Chapter 01
Visa centres and embassies in Islamabad at a glance (October 2026)
| Centre | Countries / service | Address | Hours | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VFS Global / Gerry's | UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Netherlands (also Finland), Belgium (also Luxembourg), Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Hungary | Gerry's Building, Park Road, Chattha Bakhtawar, Chak Shahzad, next to Punjab Cash & Carry | UK: Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00. Canada: Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 | VFS Canada Islamabad; VFS UK |
| Chinese Visa Application Service Center | China | Gerry's Building, Park Road, Chatta Bakhtawar, Chak Shahzad | Mon–Fri: submission 09:00–15:00; payment and collection 09:00–16:00 (Ramadan 09:00–14:00) | visaforchina.cn |
| US Embassy | USA visa interviews | Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5 | By appointment only, Mon–Fri 08:00–13:00 | US Embassy |
| German Embassy | Germany (Schengen), via waiting list | Diplomatic Enclave | By appointment | German Embassy |
| Anatolia Travel Services | Türkiye (sticker visa) | ISE Tower, Offices 203, 206, 207, 2nd Floor, Blue Area | Mon–Fri: submission 09:00–15:00; collection 09:00–17:00; closed 13:00–14:00 | Anatolia |
| Royal Thai Embassy | Thailand (e-visa applicants, legalisation) | Plots 1-20, Diplomatic Enclave-1, G-5/4 | Visa and legalisation: Mon–Fri 09:30–13:00 | Thai Embassy |
| FIA Islamabad zone | Pre-departure document advice | Near GPO, Sector G-6, Melody Market (051-9203799) | Desk reported open 9am–5pm daily | FIA contact; Dawn |
The VFS/Gerry's call centre is 0900-07860 (or 9999 from a mobile), according to the Belgian Embassy. Diplomatic Enclave access: visitors reach the Enclave by the Diplomatic Shuttle from Third Avenue; the Thai Embassy lists the shuttle fare as Rs 2,000.
Chapter 02
Which visas are processed in Islamabad?
Islamabad is the main visa city for northern Pakistan because most embassies are here.
USA: the US Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulate General in Karachi are the only places in Pakistan that handle visas, according to the US Embassy. Applicants from Lahore, Punjab and KP usually interview in Islamabad. Interviews are by appointment only. See our USA visit visa guide.
Germany: the German Embassy does not use an outside visa centre. Residents of Islamabad (ICT), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab register on the embassy's waiting list and apply at the embassy (German Embassy).
Other Schengen countries:
- At VFS/Gerry's, Chak Shahzad: Netherlands (also Finland), Belgium (also Luxembourg), Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Hungary (also Lithuania and Estonia).
- Italy: BLS-Intiana, named by the Italian Embassy (intianaitalyvisa.com), which has a centre in Islamabad.
- France: the French consular section is in the Diplomatic Enclave, G-5, by appointment; applications start at france-visas.gouv.fr.
- Spain: start from the Spanish Embassy's website; we could not confirm the visa centre address on the provider's site. See our Schengen visa guide.
UK, Canada, Australia: apply online, then give biometrics at VFS/Gerry's, Chak Shahzad. The UK also lists a premium centre in Mirpur (AJK). See our UK and Canada guides.
Japan: the Embassy of Japan (Plot 53-70, Ramna 5/4, Diplomatic Enclave I) handles only diplomatic and official visas; ordinary applicants go through VFS/Gerry's (Embassy of Japan). See our Japan visa guide.
China: Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Chak Shahzad. See our China visa guide.
Türkiye: Anatolia Travel Services, ISE Tower, Blue Area. See our Türkiye visa guide.
Thailand: apply online at thaievisa.go.th; the Royal Thai Embassy is in the Diplomatic Enclave. See our Thailand visa guide.
Malaysia: apply for the eVISA online. The High Commission of Malaysia is at Plot 144-150, Street 17, G-5 Diplomatic Enclave, with consular hours Monday to Friday 09:00–11:30.
UAE: UAE visit visas are processed through UAE-registered agents, not at the embassy. The UAE Embassy is at Plot 1-22, Quaid-e-Azam University Road, Diplomatic Enclave. See our Dubai visit visa guide.
Chapter 03
Practical tips for Islamabad visa appointments
- Chak Shahzad is outside central Islamabad. Allow 30–45 minutes from Blue Area or Rawalpindi at busy times.
- Diplomatic Enclave visits (US, German, Thai embassies) need extra time for the shuttle and security. Do not bring large bags.
- Travelling from KP, AJK or northern Punjab? Book a morning slot only if you can reach it on time; missed appointments often cannot be moved.
- Book only on official websites. People offering appointment slots outside centres or on social media are not authorised; see how to spot visa scams.
Chapter 04
How Visit Visa Specialists helps visit-visa applicants in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
We work remotely with clients across Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the north:
- First check on WhatsApp: your destination, dates and profile.
