US and Canada business travel guides from Pakistan
North America rewards companies that plan early. Visa interview waits, long flights and big trade shows shape every trip. Our guides cover the US and Canadian visa routes, seven cities Pakistani companies visit most, and the main 2027 shows, each with the date it was checked.
US or Canada: the visa routes side by side
| Country | Route for Pakistanis | Timing | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | B-1/B-2 visitor visa: DS-160, US$185 fee, interview in Islamabad or Karachi | About 7–7.5 months’ interview wait when checked | US$185 |
| Canada | Visitor visa online with IRCC, biometrics in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi | About 58 days (IRCC, 4 Nov 2026) | CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics |
How to plan a North America trip from Pakistan
Start with the visa, not the flight. The US visitor visa needs an interview in Islamabad or Karachi, and waits were around seven months at both posts when we checked. Canada’s visitor visa is applied for online, with biometrics at a centre in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi, and IRCC estimated 58 days in early November 2026. A trip that combines both countries needs two visas and two timelines.
Flights take 16 to 24 hours with one stop, usually through the Gulf, Istanbul or Europe, and the time difference is nine to thirteen hours. Allow a day to recover before important meetings, and group meetings by city to avoid long internal flights.
Frequent travellers should keep their visas valid. A multiple-entry US visa or Canadian visa that is still valid turns a six-month wait into a two-week booking, so we track expiry dates and start renewals early.
US city guides
New York
Brands, banks, the UN and MAGIC New York.
Open guideChicago
McCormick Place and Midwest buyers.
Open guideHouston
Energy companies and OTC.
Open guideSan Francisco
Tech clients and investors.
Open guideWashington DC
IMF, World Bank and policy meetings.
Open guideLas Vegas
CES, MAGIC and convention hotels.
Open guideUS business visa (B-1)
DS-160, fees and interview waits.
Open guideCES guide
The January technology show.
Open guideMAGIC guide
The apparel sourcing show.
Open guideNorth American shows in 2027
| Show | Dates |
|---|---|
| CES, Las Vegas | 6–9 January 2027 |
| MAGIC New York | 7–9 February 2027 |
| MAGIC Las Vegas | 16–18 February 2027 |
| OTC, Houston | 3–5 May 2027 |
Planning long-haul trips, 24/7
Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips, including trade-show teams, client visits and training trips to North America. We plan the visa route first, then flights, hotels and ground transport, and our team works 24/7 for travellers already on the road, which matters when they are nine to thirteen hours behind Pakistan.
North America travel questions
How early should we plan a US trip?
For travellers without a valid US visa, six to nine months ahead. Interview waits in Islamabad and Karachi were around seven months when we checked.
Does a US visa let me enter Canada?
No. Canada needs its own visitor visa, applied for online with biometrics in Pakistan.
Can I use ESTA or an eTA?
No. Pakistani passport holders are not eligible for the US ESTA or the Canadian eTA.
Do these guides replace official advice?
No. Each guide lists its official sources and the date checked. Rules change, so we confirm them for every trip.
Planning a North America business trip?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips, and our team works 24/7 for travellers on the road. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.