The United States Embassy in Islamabad has announced that the US Consulates in Karachi and Lahore will officially resume regular consular services on July 20, restoring key services for both American citizens and visa applicants after several months of suspension.
According to the embassy’s announcement, the US Consulate in Lahore will once again provide American citizen services, while the US Consulate in Karachi will offer both US citizen services and non immigrant visa processing. Individuals planning to apply for a visa or requiring consular assistance have been advised to visit the official US Embassy website for updated information and appointment procedures.
The two consulates suspended their operations in March 2026 following widespread protests that erupted across Pakistan after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran. The demonstrations led to serious security concerns around diplomatic missions in several cities.
During the unrest in Karachi, protesters breached the outer boundary of the US Consulate, causing damage to the premises. The violence also resulted in multiple casualties, prompting US authorities to reassess the security situation in Pakistan.
Following these incidents, the US Department of State ordered the departure of non emergency government employees and eligible family members from the US Consulates in Karachi and Lahore due to safety concerns. The temporary suspension of services remained in place while security conditions were reviewed.
In May 2026, the State Department also announced the phased closure of the US Consulate General in Peshawar, explaining that the decision was taken to ensure the safety of diplomatic personnel. Responsibility for diplomatic engagement and consular affairs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was subsequently transferred to the US Embassy in Islamabad.
With the reopening of the Karachi and Lahore consulates, applicants seeking visas and American citizens requiring assistance will once again have access to essential consular services from July 20, marking an important step toward restoring normal diplomatic operations in Pakistan.
