The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service officially announced that F1 visa students can apply fo

Mondo Tourism Updated on 2024-03-08

A few days ago, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officially updated its policy guidelines for students on F and M visas. It explains in detail the relevant issues of non-immigration policy in various aspects such as application requirements, transfers, internships, and on-campus employment.

Among them, there is a policy that clearly states.

International students on an F-1 student visa

You can apply for a U.S. green card!

Previously, USCIS was not specifically clear about whether F-1 visa students could apply for a green card. But judging by the actual situation,Many F-1 students are denied access to the OPT employee process because of their immigration intentions.

So, if you want to stay in the United States. Most international students still chooseF-1 – OPT Internship – H1B – Green CardThis way.

However, the visa screening for H1B applications is already very strict, and the annual pass rate is very low, let alone applying for a green card.

And this updated policy just illustrates these problems.

Redefining F and M visas

Nonimmigrant Academic Student (F-1) Category:For full-time students at colleges, universities, seminaries, ** colleges, academic high schools, elementary schools, or other academic institutions, or students in language training programs.

Nonimmigrant Vocational Student (M-1) Category:For students in vocational or non-academic programs.

International students can apply for a green card

As mentioned in the new policy, international students who apply for a green card while studying or OPT will not be affected by their current visa.

Provided, yesThere is oneLong-term residence in a foreign country and requires them to have a clear intention to return to their home country.

Of course, there is no threshold for international students to apply for a green card directly, which also requires the student to be "outstanding and excellent enough". Only the NIW National Interest Waiver under EB-1A under EB-1 and EB-2 does not require employer support.

STEM OPT and Startups

Also for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).For F-1 students in the fieldAt the OPT stage, they can choose to work in a startup.

And startups must comply with specific requirements:

Adhere to the outlined training plan

Be in good standing in e-verify

and provide the same pay as U.S. workers

Not long ago, Biden signed the first executive order on artificial intelligence, vigorously recruiting talents in the field of artificial intelligence. This means that AI will become a major research area in the United States, and high-tech people in this area will be needed in the United States

This creates new jobs and further protects the rights and interests of foreign nationals to work in the United States.

With the update of this policy, for international students, students who want to get PR have a clear direction to strive for. That's good news!

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