Overseas Pakistanis Visa Guide: How Overseas Pakistanis Can Secure Canadian Super Visas, US Green Cards, Saudia Premium Residency, UAE Golden visa and More for Their Parents!
Bringing your parents to join you abroad can be a heartwarming and transformative experience for many overseas Pakistanis. Regardless of whether you’re settled in the US, Canada, England, Australia, or the Middle East, there are diverse legal pathways available to assist your parents in coming and staying with you in this overseas Pakistanis Visa guide.
Here’s how you can turn this dream into a reality.
How to Bring My Parents to United States?
1. Determine Eligibility:
- If you are a Pakistani who is also a U.S. Citizen: If you are a U.S. citizen aged 21 or older, you can sponsor your parents as immediate relatives to become permanent residents (Green Card holders).
- Requirements: Prove your relationship to your parents and demonstrate the ability to support them financially.
2. File the Petition:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: Start the process by filing Form I-130 for each parent. This form establishes the relationship between you and your parents.
3. Await Petition Approval and Visa Availability:
- Parents of U.S. citizens fall into the immediate relatives category, meaning there is no limit on the number of visas available each year.
4. Apply for the Green Card:
- After the I-130 petition is approved, your parents can choose to apply for a Green Card through consular processing outside the U.S. Alternatively, if they are already in the U.S. legally, they can adjust their status. Latter may be preferred by most.
Visit Visas (B-2 Tourist Visa)
1. Apply for a B-2 Tourist Visa:
- If your goal is for your parents to visit you in the U.S. temporarily, they can apply for a B-2 Tourist Visa, allowing them to stay for up to 6 months.
- Application Process: This involves completing Form DS-160, scheduling a visa interview, and preparing the necessary documentation, including proof of ties to their home country.
2. Extend the Visit:
- Extension of Stay: It’s possible to apply for an extension of stay for your parents under certain circumstances by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with USCIS.
Investment Visas (EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program)
1. Explore the EB-5 Visa:
- The EB-5 Visa provides a pathway to U.S. residency for investors who can make a substantial investment in a new commercial enterprise in the United States.
- Minimum Investment Amounts: As of my last update, the minimum investment required is $1.8 million, or $900,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
2. Application Process:
- Invest and File Petition: The process involves making the qualifying investment and filing Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor. Upon approval, your parents can apply for conditional permanent residency.
3. Adjust to Permanent Residency:
- After two years, your parents can seek to remove the conditions on their residency by filing Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status.
Key Considerations:
- Legal and Financial Advice: Navigating investment options, especially, requires professional legal and financial advice to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws and investment standards.
- Documentation and Evidence: For all visa applications, thorough preparation of documentation is crucial. This includes financial statements, proof of relationship, and evidence of ties to the home country for tourist visas.
- Patience and Preparation: Immigration processes can be lengthy and require patience. It’s essential to prepare applications carefully and respond promptly to any requests from immigration authorities.
Helpful Links and Contact Information:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): uscis.gov
- U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs: For visa applications www.travel.state.gov
- This link will give you pertinent information to start the process: https://www.usa.gov/sponsor-family-member
Visa Appointment Services: ustraveldocs.com
How to Bring My Parents to Canada?
Family Sponsorship (Parents and Grandparents Program)
Eligibility Criteria:
- Firstly, individuals must be at least 18 years old.
- Additionally, sponsorship is open to Canadian citizens, those registered under the Canadian Indian Act, and permanent residents of Canada.
- Moreover, sponsors must demonstrate sufficient income to support their family members, meeting or surpassing the program’s minimum income requirements. This requirement ensures that sponsored family members do not need to seek financial assistance from the government.
Application Process:
- Interest to Sponsor Form: The first step involves submitting an online interest to sponsor form. It’s available on the Government of Canada’s website for a limited time at the beginning of each year.
- Invitation to Apply: Due to the high demand, a lottery system is used to randomly select potential sponsors who submitted the interest to sponsor form. If selected, you will receive an invitation to apply to sponsor your parents or grandparents.
- Application Package: Once invited, you’ll have 60 days to submit a complete application package, which includes various forms and documents to prove your eligibility and that of your parents or grandparents.
- Processing: The application processing time can vary, and it includes assessing your eligibility as a sponsor, as well as the admissibility of your parents or grandparents to Canada.
Super Visa
Eligibility Criteria:
- Your parents or grandparents must be eligible for a regular visitor visa.
