United States · 2026
US visas from Pakistan, sorted out honestly
Two things are true at the same time, and almost nobody separates them properly. Start here before you spend anything.
What’s actually happening
Two facts, held apart
If you’ve read a scary headline this week, it probably blurred these together. Here they are, separated.
You are not on the US travel ban
Pakistan is not on it. Not in the June 2025 proclamation, not in the December 2025 expansion, not on the USCIS adjudication pause. If you have read otherwise online, that was wrong.
Visitor visas, student visas and business visas are all still available to Pakistani nationals. The interview queue in Islamabad is another matter — but you are not banned.
But immigrant visas are paused
Since January 2026, Pakistan is one of 75 countries under a US immigrant visa pause. It is indefinite. In plain terms: routes that end in a green card issued by the consulate in Islamabad are not currently completing.
This catches people out: your priority date can be current while your visa still isn’t being issued. Those are two different things.
Already lawfully inside the US? Your answer is different.
It is reported that people already lawfully inside the United States, adjusting status there, are not affected in the same way. If that is your situation, it is worth a proper conversation rather than a web page.
75
countries paused
Pakistan is one of them, under an indefinite US immigrant visa pause since January 2026.
1961
E-2 treaty in force
Pakistan holds the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce — the treaty the investor visa requires.
No
fixed E-2 minimum
There is no official minimum investment. Anyone quoting a fixed figure is guessing.
The routes
So what is actually open?
Non-immigrant routes still run. The green-card routes mostly don’t, for now. We’ll tell you which is which before you spend anything.
Investors · E-2
Investing in a US business
Most people searching for this don’t call it an E-2 — they search “USA investor visa” or “invest and get America visa”. It is a non-immigrant visa for someone investing a substantial amount in a real, operating US business.
It is only open to nationals of countries with the right treaty with the United States. Pakistan has one — the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce, in force since 1961. Some agents will tell you otherwise, and some law-firm tables leave Pakistan off by mistake.
Business owners · L-1
Moving within your own company
If you already run a business in Pakistan and want to open or staff a US arm, a transfer route may fit. It is not a general work visa and it does not apply to a job you found online.
Visitors · B1/B2
Visiting the United States
Available, and heavily refused. Most Pakistani refusals come under one section — the officer isn’t satisfied you’ll return. Reapplying without changing what caused that is usually just paying the fee twice.
Green card · EB-5, EB2-NIW
The green-card routes
Honestly: mostly stuck from Pakistan while the immigrant visa pause holds, because they finish at the consulate. We would rather tell you that now than take a fee to start something that cannot currently finish.
If you are already in the US lawfully, the picture is different. That is worth a conversation.
The E-2 is a case for a lawyer, not a table.
The treaty position is exactly the kind of detail agents get wrong and even published law-firm tables sometimes omit. Before anyone commits money to a US business on the strength of it, it should be confirmed by a lawyer against the official Department of State list — not a screenshot.
Straight answers
The questions people actually ask
Short, honest, and the same answer we’d give you on the phone.
Is Pakistan on the US travel ban?
No. Pakistan is not in the June 2025 proclamation, not in the December 2025 expansion, and not on the USCIS adjudication pause. Visitor, student and business visas all remain available to Pakistani nationals.
My priority date is current — so why isn’t my visa being issued?
Because those are two different things. Since January 2026, Pakistan is one of 75 countries under an indefinite US immigrant visa pause. Your priority date can be current while the visa still isn’t being issued at the consulate in Islamabad. This is the single most confusing thing in the market right now.
Can Pakistani nationals apply for the E-2 investor visa?
Yes. Pakistan holds the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with the United States, in force since 1961, which is what the E-2 requires. Some agents and even some law-firm tables leave Pakistan off by mistake. Because the treaty position matters so much here, this is a case to have confirmed by a lawyer against the official Department of State list before you commit.
How much do I have to invest for an E-2?
There is no official minimum. Anyone quoting you a fixed figure is guessing. What matters is whether the investment is substantial relative to the business, and whether the business can support more than just you and your family.
I’m already in the US lawfully — does the pause affect me?
It is reported that people already lawfully inside the United States, adjusting status there, are not affected in the same way as those applying at the consulate. If that is your situation, it is worth a proper conversation rather than a web page.
Can you guarantee me a US visa?
No — and neither can anyone else. Your visa is decided by a US officer. What we can do is tell you honestly whether a route is even open to you right now, and say so before you’ve paid us anything if it isn’t.
Tell us where you are
Ask us about your situation
Tell us whether you are in Pakistan, the Gulf, or already in the US — it changes the answer more than anything else.
Start with a conversation
Find out which US route is really open to you
A lawyer-reviewed answer on where you actually stand — and an honest no if the route you want is paused right now.