US Consulate Karachi Visa Appointment Cancellation Update 2026

US Consulate Karachi visa appointment cancellation has sent shockwaves through the Pakistani applicant community. All visa interview appointments at the US Consulate General in Karachi have been cancelled through March 6, 2026, affecting thousands of Pakistani applicants who had booked or were planning to book their B1/B2 interview slots. If you are one of the many applicants impacted by this US Consulate Karachi visa appointment cancellation, this comprehensive guide explains what happened, how your appointment is being rescheduled, what to do if you were affected, and how to navigate the situation to minimise delays to your US visa application.

The US Consulate General in Karachi has cancelled all visa appointments through March 2026

What Happened: US Consulate Karachi Appointment Cancellation Explained

The US Consulate General in Karachi announced a blanket cancellation of all scheduled visa interview appointments through March 6, 2026. This decision affects Pakistani applicants who had booked B1/B2 (business/tourist) visa interviews, as well as other non-immigrant visa categories processed at the Karachi consulate. The cancellation was communicated through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) and the appointment scheduling system, with affected applicants receiving email notifications about the cancellation.

The US Embassy in Islamabad continues to operate normally, and applicants with appointments at the Islamabad location are not affected by this cancellation. However, many Pakistani applicants — particularly those from Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab — rely on the Karachi consulate for convenience, and this disruption has created significant logistical challenges.

Automatic Rescheduling: What You Need to Know

The US Embassy has implemented an automatic rescheduling process for affected applicants. Here is how it works:

How Automatic Rescheduling Works

1. Automatic cancellation — All appointments at the Karachi consulate through March 6, 2026 are automatically cancelled in the system.
2. New slot assignment — The system will attempt to assign you a new interview slot at the earliest available date. This may be at the Karachi consulate (when it reopens) or at the US Embassy in Islamabad.
3. Email notification — You will receive an email notification with your new appointment details. Monitor your email inbox (including spam/junk folders) closely.
4. No action required — For most applicants, no action is required on your part. The rescheduling is automatic.

Affected applicants will be automatically rescheduled for the earliest available interview slot

Timeline for Rescheduled Appointments

The US Embassy has indicated that rescheduled appointments will be assigned within 2-4 weeks of the original appointment date. However, due to the volume of affected applications, some applicants may experience longer wait times. Here is what to expect:

What Should You Do If Your Appointment Was Cancelled?

While the rescheduling is automatic, there are several steps you should take to protect your application and minimise delays:

Immediate Steps

Can You Manually Reschedule to Islamabad?

Yes. If you cannot wait for the Karachi consulate to reopen, you can request to have your appointment transferred to the US Embassy in Islamabad. To do this:

1. Log into the CEAC appointment system using your DS-160 barcode and passport number.
2. Select "Request Appointment Transfer" and choose Islamabad as your preferred location.
3. Submit the request — The system will process your transfer within 3-5 business days.
4. Wait for confirmation — You will receive an email with your new Islamabad appointment details.

Note that Islamabad appointment slots may also have wait times of 2-4 months, so transferring does not guarantee an earlier interview. However, it gives you flexibility and avoids dependence on the Karachi consulate reopening schedule. For tips on maximising your interview chances, read our complete USA visit visa for Pakistani guide.

Impact on Your USA Visit Visa Application

The US Consulate Karachi visa appointment cancellation has several implications for your application timeline and strategy:

DS-160 Validity

Your DS-160 application remains valid regardless of the appointment cancellation. The DS-160 does not expire due to consulate-side scheduling issues. However, if your DS-160 was submitted more than 12 months ago, you may need to complete a new one. Check the submission date on your confirmation page.

MRV Fee Validity

The MRV application fee (USD 185 / approximately PKR 51,800) is valid for one year from the date of payment. If your fee was paid recently, it remains valid for your rescheduled interview. If your fee is approaching the one-year mark, contact the US Embassy to confirm its validity. For a complete fee breakdown, see our USA visit visa fee guide.

