US business visa (B-1) from Pakistan: the DS-160 and the interview
Business visitors from Pakistan travel on the B-1 visa, normally issued together with B-2 as a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The process is simple on paper, but long interview waits mean that timing, not paperwork, is the hardest part.
US (B-1) business visa for Pakistani passport holders
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visa type | B-1/B-2 visitor visa. B-1 covers meetings, negotiations, conferences and trade fairs; it does not allow paid work in the US. |
| Form | The DS-160 online application, with its confirmation page printed. |
| Fee | US$185 per applicant, non-refundable, paid before booking the interview. The payment is valid for 365 days. |
| Where | The US Embassy in Islamabad (immigrant and non-immigrant visas) or the Consulate General in Karachi (non-immigrant visas only). |
| Wait times | The State Department’s tool showed about 7.5 months for Islamabad and 7 months for Karachi when we checked. They change often. |
| Integrity fee | A US$250 visa integrity fee is in US law, but it was not in the US Mission Pakistan fee schedule when we checked. |
| ESTA | Not available. Pakistan is not in the Visa Waiver Program. |
Which route fits your trip
Almost every business trip to the US from Pakistan uses the B-1/B-2 visitor visa. It allows consulting with business associates, negotiating contracts, attending conferences and trade fairs, and settling an estate, but not working for a US company or being paid from a US source. If the trip involves hands-on work, such as installing equipment beyond what a sales contract allows or working on a project, another visa type may be needed.
The steps are the same for everyone: complete the DS-160, pay the fee on the official scheduling site linked from the US Embassy’s website, book an interview in Islamabad or Karachi, and attend with your passport and documents. Most applicants need an in-person interview, and since September 2025 interview waivers have been much more limited.
Because waits were around seven months when we checked, the realistic plan for most companies is to apply as soon as a US trip is likely, not when it is confirmed. A visa issued for Pakistani nationals can be valid for multiple entries over several years, so frequent travellers should renew well before expiry.
What a strong file usually contains
Every case is different; this is the base list we start from.
- A valid passport, with at least six months’ validity beyond the planned stay
- The DS-160 confirmation page and the fee receipt
- The interview appointment letter
- An employer letter stating your role, salary, the purpose of the trip and who pays
- An invitation from the US company or a conference or trade-fair registration
- Company documents, such as registration, tax returns and export records
- Personal bank statements and evidence of ties to Pakistan
- Previous passports with travel history
How the application runs
DS-160
Complete the online form carefully; it is the basis of the interview.
Fee
Pay US$185 on the official scheduling site.
Book
Choose Islamabad or Karachi and the earliest suitable date.
Interview
Attend with your passport and documents; answer clearly and honestly.
Passport
If approved, the passport is returned with the visa.
Why files get refused or returned
Most refusals are under section 214(b): the officer is not convinced the visit is temporary or that the applicant has strong ties to Pakistan.
- A DS-160 that does not match the documents or the answers at interview
- A vague purpose, such as “meetings” with no company names or dates
- Weak evidence of employment, business ownership or finances
- Previous overstays or immigration problems in any country
- Not knowing the details of the trip or the business
Before you fly and at the border
Check the visa type, validity and number of entries as soon as the passport is returned. At the US border, an officer decides on entry and the length of stay, recorded on your I-94 record; carry the invitation, hotel booking and return ticket.
Leave on time. Overstaying even briefly can cancel the visa and make future applications harder.
US (B-1) visa questions
How long does a US visa take from Pakistan?
The main delay is the interview wait. When we checked, the State Department showed about 7.5 months for Islamabad and 7 months for Karachi.
Can I apply for ESTA instead?
No. Pakistan is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Pakistani passport holders need a visa.
Is there a US$250 visa integrity fee?
It is in US law, but it was not in the US Mission Pakistan fee schedule when we checked. Pay only what the official site asks for.
Can I attend a trade fair on a B-1/B-2 visa?
Yes. Trade fairs, conferences, meetings and negotiations are allowed. Paid work in the US is not.
More guides: industries and visa how-tos
Planning a US (B-1) 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.