On Monday the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad denied reports that claimed Pakistan had been added to the “U.S. Visa Waiver program”.
Thew news story which was first posted on various social media sites was picked up and printed by Pakistan’s leading newspapers including Jang, Express & Dunya.
The reports were based on an update to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which required travelers to carry a valid electronic passport. The reminder was intended for Travelers who are already eligible under the waiver program but do not have an electronic passport.
Reacting to the reports U.S. Embassy in Pakistan tweeted the following statement:
Reports that #Pakistan has been added to the Visa Waiver Program are false. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/vcv1FEZpAQ
— US Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) August 22, 2016
If #Pakistani citizens are interested in travel to the U.S. visit our website at: https://t.co/OT0VYRb8iI. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/c3YhftXREb
— US Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) August 22, 2016
Currently, the Visa Waiver program is only available to 38 countries.