Document Freshness

Some documents have expiry dates that may be affected by the delay:

Keep your documents updated and ready during the appointment rescheduling period

Alternative Options for Affected Applicants

If the delay caused by the US Consulate Karachi visa appointment cancellation is unacceptable for your travel plans, consider these alternatives:

Option 1: Transfer to Islamabad Embassy

As detailed above, you can request an appointment transfer to the US Embassy in Islamabad. This is the most straightforward option and allows you to maintain your place in the queue. The Islamabad embassy processes a higher volume of applications and may have more flexible scheduling.

Option 2: Apply for Interview Waiver (Drop-Box)

Certain applicants may qualify for an interview waiver (commonly called "drop-box" processing). You may be eligible if:

• You are renewing a US visa that expired within the last 12 months
• You were between 14-79 years of age at the time of your previous visa issuance
• You are applying for the same visa category as your previous visa
• You have never been refused a US visa
• You have no prior immigration violations

Interview waiver eligibility is determined automatically when you schedule your appointment. If you qualify, you can submit your documents at a VFS Global centre without attending an in-person interview. Check current eligibility on the US Embassy website.

Option 3: Rebook at the Earliest Available Slot

If neither transfer nor interview waiver works for your situation, the best approach is to rebook at the earliest available slot once the system opens new appointments. Monitor the CEAC scheduling system daily — new slots are typically released on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings (Pakistan time). For strategies on booking the earliest slots, read our USA visit visa interview preparation guide.

Why Was the Karachi Consulate Closed?

The US Consulate General in Karachi has not publicly disclosed the specific reason for the extended closure. Consulate closures for visa processing can occur due to several factors:

• Security concerns — The US Consulate in Karachi has faced security threats in the past, leading to temporary closures.
• Staffing transitions — Consular staffing rotations and personnel changes can temporarily reduce processing capacity.
• Infrastructure maintenance — Facility upgrades or security enhancements may require temporary closure.
• Administrative backlog — Processing backlogs may lead to temporary appointment freezes to clear accumulated cases.

Regardless of the reason, the US Embassy in Islamabad remains fully operational and continues to process visa applications for all categories. Pakistani applicants from all provinces can apply through Islamabad if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your USA Visa Strategy

The US Consulate Karachi visa appointment cancellation is a reminder that visa processing timelines can change unexpectedly. Here are strategic takeaways for all USA visa applicants:

• Book early — Always schedule your interview appointment as early as possible. The sooner you have a confirmed slot, the more protected you are against unexpected cancellations.
• Keep documents fresh — Maintain updated bank statements, employment letters, and travel bookings. Documents should always be within their validity window.
• Have a backup plan — Consider the Islamabad embassy as a backup location if Karachi is your primary choice.
• Use the Visa Lab — Our Visa Lab profile audit ensures your application is strong regardless of which consulate processes it.
• Stay informed — Follow official US Embassy announcements and check the Make Sense Travels blog for the latest updates.

For a complete walkthrough of the USA visit visa process, from DS-160 to interview to decision, read our comprehensive USA visit visa for Pakistani 2026 guide. If you have been affected by this cancellation and need help with your application strategy, visit our Visa Lab for a personalised assessment.

Related Guides

Stay updated with the latest USA visa news and prepare your application with our expert guides:

• USA Visit Visa for Pakistani 2026 — Complete guide to DS-160, interview preparation, and approval strategies
• Canada Visa for Pakistani 2026 — Explore Canada as an alternative while your US application is pending
• Schengen Visit Visa from Pakistan — Build travel history with a European trip
• UK Visit Visa for Pakistani 2026 — Compare UK and US visa requirements
• Dubai Visit Visa for Pakistani 2026 — Quick visa option to build travel history

This guide was last updated in June 2026 based on official US Department of State announcements, US Embassy Islamabad notices, and Make Sense Travels case studies. Always verify current appointment availability on the official CEAC website and check the US Embassy website for the latest updates. For help navigating the appointment rescheduling process, visit our Visa Lab.