Pakistani families in the GCC turn to EB-5 as uncertainty rises

By AI, Created 4:44 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Interest in the U.S. EB-5 investor visa is climbing among Pakistani nationals across the GCC, especially in the UAE, as families look for long-term residency options outside the region. The trend comes as regional tensions and a September 30, 2026 deadline sharpen attention on U.S. immigration planning.

Why it matters: - Pakistani expatriates in the GCC are increasingly treating U.S. residency as a contingency plan, not just an education or investment move. - The shift reflects broader concerns about regional stability, mobility and long-term family planning. - Demand is rising ahead of the September 30, 2026 grandfathering deadline, which could affect future EB-5 protections for investors who file on time.

What happened: - The American Legal Center, a Dubai-based U.S. immigration consultancy focused on investment immigration, reported a noticeable rise in EB-5 inquiries from Pakistani nationals living across the GCC. - The strongest interest has come from families in the UAE. - The increase has become more pronounced in recent months amid tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. - Shai Zamanian, Legal Director and Founder of The American Legal Center, said the firm has seen a noticeable increase in EB-5 inquiries from Pakistani nationals across the GCC.

The details: - The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers eligible foreign investors and their families a path to lawful permanent residency in the United States through qualifying investments in approved U.S. projects. - Many Pakistani families are revisiting EB-5 because of concerns about long-term stability and the desire to secure permanent options outside the region. - Education planning is a major driver of interest, as families look for residency solutions earlier instead of relying only on student visas or employment-based routes. - Pakistani nationals in the GCC may be well-positioned for the EB-5 process because they often have traceable income, established businesses and stronger financial records from regional employment or entrepreneurship. - Stronger documentation can help with the source-of-funds portion of an EB-5 petition. - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data showed record levels of unreserved EB-5 visa issuance in the first quarter of FY2025. - Reserved visa categories created under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 continue to attract investor attention. - The American Legal Center expects demand to rise further in the coming months.

Between the lines: - The trend suggests wealthy and middle-to-upper-income expatriate families are widening their immigration strategies as geopolitical risk stays elevated. - The timing also shows how visa deadlines can accelerate decision-making when families want to lock in eligibility under current rules. - Zamanian said much of the demand appears driven by concerns over long-term stability and the desire to secure permanent options outside the region.

What’s next: - More Pakistani families in the GCC are expected to evaluate EB-5 filings before the September 30, 2026 deadline. - Immigration advisers are likely to see continued interest as families assess visa availability, source-of-funds documentation and long-term residency options. - The next surge in applications will likely depend on whether regional tensions remain elevated and whether families move to preserve grandfathering protections.

The bottom line: - For Pakistani nationals in the GCC, EB-5 is increasingly being viewed as a hedge against uncertainty and a route to long-term mobility.