The Foreign Minister of Pakistan will raise the issue of the USA visa regime for Pakistani nationals with the American ambassador.
This announcement was made during the Minsters speech at a lunch hosted by the Entrepreneurs Organisation in her honor in Islamabad. Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has made an assurance to the business community that she would raise the issue of US visa application relaxation with the ambassador to the United States. In conjunction with this she hopes to convince the ambassador to relax visa procedures for Pakistan businessmen, especially for the members of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO).
Pakistani Foreign Minister Khar had met with US Special Envoy Marc Grossman just recently but it was after the EO luncheon.
Working groups of Pakistan and the United States on economy and finance; and energy and water were scheduled to meet next week. However, the meeting has been put off because of unavailability of Thomas Nides, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources. The meeting was to discuss a further cooperation in these sectors.When Khar was questioned on the consistency in foreign policy she confirmed the need for peace in the Pakistan and a stable relationship with its neighbors to keep policy consistent.
Just like any international travelers, Pakistanis who are not eligible to enter the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) via ESTA America.
The Visa Waiver Program, which enables passport holders of participating VWP countries to travel to the US for business or pleasure for a maximum stay of 90 days without a visa via online submission of ESTA forms.
Instead Pakistani nationals must first apply for either a nonimmigrant visa for travel to the U.S. on a temporary basis or an immigrant visa for travel to live permanently in the US.
For businessmen from Pakistan who want to enter the United States temporarily for business meetings, and conferences they must apply for B-1 Business Visitor visa. This needs to be done at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. This visa is valid for an initial visit of up to six (6) months but you are not allowed to engage in employment or any commercial activity that will result in financial gain.
To date, beyond repeating the commitment to carry on with the meetings of the working group, US Special Envoy Grossman’s visit had hardly any substantive outcome. It was said that the meeting was “more of exchange of views on issues of mutual interest and the regional issues”.
Both Ms. Khar and Mr. Grossman had expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved during the meeting of the working group on counter-terrorism and law enforcement.
It was agreed by both of them that they will continue to work together for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.