Can you turn a temporary work visa to permanent?

[james12 0]

I am wondering if it possible to get a temporary job and then once it is up possibly have your employer sponsor you to stay permanently?

Thanks

[aleful 1,905]

hi

no, but there are work visas, such as the H1B that allow you to become a permanent resident eventually after a certain number of years

depending on the visa, a temporary visa is what the name says

you cannot stay in the US with a work visa indefinitely

[HollywoodNorth 22]

If your employer wants to file a new visa for you, you could obtain a dual intent visa [allow you or them to file for a green card] vs a purely temporary visa. A temporary visa would not allow you to file for a green card. But switching to a dual intent visa would give that option.

For example, a Canadian could start work at a US company on a temporary TN-1 visa. After 2 years, the company wishes to keep the employee around for the foreseeable future, they can petition and file for an H1B visa while the worker is on their TN-1 visa. Once the H1B is approved, the worker/company have a few options in order to file for a green card.

The situation will vary from person to person, company to company, etc.

So, yes there are ways that would allow an employer to do this. In most cases it usually means filing the employee under a new visa type.

Edited February 12, 2016 by HollywoodNorth

[Boiler 45,516]

He is 17, not is school, Brother has petitioned him and looking for a way in before he hits 30 ish.

On the other Board suggested he get an education first.

[james12 0]

He is 17, not is school, Brother has petitioned him and looking for a way in before he hits 30 ish.

On the other Board suggested he get an education first.

This is correct however I am in school at the moment, i just don't want to go to University/College but it seems like most employers don't give you a decent job unless you have a bunch of experience or have a degree. Am I correct in saying this?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Yes it's possible. Extremely unlikely in your case with immigrant intent to be able to get a temp job.

[Boiler 45,516]

Always get a job in McDonalds, TSA whatever with no qualifications.

But they are not going to sponsor someone from outside the US.

Costs money to sponsor someone for a job and a lot of people looking for work here.

If you want to live the American Dream you need qualifications.

[HollywoodNorth 22]

This is correct however I am in school at the moment, i just don't want to go to University/College but it seems like most employers don't give you a decent job unless you have a bunch of experience or have a degree. Am I correct in saying this?

Completely correct.

You'll need a degree + work experience in a "in demand" field.

[kzielu 1,149]

hi

no, but there are work visas, such as the H1B that allow you to become a permanent resident eventually after a certain number of years

depending on the visa, a temporary visa is what the name says

you cannot stay in the US with a work visa indefinitely

Not true, H-1B expires after a number of years and does not give any clear path to permanent residence. Neither L-1 does. Only way is to convince employer to file for EB green card or file yourself as NIW (clearly not the case for the OP).

[HollywoodNorth 22]

Not true, H-1B expires after a number of years and does not give any clear path to permanent residence. Neither L-1 does. Only way is to convince employer to file for EB green card or file yourself as NIW (clearly not the case for the OP).

That's correct, a H1B, O1, L1 doesn't guarantee a green card, it's up to the individual and their employer to figure something out. One of my friends made it a condition of his employment that his H1B job filed for an EB2 on his behalf and he had his Green Card within 2 and a half years. Another friend's employer wasn't interested in filing the paperwork so he changed job and visas to one that did. You have to be proactive about it.

On the other hand I had a co-worker on one of my last US jobs who wasn't proactive and after 2 H1B's and 2 O1's decided that after 10 years of working on visas to start looking at ways to get a green card. That's usually something you do on day one of a dual intent visa. Don't be that guy.

But it's all moot point if OP is a minor.