificate issued within the last two weeks
- Tax return acknowledgement or national tax number certificate
- Evidence of any property, vehicle or investment holdings
Employment or business documents
- Employment letter on company letterhead confirming post, salary, service length and approved leave
- Last three salary slips for salaried applicants
- Business registration, chamber of commerce membership and company bank statement for self employed applicants
- Student enrolment letter and leave permission for students
Travel documents
- Confirmed return flight reservation, not a purchased ticket unless the mission asks for one
- Hotel booking or host address covering every night of the stay
- Day by day travel plan consistent with the booking dates
- Cover letter explaining the purpose of travel and how it is funded
- Outline itinerary, the consulate does not require paid tickets
Case specific documents
- Invitation letter and host identity or residence proof for family and friend visits
- Sponsor bank statement and relationship evidence where the trip is sponsored
- Marriage certificate and family registration certificate for spouse or family travel
- Birth certificate, parental consent and guardianship papers for travellers under eighteen
- I 20 form and SEVIS receipt for students
- Invitation from a United States company for business travel
Financial evidence
The officer wants to see that the trip is affordable without hardship and that your income has a visible, lawful source. A sponsor in the United States helps but never replaces your own ties to Pakistan.
Official fees
B1 and B2 visitor visa application
USD 185
approximately PKR 52,000
F1 student visa application
USD 185
approximately PKR 52,000
SEVIS fee for students
USD 350
approximately PKR 98,000
Petition based work visas
USD 205 and above
approximately PKR 58,000 and above
Fees are set by the mission and revised without notice, and they are paid by you directly to the mission or its official application centre. Always confirm the current amount on the official page linked below before paying anything.
Before you apply
Common refusal risks to understand
No travel agency can influence or guarantee a decision. These are practical issues to review before you submit your own application.
Why files fail
Section 214(b), failure to overcome the presumption of immigrant intent
Answers on employment, family, property and reason to return need to be immediate and consistent. Rehearsing them out loud beforehand is the single best preparation.
Why files fail
Answers that contradict the DS 160
Keep a copy of the submitted DS 160 and read it again before the interview, so nothing said at the window contradicts it.
Why files fail
Purpose of travel that sounds vague
One clear, specific and provable reason for the trip, stated the same way every time you are asked.
Why files fail
Weak or freshly funded bank account
Statements are read for stability, not just the closing figure. If the balance was topped up last week, it is usually worth waiting a cycle before applying.
Why files fail
Travel purpose not credible against the documents
The cover letter, the itinerary and the funding all have to tell the same story. Any gap between them is what a case officer notices first.
Questions
United States f1 student questions
How long is the interview wait in Pakistan?
It moves constantly and can range from weeks to many months depending on the post and the visa class. Live availability for Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi is published on the official appointment service linked below.
Can I reapply after a 214(b) refusal?
Yes, at any time, but only reapply when something material has changed. Submitting the same case again usually produces the same result.
Do you attend the interview with me?
No. Consular interviews are private and only the applicant attends.
Please read this first
AGOG Travel Solutions is a travel agency. We do not issue visas, we are not an immigration adviser, and we are not affiliated with any embassy, consulate or government. Every application is made by the traveller directly to the mission or its official application centre, and every official fee is paid to them. What we publish here is guidance on what each mission asks for. What we sell is the trip itself: flights, hotels, transfers, tours and travel insurance.
Rules, fees, eligibility and timelines can change without notice. The linked official source is the final authority for your application.
United States travel planning
Plan the journey around your dates
Once you understand the official requirements, AGOG can arrange the flights, hotels, transfers, tours and travel insurance for the trip itself.