US forced to deny 'no visa policy' report after it goes viral

US consulate tweets clarification after an old story from a satirical website goes viral

The US Consulate in Karachi on Monday was forced into refuting reports which claimed Pakistan was granted a visa waiver for entry into the United States.

Spoof visa story: Reports that Pakistan has been added 2 the Visa Waiver Program are false. For info on visas: https://t.co/pcXxM3gshU

— US Consulate Karachi (@usconsulatekhi) August 22, 2016

The US consulate had to tweet the clarification after an old story from a satirical website resurfaced and went viral.  The story, which was picked up by Online news agency and numerous other Pakistani newspapers, falsely claimed the US Department of State on Sunday updated the number of qualified Visa Waiver Program (VWP) designated countries from 38 to 39.

"The 39th country to have enjoyed the privilege is Pakistan," the story said, adding that Pakistani passport holders no longer require visas to travel to the United States.

The story even carried a false quote from US Secretary of State John Kerry saying the State Department arrived at the decision as a "way to reward Pakistan in helping to fight terrorism."



Here's how some people reacted to the news:

https://twitter.com/anthonypermal/status/767586034947325952

People going mental over this "US Visa Waiver For Pakistanis" news https://t.co/hqh37vNesF It's Fake FFS! https://t.co/6BzwbdmV3a

— Chair-man (@godfatheriv) August 22, 2016

Hilarious that the US Embassy even has to clarify this. https://t.co/or7Yiq4WPE

— Shaheryar Mirza (@mirza9) August 22, 2016

The US embassy officials in Pakistan are having jitters about reports claiming that Pakistanis can now travel to the USA "without Visa!!"

— Nusrat Javeed (@javeednusrat) August 22, 2016

Here is some general information about US visa on the state department's website:

Who needs a US visa?

Anyone who is not eligible to enter the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), or is not exempt from the visa requirement.

Please note: Travelers born in the United States and those who hold dual citizenship with the United States must enter and depart the United States on U.S. passports.

What types of visas are available?

Immigrant Visas: An immigrant visa is required by anyone seeking to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States. Upon entry into the United States, an immigrant visa holder is processed for a Permanent Resident Card (PRC) commonly known as a green card.

Non-Immigrant Visas:  A Non-immigrant visa is required by anyone seeking temporary admission into the United States who is not eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Programme, or is exempt from the visa requirement.