While Pakistanis may not face an outright travel ban, they could be subjected to increased scrutiny when applying for U.S. visas under a proposed policy.
Rumors about new travel restrictions surfaced last week after major U.S. and UK newspapers reported on a draft proposal recommending a “red list” of countries whose citizens could be barred from entering the United States.
A Reuters report indicated that Pakistan might be included in a list of nations facing entry restrictions as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten immigration policies. However, subsequent reporting by The New York Times suggested that while a complete ban may not be imposed on Pakistanis, they could face additional hurdles during the visa application process.
The report stated that Pakistan could be placed in an “orange” category, which would impose restrictions on specific visa types.
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Under this classification, Pakistani citizens might only qualify for visas related to business travel, particularly for affluent individuals, while access to immigrant and tourist visas could be restricted. Moreover, visa durations may be shortened, and applicants could be required to attend in-person interviews.
There have also been reports of Pakistani students currently studying in the U.S. being advised not to return home, as some educational institutions are uncertain whether they would be permitted to re-enter the country.
