Will I be able to go from a student visa to permanent residence, and if so, how?

[RuskiJoseph 0]

Hi there. 

I'm a 17 year old, residing in Israel, currently studying in university a degree in Economics and PolSci. The university is internationally accredited and I am expected to finish in January 2025. 

I hope to soon start looking for an opportunity to get a student visa a university in the US and complete a master's in economics. 

I would like to know if through this route I will have an option to gain permanent residence after I will finish my degree -

Could I apply for jobs that will sponsor me while on a student visa? Or maybe there is a better/different route?

Thanks in advance.  

[OldUser 6,696]

1 hour ago, RuskiJoseph said:

I would like to know if through this route I will have an option to gain permanent residence after I will finish my degree -

Not directly.

 

The usual route is:

 

F-1 => OPT => H-1B => GC

 

However, you should not have plans (intent) on staying in the US when applying for non-immigrant visa.

 

Being dual intent visa, H-1B is a good option to understand whether you want to stay in the US for good or return back home and do something else.

 

Right before you finish studies, you can get OPT that would allow you to work for some time in the field of study. If employer likes you, they could sponsor you for H-1B.  A few years later, either same or other employer can sponsor you for GC.

Edited November 17, 2023 by OldUser

[Boiler 45,525]

The most common route I have seen is find a USC SO.

 

If you are looking to go via work better to focus on a subject where work sponsorship is more common.

[RuskiJoseph 0]

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

The most common route I have seen is find a USC SO.

 

If you are looking to go via work better to focus on a subject where work sponsorship is more common.

is it not common in the field of finance? 

[Boiler 45,525]

5 minutes ago, RuskiJoseph said:

is it not common in the field of finance? 

No

 

Having said that my Brother and Father both did but that was working for US Multinationals outside the US as Accountants

[Pinkrlion 2,722]

I would say No

[RuskiJoseph 0]

On 11/17/2023 at 11:12 PM, OldUser said:

Not directly.

 

The usual route is:

 

F-1 => OPT => H-1B => GC

 

However, you should not have plans (intent) on staying in the US when applying for non-immigrant visa.

 

Being dual intent visa, H-1B is a good option to understand whether you want to stay in the US for good or return back home and do something else.

 

Right before you finish studies, you can get OPT that would allow you to work for some time in the field of study. If employer likes you, they could sponsor you for H-1B.  A few years later, either same or other employer can sponsor you for GC.

I am sorry for my ignorance if this is a stupid / obvious question, but can said employer which I work for on the OPT sponsor directly for GC or do I have to get an H1B first?

[Boiler 45,525]

2 hours ago, RuskiJoseph said:

I am sorry for my ignorance if this is a stupid / obvious question, but can said employer which I work for on the OPT sponsor directly for GC or do I have to get an H1B first?

Yes

 

H1b is just a temporary work visa and not linked to EB
 

[OldUser 6,696]

3 hours ago, RuskiJoseph said:

I am sorry for my ignorance if this is a stupid / obvious question, but can said employer which I work for on the OPT sponsor directly for GC or do I have to get an H1B first?

They can, but you'll have to convince them.

 

H-1B tends to be cheaper and a bit quicker than GC. Also, employers also realize that a lot of employees change jobs every few years. H-1B allows them to have you for up to 6 years, which probably exceeds or closely matches the time anybody typically want to work for them. In additon, it's a bit harder for employee to switch jobs on H-1B. Once you get GC, you're free as a bird and can leave employer any moment. H-1B is used to retain you too, while promising future sponsorship for GC.

 

I witnessed it myself. Out of 10+ immigrants in previous work, only 1 got sponsored for GC. He worked at the company for 5+ years. Everybody else came and left on H-1B or other work visas, working only 1-3 years on average for that employer.

 

For the same reasons, it's harder to get H-1B right after graduation. Companies want to evaluate the person while they're working on OPT.

 

Edited November 19, 2023 by OldUser