🇵🇰 Pakistan → 🇺🇸 United States

Study in United States from Pakistan

The USA opens the world's largest university system and OPT work rights to students from Karachi and Lahore, with the F-1 interview held at US missions in Pakistan.

Tuition $20,000–$55,000/year Visa 4–8 wks Free for students

🇵🇰 Pakistan

From

🇺🇸 United States

4–8 wks

Visa

OPT

Post-study

The United States draws Pakistani students with an unrivalled range of universities, generous assistantships, and OPT work authorisation of one to three years after graduation. The principal challenges are cost and the F-1 interview.

Tuition of $20,000–$55,000 a year means most students lean on funding and family support, and you must document full first-year costs before the SEVIS and visa stages.

Degree verification, I-20 and SEVIS from Pakistan

Apply via the Common App or directly, then have your degree verified and attested by the Higher Education Commission, obtain IBCC equivalency for your school certificates, and add Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation in Islamabad. Once admitted, your institution issues the I-20, you pay the SEVIS fee of $350, and you attend the F-1 interview at the US Embassy in Islamabad or the consulates in Karachi and Lahore.

Costs, scholarships, visa timeline and OPT

Budget tuition of $20,000–$55,000 a year plus living costs of $1,200–$2,500 a month, and be ready to prove full one-year costs for the F-1 visa. Processing after the interview is typically 4–8 weeks. Pakistani students can pursue the Fulbright programme, university assistantships or NSF fellowships, and graduates gain 12 months of OPT, extendable to 36 months for STEM fields.

Your path from Pakistan to United States

Apply via Common App or directly. I-20 issued by institution after admission. SEVIS fee ($350) required. F-1 visa interview at US Embassy.

1
Register free & build your profile
Create a student account and tell us your grades, budget and goals. It takes five minutes and costs nothing.
2
Get matched to universities
Our advisors shortlist programmes that fit your profile and explain admission requirements and deadlines.
3
Prepare documents & apply
We help you assemble transcripts, language scores and financial proof, then submit strong applications.
4
Visa & departure support
Once admitted, we guide your student visa application and help you prepare for arrival.

Costs, visa & requirements

Tuition	$20,000–$55,000/year
Living costs	$1,200–$2,500/month
Visa type	F-1 Student Visa (SEVIS)
Financial proof	Full 1-year costs (tuition + living)
Processing time	4–8 weeks
Language	TOEFL 80+ or IELTS 6.5+
Scholarships	Fulbright Programme, University Assistantships, NSF Graduate Fellowships

In-person support in Karachi + Lahore

Our Pakistan office helps Pakistan students with HEC attestation support, IBCC equivalency guidance, Visa interview coaching and more — free of charge.

Visit our Pakistan office →

Frequently asked questions

Where is the F-1 visa interview held for Pakistani students?

At the US Embassy in Islamabad or the consulates in Karachi and Lahore, all of which conduct F-1 student visa interviews for Pakistani applicants.

How much money must I show for a US student visa from Pakistan?

You must document the full first-year cost of attendance, covering both tuition and living expenses, which the institution states on your I-20 before the F-1 visa stage.

How long can I work in the US after graduating?

Graduates receive 12 months of OPT work authorisation, and those in STEM fields can apply for a 24-month extension, giving up to three years of post-study work.