F1 Visa to Green Card: A Student's Guide
In the realm of international education, F1 students find themselves at a crossroads as graduation beckons – can their academic pursuits transition to a permanent American Dream?
This article sheds light on the prospects of F1 visa holders obtaining a Green Card, uncovering the avenues, challenges, and potential rewards that this journey entails.
Table of Contents
What Is an F1 Visa?
An F1 visa is a U.S. student visa for international students who have been accepted to enroll full-time in an academic educational program in the United States such as:
- College or University
- Seminary
- Conservatory
- Senior High School
- Language Training Program
- Other Academic Institution
The academic program must be approved by the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
NOTE: International students who are accepted to enroll full-time in a recognized vocational or other non-academic program (excluding language training programs) in the United States would apply for the M visa.
In general, an international student will need to apply to an academic program at a SEVIS-approved educational institution in the United States and receive a Letter of Acceptance to enroll full-time in the approved academic program.
After being accepted for full-time enrollment in an academic program at a SEVIS-approved school in the USA, an international student will receive the Form I-20 from the school to file and will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
Once the international student has filed the Form I-20 and is registered with SEVIS, he or she may then apply for the F category student visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in his or her country of residence.
In the event that an international student’s spouse and/or dependent children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) will live in the USA during the time the student is enrolled in his or her academic studies, they will need to file the Form I-90, register with SEVIS and apply for the F2 visa for dependent family members, however, they do not have to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
When applying for the F1 student visa or the F2 visa for dependent family members:
- the Form DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application needs to be filed;
- a digital color photo made according to the requirements will need to be uploaded;
- the visa application fee ($185 USD as of September 2023) must be paid; and
- the Form DS-160 Confirmation Page will need to be printed for the consular interview.
The consular interview, where the required documents will need to be presented, is usually scheduled for student visa applicants who are 14-79 years of age.
A visa issuance fee may also need to be paid for citizens of certain countries who are granted an F1 visa or the F2 visa.
After receiving the F1 visa, the new international student may travel to the United States up to 30 days before the start date for the academic program.
At the port of entry (usually an international airport in the USA), a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will review the passport, F visa and Form I-20 and if the international student is approved for entry into the United States, he or she will receive a Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record document or an admission stamp placed in the passport.
The F visa is generally valid for the duration of the academic program (normally based on the Form I-20).
Can F1 Students Apply for a Green Card?
There are several ways to apply for a Green Card for F1 students.
Whether or not an international student can go from F1 to Green Card will depend on:
- which pathway he or she is eligible to apply for;
- his or her willingness to pursue a particular pathway; and
- how long it takes them to complete the process while their F1 visa is still valid.
How to Get a Green Card in the USA for Students?
- Get Sponsored by an Employer in the United States:
If you find an employer in the U.S. to sponsor you for a job and you meet other criteria, you may be able to apply for an Employment-Based Green Card, such as the EB-2 or EB-3.
- Be Selected in the U.S. Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery:
- If you were born in an eligible country and have at least a high school education, you could apply for the Diversity Visa Lottery Program (also called the Green Card Lottery) while you attend your studies in the USA.
- In the event that you are selected as a DV-Lottery winner, you could apply for a Green Card.
- Marry an American Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident:
If you marry a U.S. citizen or permanent resident while studying in the USA, your spouse could sponsor you for a marriage-based Green Card.
- Family Sponsorship by a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident:
- If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, they can sponsor you for a Green Card.
- If you are the unmarried child of a U.S. citizen and you are under 21 years of age, they can sponsor you for a Green Card.
- If your parent is a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years of age, they can sponsor you for a Green Card.
- Certain other close family members of U.S. citizens can be sponsored for a Green Card.
- If you are the spouse of a U.S. permanent resident, they can sponsor you for a Green Card.
- If you are the unmarried child of a U.S. permanent resident and you are under 21 years of age, they can sponsor you for a Green Card.
- Certain other family members of U.S. permanent residents can be sponsored for a Green Card.
- Apply for Asylum in the USA:
If you apply for asylum while studying in the USA, because your life would be at risk if you return to your home country (for example, you are a member of a persecuted group, there is civil war in your country, etc.), you could apply for a Green Card after you live in the USA for one year with asylum status.
