Pakistan has expressed hope that the United States will resume routine immigrant visa processing soon, following Washington’s announcement this week that it is pausing immigrant visa issuance for Pakistan and 74 other countries as part of a broader review of its immigration policies.
The US State Department said it will suspend immigrant visa processing starting January 21, affecting nations including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan and others, in a move linked to concerns that migrants from these countries may become dependent on public benefits.
Responding to the announcement on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad is in contact with US authorities to seek further details and clarity on the decision. He described the suspension as part of an internal review of immigration policies and systems and expressed optimism that routine processing of immigrant visas will resume soon.
Andrabi noted that Pakistan is closely monitoring developments and has been engaging with Washington to understand how the pause might affect its citizens. He emphasised that the situation is evolving and that both sides are in communication.
The visa pause is expected to impact thousands of Pakistanis who currently apply for immigrant visas each year for purposes such as family reunification, work and long‑term relocation. However, non‑immigrant visas — such as tourist, business and student visas — are not part of the current suspension.