Visas for Applicants under 14 and over 79

On this page:

Overview

Non Immigrant Visa Interview Waivers for Applicants Under 14 and Over 79

Please review this information for the requirements of nonimmigrant visa interview exemption for applicants under 14 years of age and over 79 years of age at any U.S Consular office in Pakistan (Islamabad or Karachi). Presently visa applicants of B (B1, B2 & B1/B2), F (F1 & F2), M (M1 & M2), J (J1 & J2), H4 & P4 visa categories only fall under this programme.

Requirements

Applicants under 14 years of age or over 79 years of age from the date of submission are exempt from the requirement of a nonimmigrant visa interview. All other rules, requirements and fees for those under 14 years of age and over 79 years of age remain in effect.

Eligibility criteria for children under 14 years of age:

  • I am applying before my 14th birthday;
  • My most recent visa application was not refused;
  • Either one or both of my parents hold a valid visa, or, one or both of my parents are applying for their visa renewal; and I am applying together for the same visa class;
  • I am a Pakistani Citizen applying with a Pakistani Passport.
Eligibility criteria for applicants over 79 years of age:
  • I am applying on or after my 80th birthday;
  • My most recent visa application was not refused;
  • I am a Pakistani Citizen applying with a Pakistani Passport.

Note: Using the interview waiver service does not guarantee visa issuance. In some cases, you may be required to appear for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, for example, if you submit an incomplete and/or inaccurate application. Submit your application well in advance of your planned travel to allow for the possibility that a visa interview will be necessary.

Supporting Documents

All applicants must include the following documents when submitting their applications:
  1. Applicant's current passport and the two most recently expired passports.
  2. A completed DS-160 confirmation page
  3. A visa fee receipt for the current visa application.
  4. A recent photograph taken within the last 6 months measuring 2 x 2 inches with a white or off white background and without eyeglasses. (guidelines on this webpage)
  5. Applicants under the age of 14 should include a copy of their birth certificate (in English) along with their application.
  6. For under 14 applicants:
    • Children under 14 years of age must submit a photocopy of both parents’ valid U.S. visas and the biographic information page of their passports. It is recommended that the Family Registration Certificate be included with the application packet.
    • If only one parent has a valid U.S. visa, a photocopy of his/her visa and passport biographic information page must be submitted. The parent who does not have a valid U.S. visa should submit a copy of a government identification and a statement granting consent for the child to travel.  If this parent has an expired U.S. visa, include a photocopy of the expired visa. In the case of the death of one parent, a copy of the death certificate should be included with the visa application.
    • If the parents have scheduled visa appointments, they may bring these documents to the Embassy or Consulate at the time of their appointment. Children under the age of 14 do not need to schedule a separate appointment or attend the interview. Children under 14 years of age must submit a photocopy of each parent’s passport biographic information page and valid U.S. visa or a photocopy of one parent’s passport biographic page and valid U.S. visa AND proof of legal consent to travel alone with the child.  Minors are not eligible for the interview waiver if these conditions cannot be met. For parents applying for visas for the first time or renewing visas, they may submit the required above documents during the time of their interview at the Embassy/Consulate General with the required CGI Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter and fee receipt.

Note: The Embassy /Consulate may in some cases, after reviewing an application, require the person to appear in person.

How to Apply

For Nonimmigrant Visa applicants:
Step 1 

Determine your visa type by reading Common Nonimmigrant Visas. Each visa type explains the qualifications and application items. Choose the visa type that applies to your situation.

Be sure to also review the Visa Waiver Program. If your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you do not need to apply for a visa if you are traveling for business or pleasure and will only be staying in the Unites States for 90 days or less.

Step 2

The next step is to complete the DS-160 Form. Be sure to read the Guidelines for Completing the DS-160 Formcarefully. All information must be correct and accurate. Once the form is submitted, you cannot make any changes. If you need assistance, please consult an immigration lawyer or translator. The call center cannot help you complete your DS-160. You will need your DS-160 number to book your appointment.

Step 3

Once you have determined the correct visa type and completed the DS-160, you must pay the visa fee. The visa fee page lists the visa types and correlating visa fee in U.S. dollars and local currency. To pay your visa fee, read the Bank and Payment Options page which explains how to make your visa fee payment. Please keep your payment receipt. You will need the receipt number in order to make a visa appointment.

Step 4

Now you will need to log in to your profile with the same credentials you used to pay your visa fee. Once you are in the system, you will see your dashboard.Click on Schedule Appointment on the left-hand side menu.

This will start the process for scheduling your appointment. You will need:

  • Your passport number.
  • The receipt number from your Visa Fee receipt. Click here if you need help finding this number.
  • The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page.

As you go through the process you will be able to select your visa type, enter personal data, add dependents who are traveling with you, select your document delivery location, confirm visa payment, and schedule your appointment. If you qualify for Interview waiver submission, you will receive a interview-waiver submission letter containing a document checklist. Print two copies of the interview-waiver submission letter. Drop off your passport along with the listed documents mentioned on the submission letter at one of the 5 service centers.

Step 5

Deliver your documents and interview-waiver visa application to any of the ten document drop off centers of Team CGI Office. Bring the second copy of your document checklist with you. A team CGI employee will review your document checklist before accepting your application for delivery to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

Note: Failure to submit the above documents as per criteria will delay the processing of your case.

Step 6

If additional information is needed to complete processing of your case, you will be informed by email. If your application is approved, your passport and visa will be delivered for pickup to your selected Document Collection center you specified when you scheduled your interview. Details on passport delivery are available on this webpage.