Can F1 Students Apply For a Green Card?

The F-1 visa opens the door for international students to enter the United States as a full-time student at an academic institution. F1 visa holders dream of a successful academic experience and desire to carve out a permanent place for themselves in the American dream.

So, there is a good chance that students are interested in applying for a Green Card to rightfully live and work in the US.

To fulfill this, F1 students can apply for a Green Card in many ways, including self-petition (E-1A) and job sponsorship. It is noteworthy that a Green Card can give you several significant citizen rights such as living permanently in the US, working, having legal protection, and getting a driver’s license.

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Can F1 students apply for a Green Card?

Yes, an international student can apply for a Green Card and approach high-paying jobs with full citizen rights. Its key requirements are labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer.

However, the process is not without its challenges. During the approval of the F1 visa, the US Embassy allegedly focuses on International students’ commitment to go back to their own country after the completion of the program.

They make sure to go through all the proofs to confirm that the international students will not take any possible action to stay illegally abroad.

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Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students

F1 students can apply for up to one to three years of OPT (Optional Practical Training), an employment benefit provided to international students after the completion of studies in their study-related field.

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How to get a Green Card as an F1 Student?

Eligible F1 students can get a Green Card with H-1B

• H-1B- H1B is highly competitive with the benefits of living and working with a sponsoring employer for up to three years, can be renewed for up to 3 years, and has the option to apply for an employment-based Green Card after the completion of 6 years.

• If you have talent, luck, or at least 5 years of skilled work experience then the applicant can also try for these three ways for the Green Card.

• Self-petition with extraordinary abilities or achievement (EB-1A)

The F1 visa students with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, athletics, or business can apply for EB-1A. The other eligible extraordinary abilities or achievements are listed below.

• For researchers or professors with significant research.Professionals with Olympic medals, Oscars, or Pulitzer Prize.
• Attained commercial success through your art.

• Job sponsorship (EB-2 or EB-3)- If the F1 visa holder is employed while studying then that individual can ask the employer to make an application for EB-2 or EB3, the second and third-preference employment-based green card.

An applicant can qualify for an EB-2 visa if the individual has one of the requirements fulfilled.

• Holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and five years of progressive job experience.
• Individual with extraordinary achievements in the field of sciences, business, or arts.

An applicant is eligible for an EB-3 visa if the individual is fit for one of these categories.

• Skilled worker with two years of training, experience, or education aligning with labor certification requirements.
• Professional with basic requirements for entry in the occupation like a U.S. baccalaureate or foreign equivalent degree

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How much time does it take for an F1 student to get a Green Card?

An F1 student takes between 12-60 months to apply for a Green Card process through one of the employment-based programs. However, it can vary depending on the several factors that occur throughout the process.

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Application Process for Green Card

• Eligibility: F1 visa students are eligible, if they have received a job offer with a requirement of an advanced degree, at least five years of work experience, or attained a national interest waiver. 
• Required Forms: Filing the form I-140 and the other relevant forms with USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), which mostly takes six to twelve months.
• Application process: This part includes an interview after USCIS evaluates your application with a thorough background check.
• Green Card: After one to two months of post-approval the Green Card is mailed to the applicant with the status of lawful permanent resident in the U.S.

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Key Tips for F1 Visa Students

• Research and prepare for work visas before you graduate to meet the qualifications for competitive visas like the EB-1A. 
• Make a significant individual achievement to get featured in the school press.
• Strive for the best positions in a reputable organization.
• Curate your work profile relevant to your study fieldwork experience

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