Work Permits & US Visa Paths – Just Normal Talk for Pakistan & UAE (2026)
If you’re in Pakistan or the UAE right now and trying to figure out a work permit or how to actually move to America for a job, you’re probably looking at things like the L1A visa USA, the L1B, or green card routes like EB2. When people throw around “work permit,” they usually mean the visa that lets you earn money legally in the US – either temporary ones like L1A or ones that eventually turn into permanent stay like EB2.
Things are really difficult at the moment. Starting January 21, 2026 the US stopped giving immigrant visa stamps (green cards) to Pakistani passport holders and nationals from a lot of other countries. You can still send in petitions, do interviews if they call you in, but no green card is being issued until they lift this pause. That stops EB2 and similar green card paths cold for now. Temporary work visas like L1A and L1B are still moving – interviews and stamps are happening, so that’s what most people are working on these days.
This is the actual situation late January 2026 – just what’s really going on at the consulates.
L1A Visa USA – The Manager Transfer Visa
The L1A visa is for when your company sends you from Pakistan or the UAE to the U.S. office as a manager or executive. It’s one of the better choices because there’s no cap, no lottery, and it can lead to a green card later.
What they actually want:
- At least 1 full year working full-time for the foreign company in the last 3 years.
- Your job abroad and the U.S. job have to be managerial/executive – supervising managers, making big decisions, running departments, not just a normal employee role.
- The companies have to be properly linked (parent, subsidiary, branch, affiliate).
- Both sides need to be doing real business – revenue coming in, clients, actual operations.
If the U.S. office is new, they want extra proof – business plan, office lease, funding evidence.
You usually get 3 years first (1 year if new office), can extend up to 7 years total.
Spouse and kids under 21 come on L2 – spouse can apply to work after you arrive.
How to Apply for L1A Visa from Pakistan – What Really Happens
- Your employer sends the I-129 petition to USCIS – they include org charts, proof of your 1-year work, detailed job duties before and after the move, letters explaining company connection, financial statements.
- Almost everyone pays for premium processing (extra $2,805) to get an answer in 15 days.
- If USCIS approves, you fill DS-160 online, pay the visa fee (around $205 plus extras), book interview at Islamabad/Karachi (Pakistan) or Dubai/Abu Dhabi (UAE).
- At the interview you take the I-129 approval notice, company letters, your employment records, passport, photos, org charts.
- They ask simple questions: what do you do, why does the company need you in the US, how are the businesses connected.
- If it's okay, they stamp your passport and you can fly.
Normally takes 3–6 months, premium makes the petition part quick. In 2026 they’re looking extra closely at whether the job is truly managerial and if the companies are real – don’t skip any details or leave things vague.
American L1B Visa Requirements – The Knowledge Transfer One
65k +20k masters cap. March register $215 each. USCIS picks weighted no
L1B is almost the same setup but for employees with “specialized knowledge” – you know the company’s unique products, methods, or secrets in a way most people don’t.
Max stay is 5 years (shorter than L1A’s 7).
Requirements are basically the same as L1A except specialized knowledge instead of manager/executive duties.
Proving “specialized” is usually the hardest part – it can’t be too general or common knowledge in the industry.
w – low wage? Tough. Past odds 30-40%, now worse juniors.
Pakistanis win IT consulting TCS Infosys. UAE faster consulate sometimes.
L1A Green Card Route – How It Turns Into Permanent Stay
L1A has one of the better green card paths – EB1C for multinational managers/executives. No PERM labor test needed – much faster than most other green card categories.
How it goes:
- Work in the US on L1A for at least 1 year (proves the US office is real and running).
- Employer files I-140 for EB1C – prove same managerial role, companies are connected properly.
- I-140 approved and your priority date is current? File I-485 to adjust status (if you're in the US) or do consular process.
- EB-1 usually has short or no backlog compared to EB2/EB3.
But the current pause means no green card stamps for Pakistanis right now. You can file the I-140, but the final step is stuck until the pause ends.
EB2 Visa Requirements – The Advanced Degree Green Card
EB2 is for people with advanced degrees or exceptional ability – another green card option.
What you need:
- Master's degree or higher, or bachelor's + 5 years progressive experience.
- Job offer + PERM (employer proves no qualified US worker) – or skip with National Interest Waiver (NIW) if your work is really important to the US
- NIW is popular for Pakistanis – show your field has big merit, national importance, and you're in a good position to make it happen.
Backlogs are long (dates stuck around 2023/2024). Pause blocks stamping for now.
U.S. Work Visa Requirements – Quick Rundown
Temporary (nonimmigrant):
- L1A/L1B – company transfers.
- H1B – specialty jobs with lottery.
- O1 – extraordinary ability.
Immigrant (green card):
- EB1 – top priority (includes EB1C from L1A).
- EB2 – advanced degree/exceptional ability.
- EB3 – skilled/professional/unskilled.
Most need employer sponsor except NIW or self-petition extraordinary cases.
American Immigrant Visa Types – The Main Categories
- EB1 – extraordinary ability, top professors/researchers, multinational execs (EB1C).
- EB2 – advanced degree or exceptional ability.
- EB3 – skilled workers, professionals, unskilled.
- EB4 – special immigrants (religious workers, broadcasters).
- EB5 – investors (big investment).
Family-based and diversity lottery also exist.
USA Visit Visa Appointment Pakistan – For Short Trips
For B1/B2 visitor visas (tourism, business meetings):
- Fill DS-160 online.
- Pay fee.
- Book on ustraveldocs.com/pk.
- Current waits (Jan 2026): About 6.5 months Islamabad, longer Karachi.
- Not paused – nonimmigrant, so appointments and stamps still happen.
- Emergency slots possible with proof (medical, death in family).
What's Realistic Right Now
For Pakistani nationals in 2026: Green card paths (EB2, EB1C) are blocked by the pause.
Temporary work visas like L1A are still open – best if your company can transfer you.
L1A gives a good green card path once the pause lifts.
Disclaimer:
Some content on this website may be created or assisted using AI technology and is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial, or immigration advice. Please consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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