- Firstly, they must show that they have a child or grandchild in Canada meeting a minimum income threshold, guaranteeing financial support during the stay.
- Additionally, sponsors must secure Canadian medical insurance coverage for a minimum of one year.
- They must undergo and pass an immigration medical examination.
Application Process:
- Application Form: The application for a Super Visa is similar to that for a regular visitor visa but requires additional documentation to prove the eligibility criteria are met.
- Documentation: This includes proof of the child or grandchild’s minimum necessary income, medical insurance coverage for the parent or grandparent, and a letter of invitation from the child or grandchild living in Canada.
- Submit Application: The application can be submitted online or at a Visa Application Centre. Details on how to apply and the necessary forms can be found on the IRCC’s Super Visa page.
Contact Information
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):
- For detailed queries or assistance, it’s advisable to contact IRCC directly through their web form.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Stay Informed: Immigration policies and procedures can change. Always refer to the official Government of Canada website for the most up-to-date information.
- Prepare Financially: Whether you are applying for the Family Sponsorship Program or the Super Visa, demonstrating financial stability is key.
- Gather Documentation Early: Begin collecting necessary documents as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Consider Health Insurance: For the Super Visa, obtaining comprehensive medical insurance for your parents or grandparents from a Canadian insurance company is mandatory. You can apply for Manulife travel insurance to visit Canada online or by calling 1-877-268-3763. Have your travel dates, contact information, and credit card or bank information on hand. You can also compare quotes for your parent’s super visa insurance here: https://rates.ca/insurance-quotes/travel/super-visa
How to Bring My Parents to UK?
Family Visa for Parents:
- Eligibility: You can apply to bring a parent to the UK if you’re a British citizen, settled in the UK, have humanitarian protection, or are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status.
- Financial Requirement: You must prove you can financially support them without recourse to public funds.
- Application Process: Applications are made from outside the UK. Use the official UK Government website to start the application.
Contact Information:
- UK Visas and Immigration Contact Centre: For general inquiries, contact information is available on the government’s official website.
How to Bring My Parents to the Middle East?
Bringing parents to live with you in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar—can offer them a unique blend of traditional and modern lifestyles, rich cultural experiences, and high-quality living standards. Each of these countries has its own set of regulations and pathways for family reunification, including investment opportunities like purchasing real estate. Here’s a rough guide to help you navigate through the process of reuniting with your parents in these Middle Eastern nations.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Residence Visa for Parents:
- Sponsorship: Expatriates with a valid residency permit can sponsor their parents to come and live in the UAE by applying for a residence visa.
- Minimum Salary Requirement: Generally, the sponsor must have a minimum salary of AED 20,000 or AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation.
- Health Insurance: Mandatory health insurance for the parents.
- Security Deposit: A refundable deposit is required for each parent.
Real Estate Investment:
- Investment Visa: Purchasing a property worth at least AED 2 million grants the investor a renewable residence visa.
- Eligibility for Parents: The property owner can sponsor their parents under certain conditions, including providing proof of housing and income stability.
You can learn more about golden visa eligibility here: https://visaindex.com/golden-visa/uae/
Saudi Arabia
Permanent Family Visa:
- Sponsorship: Saudi expatriates can apply for a permanent family visa to bring their parents to live with them.
- Requirements: The sponsor must provide evidence of financial stability, appropriate accommodation, and a valid residency permit.
Saudi Premium Residency
This is a residence permit in Saudi Arabia that gives foreign nationals the right to live, work, and own businesses and property in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without requiring a sponsor. Premium Residency is aimed at attracting talents, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to Saudi Arabia as a means of growing the country’s economy. Since its launch, it has garnered substantial international attention, signifying a major step in diversifying the Saudi economy and attracting top-tier talent and investments from around the world.
Launched in 2019 and informally referred to as the “Saudi Green Card”, the program initially provided two options: a one-year residency with the possibility of renewal (limited duration) and a permanent (unlimited duration) residency. In recent Saudi Green Card news, significant updates have been made to the program. In early 2024, Saudi Arabia broadened the Premium Residency program by streamlining the application process and expanding the eligibility criteria.
Your parents will also receive Premium Residence as dependents of primary Premium Residency holders.
Check here for more details: https://visaindex.com/golden-visa/saudi-arabia/
Oman
Family Joining Visa:
- Sponsorship: Expatriates working in Oman can sponsor their parents to come and live in the country.
- Conditions: The sponsor needs to prove a minimum monthly income (varies by profession) and secure adequate health insurance.
