Posted by If you’re almost done with your education in the U.S. and want to make your stay permanent? you may be
wondering how to get permanent residency in the USA?
Many international students come to continue their American dream after graduation from college. Still, many
may be discouraged by the complicated immigration processes required to obtain permanent residency in the
USA for international students.
Assuming the above-mentioned is your case, then no need to panic because this article is here to make the whole
getting a permanent residency in the USA for international students is easy for you.
How to get a Permanent Residency in the USA for International students
The following are the steps to take on how to get a permanent residency in the USA for international students
# 1: 1s to finish your degree.
It may seem apparent, but as an international student, your ability to immigrate to the U.S. and get a green card
depends on completing your studies and earning your degree. It’s the first important step necessary to get
employment following graduation, particularly in an area connected to your study degree.
Maintaining your student status is essential if you want to keep your options open as a holder of an F-1 visa. You
are not permitted to leave the U.S. for more than five months at a time as an international student.
To be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT), you must get a new I-20,
student visa, and SEVIS record if you are gone for longer.
# 2: Work under the OPT program
You may apply for the OPT, a temporary employment program that allows you to work before and after
graduation for up to 12 months in an area relevant to your degree studies while you are on an F-1 visa. You must
have completed a full academic year of study in the U.S. to be eligible for an OPT.
Graduates in STEM fields are eligible to petition for an extension of up to 24 months to continue their post-study
OPT employment, subject to specific requirements. If you fall into this group, there’s even better news: the Biden
administration added 22 more high-demand STEM disciplines of study to the OPT in January 2022 to draw more
foreign talent to the U.S.
# 3: Change the kind of your visa.
Even while the OPT provision may let you work under the F-1 visa, it cannot be extended when it expires. To
continue having the ability to live and work in the U.S.; you will need to get a new visa.
You will need an H-1B visa and a work permit for specialist jobs requiring highly specialized expertise obtained via
a bachelor’s degree or above. The only issue? Your employer from a US-based business prepared to sponsor your
visa must apply.
Once you have an H-1B, you cannot work for another employer or launch your own business since your visa is tied
to that particular organization. The three-year visa can be renewed for a further three years.
For many aspiring immigrants who attended U.S. institutions, this stage is often the difference between success
and failure. As there is a strict quota for the H-1B visa among a pool of outstanding candidates, you will need to
depend on solid professional relationships. You must have established yourself as important to your business.
#4: Apply for a green card in the United States.
Your employer will need to submit an H-1B visa petition on your behalf to apply for a green card after the H-1B’s
six-year maximum duration has passed. Furthermore, you may be able to locate a new company that will sponsor
your application for a green card.
H-1B to green card status is a tough transition. You should make detailed plans and start the procedure while your
H-1B visa is still in effect since obtaining permanent residence in the U.S. may take months and include many steps
with no assurance of success.
The application is currently out of your hands. The Department of Labour (DOL) must have your employer’s
Programme Electronic
Review Management (PERM) certification before undergoing several evaluations and procedures, including
demonstrating that no local U.S. employees can fill your job. Your company may only submit Form I-140 to prove
that you are qualified for a U.S. green card after proving there are no qualified local candidates for the position.
Conclusion
Even though it takes a lot of time and works to become a legal permanent resident in the U.S., the benefits of a
successful application make an effort worthwhile. You have the freedom to lawfully travel, work, and reside
anywhere in the U.S. as long as you have a green card. You can also take advantage of additional perks, including
Social Security payments and legal protection under U.S. laws.
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FAQS
Are there any other options for getting a U.S. green card?
Sadly, there are very few options for foreigners who want to come to the U.S. but have no family or business ties.
In addition to the H-1B, those who want to work and live in the U.S. may apply for the L-1 visa or the very
specialized EB-1 visa issued to persons of extraordinary ability (POA) green card, which is often designated for
well-known performers or renowned researchers.
What is the best way for international students to get permanent residence?
When you enter the United States on an F-1 student visa, you may be able to adjust your status in one of several ways.
The five most common ways to turn an F-1 visa into lawful permanent residency are:
- Self-petitioning as a person of extraordinary ability
- Receiving employer sponsorship
- Adjusting status to a dual-intent visa
- Becoming an investor
- Marrying a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Can an international student get U.S. citizenship?
Many students who want to study in the United States can go with a student visa, which is classified as non-
immigrant status. However, this visa does not allow an international student to become a permanent resident of the United States of America.
An international student is usually required to leave the U.S. as soon as the studies are complete and one year of
training has been completed (if applicable). This visa for the U.S. can be obtained in the student’s home country.
For master’s students, a 3 years student visa is issued; for bachelor’s students, a 5 years student visa is issued
as an adequate length of study. How international students can get U.S. citizenship, usually starting with an F-1 visa and evolving from there.
If a student has amassed four years of holding a valid H1B visa, they can apply for permanent residence,
commonly referred to as a green card. Based on the student’s specialized knowledge, the applicant needs
approval from the company they work for to apply for a green card.
An applicant has to go through various stages: approval of an application, a labor permit, and then final approval
of a green card for permanent U.S. citizenship. Understanding this process explains how international students can
get U.S. citizenship with the least amount of red tape.