Policy Updates

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2026-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2024-04-01 to 2024-10-15 in the 2026-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Applicants from Pakistan will be screened against integrated DOJ and DHS databases. This policy formalizes the use of criminal history record information to ensure that applicants do not pose a threat to US national security or welfare.

Pakistani applicants in the EB-2 category will face higher costs for expedited service. This is significant for those in the medical and tech sectors who use premium processing to manage tight employment contract timelines.

The DHS fraud investigation will lead to increased administrative oversight for Pakistani nationals in the EB-2 category. This shift in policy focus toward fraud detection will likely result in slower processing and more frequent requests for additional documentation.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2026-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2024-02-01 to 2024-04-01 in the 2026-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Applicants from Pakistan may be subject to more frequent secondary security screenings under the new vetting guidelines, potentially extending the time required for visa approval.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-12)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-12-01 to 2024-02-01 in the 2025-12 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The inflation adjustment for FY 2026 will increase the total cost of the I-140 petition for Pakistani nationals. This impact is felt most by individual petitioners in the STEM fields.

The legal challenge to the 2024 USCIS Fee Rule affects the filing process for Pakistani professionals. Employers must be diligent in applying the correct fees for I-140 petitions to avoid unnecessary delays in the EB-2 pipeline.

Pakistani applicants must transition away from paper-based payment methods. This change necessitates that petitioners verify their bank's ability to process international electronic payments to USCIS.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-10)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-09-01 to 2023-12-01 in the 2025-10 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Pakistani applicants will likely see an increase in the number of RFEs related to the validity of their job offers. This is part of a broader effort to ensure that all employment-based immigration is based on bona fide employment opportunities.

Pakistani applicants often utilize the EB-2 path following graduate studies in the U.S. The new wage floors and the $100,000 H-1B entry fee will likely reduce the number of U.S. employers willing to sponsor Pakistani talent in competitive tech fields.

Pakistani EB-2 applicants will face more thorough investigations into their professional backgrounds. The addition of special agents is intended to deter fraudulent claims regarding the 'national importance' of their work and the legitimacy of their advanced degrees.

By allowing electronic funds, USCIS is making the filing process more accessible for Pakistani nationals who may have previously struggled with the logistics of physical payment instruments. This ensures that their petitions are processed without unnecessary payment-related rejections.

Pakistani applicants will face stricter checks on their 'national interest' claims. Misrepresentation of professional impact or the validity of supporting recommendation letters will lead to immediate adverse consequences under the new enforcement guidelines.

Historical security concerns often lead to extended processing times for Pakistani nationals; this policy formalizes 'Anti-Americanism' as a specific ground for scrutiny. This could disproportionately affect EB-2 applicants with backgrounds in sensitive technologies or public service.

As Pakistani applicants face the current worldwide EB-2 cut-off dates, the CSPA update allows them to use the filing date to protect their children's eligibility, reducing the stress of administrative processing times.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-08)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-10-15 to 2023-09-01 in the 2025-08 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

The increase in filing fees adds to the financial requirements for Pakistani professionals. Like other 'Rest of World' countries, Pakistani applicants are currently facing wait times due to the lack of immediate visa availability in the EB-2 category.

This update ensures that Pakistani EB-2 applicants are notified of derogatory information obtained by USCIS, allowing them to provide context or evidence to the contrary.

Applicants from Pakistan sometimes face longer processing times due to additional administrative review. This policy ensures their medical exam remains valid even if the review process takes several years.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-06)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-06-22 to 2023-10-15 in the 2025-06 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-04)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-05-15 to 2023-06-22 in the 2025-04 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-04-01 to 2023-05-15 in the 2025-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Pakistani nationals will find the Form I-693 medical exam process simplified under this new guidance. The elimination of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement reduces the risk of medical-related delays in the EB-2 adjustment process.

The guidance provides better definitions for 'national importance,' which helps Pakistani professionals in healthcare and research justify their NIW petitions. This leads to more consistent outcomes for applicants from this region.

Pakistani applicants fall under the 'Rest of World' category for EB-2, which is currently facing retrogression. Correctly following the new I-140 filing procedures is necessary to ensure the petition is accepted and the priority date is established without delay.

The closure impacts Pakistani nationals with pending I-485 applications who were scheduled for biometrics or interviews. While the delay is short, it requires applicants to wait for new appointment notices in the mail.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-03-15 to 2023-04-01 in the 2025-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2024-07)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-01-15 to 2023-03-15 in the 2024-07 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2024-04)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-22 to 2023-01-15 in the 2024-04 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2024-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-15 to 2022-11-22 in the 2024-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2024-02)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-01 to 2022-11-15 in the 2024-02 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2024-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-07-15 to 2022-11-01 in the 2024-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-11)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-07-08 to 2022-07-15 in the 2023-11 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-10)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-07-01 to 2022-07-08 in the 2023-10 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-09)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-04-01 to 2022-07-01 in the 2023-09 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-08)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-02-15 to 2022-04-01 in the 2023-08 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-05)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-07-01 to 2022-02-15 in the 2023-05 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-04)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-01 to 2022-07-01 in the 2023-04 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.