Real Estate Investment:
- Oman recently allowed expatriates to own real estate in certain areas, potentially opening doors for residency benefits. However, specific guidelines for sponsoring parents based on property investment are not clearly defined and may require consultation with Omani authorities.
Qatar
Family Residence Visa:
- Sponsorship: Residents with a valid Qatari ID can apply for a family residence visa for their parents.
- Income Requirement: The sponsor must have a minimum income of QAR 10,000 (varies) and provide accommodation proof.
- Health Insurance: Not mandatory but recommended for healthcare access.
Real Estate Investment:
- Investment for Residency: Investing in real estate in designated areas can make one eligible for a Qatar residency permit.
- Eligibility for Parents: While the investment visa offers benefits to the investor, sponsoring parents may require meeting additional criteria set by the Qatari government.
General Steps for GCC Countries
- Assess Eligibility and Requirements: Each country has specific criteria for sponsorship and investment. Ensure you meet these requirements before proceeding.
- Gather Necessary Documentation: This typically includes proof of income, employment, accommodation, and the parent’s identification documents.
- Apply for Sponsorship or Investment Visa: Depending on the chosen pathway, submit the application along with the required documents to the relevant authority.
- Fulfill Health Insurance and Accommodation Needs: Ensure your parents have access to healthcare and suitable living conditions.
- Navigate Legal and Regulatory Requirements: Consider consulting with legal experts or real estate advisors to understand the implications of property investment for residency.
Investment Rough Sketch
- UAE: Property worth at least AED 1 million.
- Qatar: Investment areas and amounts vary; typically in the range of QAR 730,000 to QAR 1.5 million for a residency permit.
How to Bring My Parents to Australia?
Understanding Your Options
1. Parent Visa (Subclass 103 and Contributory Parent Visa Subclasses 143 & 173):
Australia’s Parent Visa options are designed for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to migrate to Australia permanently. Key points include:
- Balance-of-Family Test: At least half of your children must reside in Australia or more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country.
- Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/173): These visas have higher application costs but offer a faster processing time. The Subclass 173 is a temporary option, leading to the permanent Subclass 143 visa.
2. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870):
Introduced to allow parents of Australians to stay for a longer duration, this visa lets parents live in Australia for up to 5 years at a time, with a possibility of renewal for another 5 years.
- Sponsorship Approval: Before applying for the visa, your Australian child needs to be approved as a sponsor.
- No Balance-of-Family Test Required: This visa does not require you to meet the balance-of-family test.
3. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600 – Long Stay Option):
For those not seeking permanent residency, the Visitor Visa offers a way for parents to spend up to 12 months in Australia.
- Sponsorship: While not mandatory, having a child sponsor the application can enhance the chances of approval.
- Application: Application can be made from outside Australia and, in some cases, from within, provided the current visa allows for a new application.
Actionable Steps for Overseas Pakistanis
Step 1: Assess Eligibility
Start by assessing which visa option best suits your family’s needs. Consider factors like the length of stay, cost, and eligibility criteria such as the balance-of-family test.
Step 2: Gather Documentation
Collect necessary documents for both the parent(s) and the sponsoring child in Australia. This typically includes identity documents, proof of relationship, and evidence of the sponsor’s status in Australia.
Step 3: Sponsorship Application (If Required)
For visas requiring sponsorship, the Australian child must apply to become an approved sponsor. This process involves proving their residency status and agreeing to support the parent(s) financially and with accommodation.
Step 4: Visa Application
Once sponsorship is approved (if applicable), proceed with the visa application. Ensure all forms are accurately completed and all required documents are submitted to avoid delays.
Step 5: Health and Character Requirements
Applicants may need to undergo health examinations and provide police certificates to meet the visa requirements.
Step 6: Await Decision
Processing times can vary widely depending on the visa type. Stay informed by checking the status of your application online through the Department of Home Affairs website.
Step 7: Prepare for Arrival
Once the visa is granted, prepare for your parents’ arrival in Australia. Consider their housing, healthcare, and social integration into the Australian way of life.
Contact Information:
For detailed information, application forms, and to start the process, visit the Department of Home Affairs website at homeaffairs.gov.au.
Conclusion:
In an ideal world, we would have our loved ones by our side, especially our parents, as they grow older. However, the reality is often complicated by various challenges – from the reluctance of parents to leave the familiarity of Pakistan, to the daunting hurdles of visas, financial constraints, or even spousal disagreements. But this doesn’t mean their health and well-being should be left to chance.
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