US sharply reduces visa duration for Pakistani citizens from 5 years to 3 months

Added to the reduction in duration, the US government has also increased the visa application fees for the Pakistani citizens to USD 192 from USD 160.

Image: Representational (AFP)

New Delhi: In a major step by the US immigration against, the visa duration of Pakistani nationals has been drastically reduced to three months from five years, said a US embassy spokesperson in Pakistan. The new visa policy also takes in its purview the journalists of Pakistan. As per ARY News, the Pakistani journalists will also be issued visa for a period of three months. Added to the reduction in duration, the US government has also increased the visa application fees for the Pakistani citizens to USD 192 from USD 160. The move was announced on Tuesday and it comes after Pakistan took reciprocal steps in modifying the visa policy for US citizens, including reduction of visa duration and a hike in application fee for the visa, reports said. The move however will not be applicable to government officials. They will be issued visas keeping in view of their working period by the US administration, said the report. Last year, similar steps were taken from both sides, with Pakistan foreign ministry announcing travel restrictions of US diplomats after the US had imposed similar restriction on Pakistani diplomats that month. The US government had stated that Pakistani diplomats at its embassy in Washington DC and consulates will not be allowed to travel over 40 km from their posts without prior permission, according to ARY News. In the wake of Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir, in which 40 Indian CRPF soldiers were killed, US has been strongly reiterating that Pakistan should stop providing safe haven to terrorists.