The process may involve two aspects for immigrants who want to migrate from Pakistan to the United States. Here is an outline:
Decide qualification
There are different relocation routes to the US, like family reference, trade-based visas, the big variety lottery, and projects of compassion.
Pick the migration category
If your situation is different, you may be eligible for family or employment-based immigration provided you have relatives who are U.S. residents or valid permanent residents or that your employer has offered you a job.
Family support
In case you know a relative or acquaintance who is a citizen or a green card holder in the United States, they can help you get a visa and immigration. Sponsorship by a family member or employer is needed. Form I-130 is filed on the sponsor’s behalf should it be accepted, you can apply for an immigrant visa.
Work-based immigration
If you have a job offer letter from a U.S. employer, you may qualify for a nonimmigrant work visa. A person should usually get a worker verification from the Work Division and then fill and file an Outsider Demand (Example I-140) for you.
Diversity visa lottery
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery is a program that allows selective immigrant nations with low immigration numbers to the U.S. to have a shot at getting in. In case you are lucky and get picked, you can try applying for the Direct Visa worker nonimmigrant category.
Humanitarian programs
There are many various humanitarian programs, for example, immigrants and asylum, which are opposite to each other such as away people, asylum seeking and special visas for some categories like Afghan and Iraqi people working with the U.S. government.
File Immigration petitions
Once you have been through the assessment to see if you are qualified and identify a sponsor or employer, you should file the relevant immigration petitions or applications to the US authority Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the United States or the United States Department of State. 8
Immigrant visa processing
So, if your application is approved, the immigrant visa processing starts in the U.S. embassy or consulate in Pakistan and requires filling out certain forms, attending interviews, and passing the health examinations.
Go to the United States
You may only be able to migrate to the US when the work visa is given. However, after this phase, you may decide to become a permanent green card holder. Once you appear, the card with the green border will be handed to you that authorizes you to live and work in the US steadily.
The cost of migration
The cost of migration i.e. evasion of legal procedures, spending on legal aid, costs associated with certifying the requirements, and cost of living are the main factors that determine the total cost of immigration to the USA from Pakistan. Here are a few normal costs to consider:
Visa fees
In the course of your application, you’ll be required to pay visa fees. Migrant visa application costs can vary from just a few hundred to even a thousand dollars.
Legitimate fees
Let’s say you decide to engage a migration lawyer to help you with the completion of the application, you will have to make a money plan for the liability you will bear for their expertise and services that may vary per the complexity of your case and the services provided.
Costs of documentation
Having mandatory documents such as passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational transcripts, and certificates proving the absence of police records, may need payment for translators and notaries.
Wellbeing Checks
Those applicants in different visa categories may need to take the medical test, paying for both the test and the vaccination part of the process.
Travel expenses
This includes ticket fares or other charges which one has to use for travelling from Pakistan to the US.
Immigration processing fees
Owing to the additional processing that may be due to USCIS filing fees or DS-260 immigrant visa application, in addition to visa application fees, besides visa application fees.
Biometrics fees
In this case, you will need to shell out money for some other services like fingerprinting or biometrics as well.
Settlement funds
This can vary depending on the type of visa attained. Where you might be required to display that you do have enough financial support to cover yourself and any family members who are expected to accompany you when you arrive in the United States.
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