Rights You Will Have as a Green Card Holder
Green Card holders can enjoy many benefits such as:
- Live in the USA for an unlimited amount of time
- Work in the USA legally for an unlimited amount of lime
- Access world-class education programs in the USA
- Receive Social Security benefits once the criteria are met
- Live in any of the 50 U.S. states
- Sponsor eligible family members for a Green Card
- Travel to and from any of the 50 U.S. states
- Travel to and from the USA according to the regulations
- Obtain a driving license in the state where you live in the USA
- Have the opportunity to buy a home in the United States
- Get the chance to start your own business in the U.S.
- Possess freedom and equality that are protected by law
- Have the option to apply for U.S. citizenship after you live in the USA for 5 years
Responsibilities You Will Have as a Green Card Holder
Green Card holders also have responsibilities to fulfill such as:
- Obeying federal, state and local laws
- Filing income tax returns each year
- Always carrying a valid Green Card as proof of lawful permanent residence
- Registering with Selective Service (if 18-25 years of age)
- Notifying U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 10 days if you change your address
- Renewing your Green Card before it expires (a Green Card is usually valid for 10 years at a time)
- Maintaining your lawful permanent resident (LPR) status (for example, don’t stay outside of the U.S. too long)
Can an F1 Student Apply for a Green Card on His Own?
F1 students can apply for Green Cards on their own, but how and when this is done will depend on which pathway an international student takes to get a Green Card.
In most cases, an international student will need to be sponsored by an employer or family member, for example, before the student can apply for a Green Card on his own.
Asylum-seekers may need guidance from a U.S. immigration lawyer to help them apply for asylum and then, after living in the USA for one year with asylum status, to assist them with applying for a Green Card through adjustment of status.
An F1 international student can, however, apply for the Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery by himself/herself without requiring a sponsor.
Although an F1 student can apply for a Green Card on his own through the various pathways that are available, it may be beneficial to receive assistance from an experienced U.S. immigration lawyer or other qualified professional.
Conclusion
International students can receive a world-class education in the United States and may also have the opportunity to change their status from F1 to Green Card holder, if they qualify.
The United States is the #1 destination for both international students and for immigrants, because of the many opportunities that are available to those who want to improve their lives.
Since 2001, USAFIS has been helping thousands of individuals and families around the world to pursue their options for U.S. immigration.
USAFIS provides information and assistance in several major languages in order to simplify the U.S. immigration process and make sure it is done correctly.
Would you like to live in the USA legally and even become a U.S. permanent resident?
The first step is to learn which U.S. visa program is right for you, based on your profile and the official regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Can I change my F-1 visa to a Green Card?
It is possible for an international student to go from F1 to Green Card, if he or she satisfies the eligibility requirements. Thousands of international students change their status from F1 to Green Card every year through employment-based Green Card programs (such as the EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3), family sponsorship by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or other pathway.
How many years does it take to get a Green Card in the USA for international students?
The amount of time required for an F1 student to apply for a Green Card depends on which pathway he or she takes. It generally takes around 12 months to go from F1 to Green Card when an international student marries a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Family sponsorship by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident can lead to a Green Card in approximately 8-30 months. An F1 student can apply for a Green Card through one of the employment-based programs in about 12-60 months.
Can an international student get a work permit in the USA?
An international student may have the options to go from F1 to Green Card or to receive a temporary U.S. work visa after graduating from a post-secondary educational program in the United States. Thousands of international students every year receive E visas, H visas, L visas, O visas or other types of temporary work visas. Many F1 international students can also receive up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the USA which is directly related to their major field of study.
Do Masters students get Green Cards in the USA?
F1 international students can get Green Cards if they qualify for one of the pathways, such as the EB-2 employment-based Green Card for individuals with an advanced degree or exceptional ability. Another route from F1 visa to Green Card for individuals with a Master’s Degree is to receive an H-1B work visa, which is issued for up to 3 years, can be renewed for up to 3 years, and has the option to apply for an employment-based Green Card toward the end of the 6 years.
How to get a US Green Card through a student visa?
F1 international students get Green Cards through one of several pathways, such as family sponsorship, marrying a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, employer sponsorship, and the Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery Program. It is also possible for an international student to change status from F1 visa to Green Card by seeking asylum in the United States, because his or her life is at risk if they return to their home country, living in the USA for one year with asylum status, and then applying for adjustment of status to become a U.S. permanent resident Green Card holder.
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