The United States Mission in Pakistan recently extended interview waiver eligibility for eligible Pakistani nationals to renew B1B2 tourist and business visas, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In a series of tweets, the US Mission has started a question-and-answer sequence for facilitating the Pakistan nationals who are renewing B1/B2 tourist and business visas.   

In seven out of the total ten questions, a female applicant asked when she got a US tourist visa, she was unmarried. “Now, I am married and my name has legally changed. Can I still benefit from the interview waiver?”

In reply, the US visa officer congratulating her on marriage said that unfortunately no. If your name, place of birth or date of birth, and nationality have been changed after marriage, you have to appear for an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad or Consulate General in Karachi, the visa officer added.  

https://twitter.com/usembislamabad/status/1632682820240916480

It is pertinent that the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad recently extended interview waiver eligibility for Pakistanis.

All Pakistani citizens, regardless of age, whose B1/B2 visas are valid or have expired within the last 48 months are eligible to participate. Previously, only Pakistani citizens of ages 45 and older were eligible to participate.

 Additionally, interview waiver eligibility for student and petition-based work visa applicants who have previously held a U.S. visa is also extended through 2023.

The expansion of interview waiver eligibility is a procedural change to provide better customer service and more efficiently process renewals of tourist and business visas for qualified and eligible Pakistani citizens.  As required by U.S. law, some eligible visa holders may be required to appear at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General for interviews after submission of their applications.