- A checklist built for your situation (government employee with NOC, salaried, business owner, student, homemaker or retired).
- File review of your scanned documents: Quote on WhatsApp.
- Online application and official booking in your own name.
- Courier pickup of originals from your home or office where needed: Quote on WhatsApp.
- US interview preparation and a pre-flight FIA airport checklist review.
Office: 226-B, Tulip Extension, Tulip Block, Sector C, Bahria Town, Lahore 53720, Pakistan. You do not need to visit us; documents can be shared on WhatsApp and originals sent by courier. Official fees are always shown separately from our service fee, and the decision belongs to the embassy.
Chapter 05
Frequently asked questions
Where is the VFS Global office in Islamabad?
The VFS Global / Gerry's visa application centre in Islamabad is at Gerry's Building, Park Road, Chattha Bakhtawar, Chak Shahzad, next to Punjab Cash & Carry. It handles the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and several Schengen countries.
What are the VFS Islamabad timings?
VFS Global's pages list Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00 for UK applicants and 09:00 to 17:00 for Canada applicants at the Islamabad centre. Attend at your booked appointment time.
Where is the US Embassy in Islamabad and when are visa interviews?
The US Embassy is in the Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5. Its visa page says visa interviews are by appointment only, Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 13:00. You cannot walk in without an appointment.
Where do I apply for a German Schengen visa in Islamabad?
At the German Embassy in Islamabad, which does not use an outside visa centre. Residents of Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Punjab register on the embassy's waiting list and then apply at the embassy.
Where is the Chinese visa centre in Islamabad?
The Chinese Visa Application Service Center is in Gerry's Building, Park Road, Chatta Bakhtawar, Chak Shahzad. Submission is Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 15:00, and payment and collection 09:00 to 16:00.
Where is the Turkey visa office in Islamabad?
Anatolia Travel Services, ISE Tower, Offices 203, 206 and 207, 2nd Floor, Blue Area. Submission is Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 15:00, with a 13:00 to 14:00 break in Islamabad.
Do I visit the Thai Embassy for a Thailand visa?
You apply online at thaievisa.go.th. The Royal Thai Embassy in the Diplomatic Enclave lists visa and legalisation hours of Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 13:00; the Diplomatic Enclave is reached by the Diplomatic Shuttle from Third Avenue.
Where can I get my documents checked by FIA before flying from Islamabad?
FIA's Islamabad zone office is near the GPO in Sector G-6, Melody Market (051-9203799). Dawn reported in January 2026 that a Pre-Departure Facilitation Desk opened at the Islamabad G-6 office, open 9am to 5pm daily.
Every fact, checkedSources+
- VFS Global (Canada, Islamabad): centre address and hours Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00 (visa.vfsglobal.com, checked 13 October 2026)
- VFS Global (UK, Pakistan): centres and hours Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00; premium centre in Mirpur (visa.vfsglobal.com, checked 13 October 2026)
- Embassy of Belgium: VFS/Gerry's addresses in Pakistan; call centre 0900-07860 (pakistan.diplomatie.belgium.be, checked 13 October 2026)
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center Islamabad: address and hours (visaforchina.cn, checked 13 October 2026)
- US Embassy Islamabad: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5; visa interviews by appointment Mon-Fri 08:00-13:00 (pk.usembassy.gov, checked 13 October 2026)
- Anatolia Travel Services (Türkiye visa): Islamabad visa centre in ISE Tower, Blue Area; hours (anatoliatravelservices.com, checked 13 October 2026)
- German Embassy Islamabad: Schengen visa waiting list; jurisdiction ICT, KP, AJK, Punjab (pakistan.diplo.de, checked 13 October 2026)
- Embassy of Japan: address; ordinary visas via VFS/Gerry's (pk.emb-japan.go.jp, checked 13 October 2026)
- Royal Thai Embassy Islamabad: visa and legalisation hours Mon-Fri 09:30-13:00 (islamabad.thaiembassy.org, checked 13 October 2026)
- High Commission of Malaysia Islamabad: address and consular hours (kln.gov.my, checked 13 October 2026)
- UAE Embassy Islamabad: address and hours (mofa.gov.ae, checked 13 October 2026)
- FIA contact: Islamabad zone near GPO, G-6, Melody Market (fia.gov.pk, checked 13 October 2026)
- Dawn (news), 5 Jan 2026: FIA Pre-Departure Facilitation Desk at Islamabad G-6 (dawn.com, checked 13 October 2026)
- Embassy of Italy Islamabad: visa centres via intianaitalyvisa.com (ambislamabad.esteri.it, checked 13 October 2026)
- French Embassy consular section, Diplomatic Enclave G-5; by appointment; visas via france-visas.gouv.fr (pk.diplomatie.gouv.fr, checked 13 October 2026)
We are an independent private agency, not affiliated with any government. Visa decisions are made solely by the relevant authority.
