Student visa services will resume at the United States Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate General in Karachi starting on Thursday, October 1, the US mission in Pakistan announced through a statement.

Terming student visas a "top priority", the statement said the US mission "will make every effort to assist student visa applicants as timely and safely as possible".

It added that applicants will be required to wear masks and maintain social distance as part of coronavirus safety measures.

Processing for other visa categories will resume "as soon as we are able", the press release said. Applicants can visit the mission's website to determine if they qualify for an emergency appointment.