Policy Updates

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2026-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-06-01 to 2023-10-01 in the 2026-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Applicants from Pakistan often undergo additional security screening (SAOs). The integration of CHRI into the EB-3 process will likely be layered on top of existing security protocols, potentially extending wait times significantly.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2026-02)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-04-22 to 2023-06-01 in the 2026-02 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The fraud investigation triggers a broader mandate for USCIS to verify the legitimacy of all EB-3 sponsors. Pakistani applicants may face additional administrative processing (Section 221(g)) at the consular level as a result of these internal policy shifts.

As a 'Rest of World' country, Pakistan does not currently face specific EB-3 backlogs. The fee increase is a general administrative impact affecting the total cost of the green card process.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2026-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-04-15 to 2023-04-22 in the 2026-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Pakistani applicants frequently undergo rigorous background checks; this policy formalizes and intensifies that scrutiny, potentially leading to higher RFE rates regarding employment history.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2025-12)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-04-01 to 2023-04-15 in the 2025-12 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Pakistani applicants will face higher fees for I-140 petitions and adjustment of status applications. This increase reflects the USCIS inflation adjustment policy affecting all employment-based categories.

Pakistani applicants are impacted by the fee rule stay at the employer level. The stay may affect the required Asylum Program Fee and basic I-140 filing fees during the litigation period.

The policy change standardizes the intake process for Pakistani applicants. It removes the option for paper-based payment methods, requiring a transition to the USCIS electronic payment system to avoid petition rejection.

Applicants from Pakistan will be subject to the broader USCIS initiative to root out fraud, leading to more thorough reviews of EB-3 petitions. This will likely manifest as increased processing times for professional worker categories.

Pakistani applicants will be affected by the revised prevailing wage levels, which may exceed the standard market rates for many roles. The $100,000 H-1B fee also acts as a significant deterrent for employers who might otherwise sponsor Pakistani professionals for the EB-3 pipeline.

Similar to other South Asian nations, Pakistani applicants in technical roles will face higher scrutiny of their employers' organizational structures. Special agents may conduct more frequent interviews to verify the authenticity of the employment offer.

The transition to electronic funds helps Pakistani applicants avoid the common pitfalls of physical check processing. This ensures a more predictable timeline for the initial receipt of immigration petitions.

Pakistani EB-3 applicants will face standard but strict enforcement regarding the authenticity of their professional background. Any inconsistencies between visa interview statements and written applications will be heavily penalized.

Applicants from Pakistan often face enhanced security vetting. The 'Anti-Americanism' criteria adds a subjective layer to the existing security protocols, likely extending the time to green card approval for skilled workers.

This policy change ensures that Pakistani children are less likely to lose their dependent status if the EB-3 category experiences unexpected retrogression or slow priority date movement.

Applicants from Pakistan fall under the 'Rest of World' category for EB-3. The fee increase raises the cost of the I-140 petition, affecting the overall budget for Pakistani professionals seeking to immigrate.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2025-07)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-02-08 to 2023-04-01 in the 2025-07 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

By standardizing how derogatory information is shared with petitioners, USCIS provides Pakistani applicants a more transparent path to permanent residency, ensuring that any issues found during adjudication are disclosed and can be contested.

By making the medical exam valid indefinitely, Pakistani applicants are protected from the costs of re-examination if their I-485 application remains pending for more than two years.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2025-06)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-01-01 to 2023-02-08 in the 2025-06 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2025-04)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-12-01 to 2023-01-01 in the 2025-04 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Pakistani nationals adjusting status will no longer need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to civil surgeons. This simplifies the final stage of the EB-3 process and reduces the likelihood of medical-related RFEs.

The update is a routine administrative change for Pakistani nationals. While it is important for maintaining filing timelines, it does not introduce country-specific restrictions or unique backlogs for this group.

Pakistani nationals with EB-3 appointments on the closure date will receive new notices. The delay is purely administrative and does not reflect changes in eligibility or visa numbers.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2025-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-15 to 2022-12-01 in the 2025-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-10)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2020-12-01 to 2022-11-15 in the 2024-10 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-09)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2021-12-01 to 2020-12-01 in the 2024-09 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-07)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-22 to 2021-12-01 in the 2024-07 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-04)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-09-08 to 2022-11-22 in the 2024-04 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-09-01 to 2022-09-08 in the 2024-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-02)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-08-01 to 2022-09-01 in the 2024-02 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2021-12-01 to 2022-08-01 in the 2024-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2023-10)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2020-05-01 to 2021-12-01 in the 2023-10 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-3 Rest of World (2023-08)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-02-01 to 2020-05-01 in the 2023-08 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-3 Rest of World (2023-07)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-06-01 to 2022-02-01 in the 2023-07 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.