For many Pakistani families residing across the GCC, conversations around long-term residency planning have started to change in recent months.
While the UAE remains one of the world’s leading destinations for expatriates and international business, broader regional developments appear to be pushing more families to think about what additional long-term options may look like outside the region.
The Strait of Hormuz has once again become part of daily headlines. Drone-related incidents reported across parts of the Gulf, combined with ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, have added another layer of unpredictability to a region where many expatriate families have built businesses, careers, and long-term lives.
At the same time, Pakistan’s growing diplomatic involvement in discussions linked to ongoing regional developments has also drawn increased attention among Pakistani nationals residing across the GCC, particularly families closely following how the situation may evolve politically and economically over the coming months.
At The American Legal Center, these broader conversations are increasingly translating into inquiries surrounding the U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.
“Over the past several months, we have seen a noticeable increase in EB-5 inquiries from Pakistani nationals residing across the GCC,” says Shai Zamanian, Legal Director and EB-5 expert of The American Legal Center. “For many families, the conversation is less about immediate relocation and more about creating additional long-term flexibility for the future.”
The shift is subtle, but noticeable.
Families that may have viewed international residency planning as something to consider years down the line are now starting those conversations much earlier. In many cases, the focus is not solely immigration. It is education planning, business continuity, international mobility, and having additional options available should global conditions become more unpredictable.
The U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program has increasingly become part of those discussions.
Unlike temporary visa pathways tied to employment sponsorship, the EB-5 program offers investors and their immediate family members a direct route to U.S. permanent residency through qualifying investment. For many internationally mobile families, that distinction has become increasingly important.
There is also a growing awareness surrounding the September 30, 2026 grandfathering deadline under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. Investors who file before the deadline are expected to retain certain protections under the current framework even if future legislative changes occur afterward.
As a result, more investors across the GCC are beginning the process earlier while evaluating projects, preparing source of funds documentation, and understanding how the program fits into broader long-term planning for their families.
This is not necessarily a story about families leaving the Gulf. In many cases, it is simply a reflection of how global uncertainty is reshaping the way internationally mobile families think about long-term residency, diversification, and future flexibility.
Also published on Medium.
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