Security Regulations

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Overview

You are not allowed to enter the U.S. Embassy or Consulate while carrying any of the following items:

  • Mobile devices, Cell Phones, Tablets, Smart Watches, electronic access or keys with remotes 
  • Battery-operated or electronic devices, or any photographic equipment
  • Large shoulder bags/purses - only bags that can be carried by hand will be permitted
  • Bags such as travel bags, backpacks, briefcases, suitcases, leather, cloth bags, and zip folders - you can only carry plastic bags containing application-related papers
  • Food and liquid items
  • Sealed envelopes or packages
  • Cigarettes, cigars, match boxes, lighters
  • Sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail files
  • Weapons or explosive materials of any kind
  • Cosmetics (including but not limited to spray perfume/cologne and talcum/baby powder)

This list is not exhaustive. Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of security staff.

The Embassy/Consulate does not have any storage available for holding applicants’ cell phones or any of the other above-listed prohibited items. Applicants should make arrangements to store these items in their home, office, vehicle, or at the shuttle service stop before arriving at the Embassy/Consulate. If you bring prohibited items with you to the Embassy/Consulate, you will be returned to your vehicle or the shuttle stop to secure these items.

Please Note:
Visa applicants scheduled for the U.S. Embassy, Islamabad

Due to security considerations, there is no information window for walk-in visitors at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. Only visa applicants with scheduled interviews at the U.S. Embassy will be admitted.  Any additional person or interested party accompanying the visa applicant will be denied entry except in the following situations:

  • One parent may optionally accompany minors less than 18 years old.  One parent is required to be accompanying children younger than 14 years.
  • Applicants with medical conditions or difficulty walking may bring one family member to assist.  

No advance permission from the Embassy is required for a single family member accompanying in any of the above situations.    

Visa Applicants scheduled for the U.S. Consulate, Karachi

Applicants with appointments at Consulate General Karachi, may apply to bring an attendant in cases where the applicant is a minor (under 18 years of age) or has a physical disability.  Only one attendant is allowed per applicant. Requests to accompany a minor or disabled applicant must be submitted 24 business hours in advance of the visa appointment through mail to KRCVisaAttendant@state.gov .

Please note that requests which are submitted late will not be approved. Applicants may be asked to reschedule their appointments if their attendant request is not submitted on time. The Consulate reserves the right to refuse an attendant request.