As we all know, it is even more difficult to apply for a green card in the United States, and most graduates in the United States still follow the conventional "F-1 OPT H1B green card". However, the H1B visa is very difficult to draw, more and more people apply, the winning rate is comparable to winning the lottery, and there is a risk of being cancelled.
But it's different nowOn December 20, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a policy update for international students on its websiteThe content provides detailed answers to the questions of employment authorization applications, status changes, residence extensions, and status restoration applications for international students and their dependents in the United States.
One of the important guidelines is:InInternational students in the U.S. can apply for a green card directly, and there will be no impact on their status during the application process. In other words, even if an international student renews his or her visa in his or her home country, or if he or she leaves the U.S. and re-enters the country, he or she will not be denied or deported because of his or her intention to immigrate.
However, F and M visa students can be applicants for permanent labor certification or immigrant visas, provided that they maintain their foreign citizenship and do not intend to permanently abandon their home country, and they need to prove that they have the intention to return to their home country after temporarily staying in the United States. As long as you meet the above requirements, you may have the opportunity to travel to the United States on a student visa at the same time as applying for a green card.
The USCIS said that this update does not change the original policy, but only further explains and clarifies some vague or ambiguous provisions on the basis of the original.
In addition, the guide is aimed at:STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).International students in the field released good news:
International students in STEM fields can choose to work in a startup during the OPT phase, as long as the employer satisfies:
Follow the outlined training plan
Be in good standing in e-verify
Provide OPT expatriates with the same compensation as U.S. employees, etc
This is a two-way path for startups and international students!Startups retain high-end overseas talent, and at the same time help international students with work visas and green cards.
However, there are not many ways for international students to apply for a green card directly, and if they apply on their own, they can only apply through the "high-profile" version of the "EB-1" and the "low-profile" version of the extraordinary ability (NIW), and the international students who can achieve the above two types of immigration are at least studying for a master's degree or above.
In other words, the vast majority of international students still need an employer to submit an application if they want to get a green card.
The good news released by the United States this time is precisely to retain more "high-end" talents, and the importance of employment in the United States is revealed, so don't think that everything will be fine when you study abroad, and you need to plan and prepare early for majors, colleges and employment directions!
U.S. Green Card