If you want to immigrate to the USA from Pakistan, you can follow several pathways. What is important for you to know is that, depending on the type of visa you want to apply for, you will be subject to different requirements. For example, to apply for an immigrant visa, you must be endorsed by an American citizen or permanent resident.
If you want to move to the USA from Pakistan through a non-immigrant visa, you need to comply with other requirements. No matter the case, our immigration lawyers in Miami can guide you.
Immigrant visas when you relocate to the USA from Pakistan
These are your two main options if you have decided to immigrate to the United States, and each has its own particularities. The first and most important one is that the immigrant visa grants you access to a US Green Card faster.
Immigrant visas can be obtained through family reunions, which can imply:
- obtaining a US spouse visa, if you are married to an American citizen;
- obtaining a fiancé visa (K-1 visa), if you are engaged to an American national;
- moving to an immediate relative, such as a parent or unmarried child.
The last option implies that the immediate family member is an American resident.
Another option to obtain a Green Card is the EB-5 investor visa for the USA. However, for this one, you will need a substantial amount of money to start your own business.
Our immigration lawyers in the USA can assist you if you choose any of these pathways to move here from Pakistan.
Non-immigrant visas when you move to the USA from Pakistan
Employment is the most common and safest way to immigrate to the USA from Pakistan through a non-immigrant visa. The main advantage is that you will already have an employment contract at the time of the application for the visa, which will provide you with more financial predictability.
The main options to move to the USA from Pakistan through employment are:
- the EB-1 visa, which requires you to have experience in a managerial position, as a professor or researcher;
- the EB-2 visa, for which you can apply if you work in another field in which you are proficient;
- the EB-3 visa, for which you only need a Bachelor’s degree or a minimum experience of 2 years in any field.
Intra-company transfer visas (U visas) are also available if you work for a US company with operations in Pakistan. The Pakistani branch can send you to work with the parent company at the latter’s request.
If you decide to relocate based on employment, feel free to enquire about the procedure with our US immigration lawyers.
How to relocate to the USA from Pakistan based on employment
Employment is one of the safest ways to move to the US from Pakistan. It is also one of the pathways to obtaining a US Green Card. There are several types of visas one can apply for, among which:
- priority workers who qualify under the E1 visa category, and which addresses people who work in science, education, arts, and sports;
- professors and researchers who have at least 3 years of working experience and international recognition in their field;
- company managers and executives who can apply for the L-1 visa for intra-company transfers;
- professional workers who have at least 5 years of experience in other sectors can also immigrate to the USA from Pakistan based on E2 visas;
- unskilled workers can also file for employment visas if they have at least 2 years of experience in certain fields.
To verify your eligibility, you can discuss your situation with one of our US immigration lawyers who can guide you on a suitable relocation pathway.
How does the immigration procedure take place?
Immigrating to the USA from Pakistan consists of 2 critical steps:
- the first one is filing the application with the US Embassy in Islamabad;
- the second one is going through the interview and approval procedures with the US Immigration Services.
Depending on the chosen pathway, you may also need your relative or employer to actively engage in the immigration process by filing various documents.
With respect to the documents to prepare, there can be many and quite specific, which is why it is recommended to ask for specialized support. Our immigration lawyer in Miami can assist with the documentation.
US immigration steps for Pakistani nationals
There are several important aspects to consider when you decide to relocate to the USA from Pakistan. One of the most important is completing the procedure in the correct order and supplying all required documentation.
Here is what you need to know to meet them:
- you must first submit the visa application which will be processed by the US National Visa Center;
- following its processing, you need to pay a visa fee;
- then, a local sponsor (family member or employer) must file a declaration of sponsorship;
- you must also prepare financial evidence to support your stay in the US;
- following that, you can prepare for the visa interview;
- after taking the interview, you will prepare the immigration documents and file them with the USCIS.
Our immigration lawyers in the USA can advise on the steps of the relocation procedure to increase your chances of passing the visa interview.
Documents to prepare when you immigrate to the USA from Pakistan
Here are the papers to file when moving to the USA from Pakistan:
- the valid passport (a minimum validity of 6 months is required);
- the visa confirmation page issued by the NVC;
- recent passport-size photos;
- the medical report;
- the birth certificate;
- proof of financial self-sufficiency;
- the marriage certificate (if applicable);
- proof of the reason for immigration;
- criminal record certificate;
- the visa fee payment receipt.
The Pakistani population living in the United States
According to recent information:
- at the level of 2023, there were about 680,000 people of Pakistani origin living in the US;
- they were the 7th largest population from Asia living in this country;
- out of the total number of immigrants in the US in 2023, 62% were Pakistani.
If you decide to immigrate to the USA from Pakistan and need support, do not hesitate to ask for assistance from our skilled lawyers.