Dr Mohammad Shafiq
Getting a permanent residency is a goal most international students aspire to after completing their higher studies in the USA. Why not? A PR allows one to live and work in the United States indefinitely, the right to travel freely in other countries, and a gateway to US citizenship in five years. International students have several pathways to PR after study, including family-based, employment-based, and DV Lottery visas. In this guide, we will explore how to get PR in the USA after study.
You might wonder how to get a green card in USA for students. There are several options and pathways. Let’s explore them.
The United States has several employment-based visa categories that allow international students to live and work indefinitely. You will need specific skills, education, and a valid job offer from a US employer to get an employment-based visa.
The eligibility criteria for different employment-based visas are as follows:
You will need a valid passport with a visa, academic transcripts, work experience evidence, English proficiency proof, and a medical examination report to apply for this visa. An employment-based PR application is a complex process. Your US employer must apply to the USCIS on your behalf. Once you get an employment-based visa, you can eventually apply for a green card.
Family-based immigration is another way an international student can obtain PR after completing higher study in the US. This option is only available to students with an immediate family member who is a US citizen or PR holder.
Requirements for this type of visa depend on visa categories. However, here are some USA green card requirements:
To apply for a family-based visa in the US, you will need a valid passport with a visa, your birth and marriage certificate, proof of your relationship with the US citizen or PR, and a medical examination report. Your family member will have to file a petition with the USCIS on your behalf to obtain a family-based visa.
The Diversity Visa Lottery is a random visa selection process that allows people to get Permanent Residency from countries with low rates of immigration to the US. Under this policy, only a limited number of visas are available yearly.
Here are the eligibility criteria for the DV Lottery program:
Applying for a DV lottery is a simple process. You have to apply for it online or by mail. Once selected in the DV lottery, you will be invited to apply for green card.
OPT or Optional Practical Training is a visa program that allows international students from a US university to work in the United States for up to 12 months after graduation.
After the OPT period, they will have several options for working and staying in the US, such as working with an H-1B visa, taking up a job, or starting a business and applying for PR.
It’s a temporary work visa for highly skilled immigrants to work in the United States. International students can apply for this visa after completing their higher studies in the US. Here are the green card requirements post-study work visa in USA:
To sponsor this visa, the US employer must file a labor certificate on behalf of the international student with the US Department of Labor. The DOL will review the application and see whether any US worker is there to fill the position. If not, the employer can file an H-1B visa petition with the USCIS for the international student.
After getting an H-1B visa, the international student can live and work in the US. If the US employer is willing to sponsor a green card, the visa holder can apply for a PR in the US through the employment-based visa categories.
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The employment sponsorship visa categories are divided into 5 preference categories:
Immediate relatives of US citizens do not have to wait in line for a green card. They can apply for permanent residency as soon as their petition is approved. It’s the easiest way to get PR in USA.
Family preference categories apply to relatives of US citizens and permanent residents who are not immediate relatives. US immigration policy has four family preference categories:
The application process for a family-based PR varies based on your category. Here are the common steps:
The waiting period for the application process depends on factors like visa category and your country of origin. Here are the documents you’ll need for the process:
You might want to know how to get a green card in USA without much effort. The answer is DV Lottery. The Diversity Visa lottery is a popular visa program in selected countries with a low US immigration rate. However, you will need to meet a few eligibility criteria, like:
To apply for a DV Lottery, all you have to do is apply online or via mail. Generally, the proceedings start in early October and conclude in early November.
The selection process of the DV Lottery is arbitrary. All the applications are entered into a computer system, and the computer randomly selects the winners. If you are selected, you'll get an email or mail. Then you will be invited to apply for a green card.
At this stage, you must create an account on the USCIS website, submit your application, and provide supportive documents. Then you must pass a medical test and finally pay the application fees.
The following resources will help you throughout the process of obtaining a PR in the US:
Yes, you can apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in the USA after studying by transitioning from a student visa to a work visa and then applying for a Green Card through employment or other eligibility categories.
Common pathways include family, employment, and student visas. Employment-based visas, family sponsorship, asylum, the Green Card lottery, and military service are notable options.
Gaining permanent residency (PR) in the USA after studying can be challenging, involving complex processes like securing a job and navigating visa categories like H-1B, with no direct study-to-PR pathway. Success rates vary by individual circumstances.
OPT allows international students from a US university to work in the United States for up to 12 months post-graduation, with a possible 24-month extension for certain STEM fields. This experience can lead to work visa sponsorship or PR.
After obtaining a work visa like H-1B, an employer can sponsor the employee for a Green Card under various employment-based visa categories such as EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5.
The EB-2 NIW is for individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities, focusing on future positive impacts in the U.S., like job creation or public service.
Yes, fields like IT, engineering, and healthcare often have a high demand for skilled professionals, offering better chances for employment and subsequent PR.
Employer sponsorship is crucial, as the employer must file applications with relevant authorities and can eventually sponsor the employee's Green Card application.
Networking is vital for finding employment opportunities and securing PR. It involves building professional relationships, attending job fairs, and participating in relevant activities.
Universities like UCLA and the University of Texas offer programs that provide career counseling, workshops, and networking events, aiding in securing employment and PR.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can apply for PR without waiting in line. This is often seen as the easiest way to obtain PR.
The processing time for a Green Card application can range from 6 months to 33 months, depending on various factors.
PR application in the US is a complex process with many steps, rules, and regulations. Awareness of how to get PR in USA after study bolsters your confidence during the application phase. Permanent residency in the US is a lifetime chance, so do not hesitate to use any available resources. Since it's a long process and can take months, I suggest you start the application process as early as possible.
July 27 2024
July 18 2024
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