Important Update for Pakistani Nationals: Police Certificates Now Listed as “Available” on Visa Reciprocity Chart

The U.S. Department of State has recently updated the Visa Reciprocity Schedule for Pakistan to reflect that police certificates, referred to as “Character Certificates,” are now considered available for visa applicants. While U.S. embassies and consulates have previously not required police certificates from Pakistan, this update signals a potential change in policy that immigrant visa applicants should take seriously.

What Changed?

Until now, Pakistani nationals applying for U.S. immigrant visas were typically not required to submit a police certificate (also known as a character certificate) due to concerns over the reliability and centralization of criminal recordkeeping in the country. However, the State Department now explicitly lists police certificates from Pakistan as:

Available

Issuing Authority: Police Facilitation Center or local police office in the individual’s home province or current province of residence, as listed on their CNIC.

This update may serve as advance notice that U.S. consular officers may begin requesting these documents as part of standard immigrant visa processing—particularly for individuals aged 16 and older, as required in other countries.

What Is a Character Certificate?

A character certificate in Pakistan is issued by the Police Facilitation Center or local police office in your province of residence (as shown on your Computerized National Identity Card—CNIC). These documents are:

• Issued for a fee (cost varies by province)

• Based on your CNIC-linked criminal history

• Sometimes printed with a QR code for authenticity

However, it’s important to note that there is no centralized, national database of criminal records in Pakistan. Each province maintains its own system, and criminal records are not automatically shared across provincial lines.

What Should Applicants Do Now?

While police certificates from Pakistan may not yet be required in all cases, the updated reciprocity chart suggests that consular officers now have a basis to request them on a case-by-case basis—or as part of a future policy shift.

We having our current Immigrant Visa applicants begin the process of obtaining a character certificate so they are prepared in the event of an official policy change.

Check with your local police authority for procedures, fees, and timelines, as they differ significantly by region. You use your CNIC address as a guide when deciding which jurisdiction to approach for the certificate. If you are applying for a U.S. green card through consular processing, it’s better to be prepared with this document than risk delays later in your case.

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Disclaimer: This post is attorney advertising. It is meant as general information only, and is not legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. We suggest you set up a consultation with us before acting on anything you read here. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; every case is unique and must be analyzed individually.