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How can an international student become a permanent resident in USA? Are you an international student in the United States, but want to know how can an international student become a permanent resident in the USA?
If so, then this article is for you. It will help you to understand more about your options and help you to decide which process suits you best, among the different options available.
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Eligibility Requirements
International students may be eligible for Permanent Residence if they have been living continuously in the US for more than one year and meet the following eligibility requirements:
1. J-1 visa holders are eligible after three years of continuous residence if they have been married to a U.S. citizen for at least two years, or they have received an H-1B visa, I Visa, O-1A visa, or P Visa (requires extraordinary abilities)
2. F-1 visa holders are eligible after five years of continuous residence if they have earned their bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution, or have earned their master’s degree from a U.S.
3. TN Visa holders are eligible after three years of continuous residence if they have received their TN visa for two consecutive years, and were paid at least $33,000 in wages over that time period. They must also demonstrate good moral character and attachment to their U.S. community through their work, family relations, and civic participation.
4. Applicants from Mexico or Canada who have a National Interest Waiver may be eligible for Permanent Residence without going through labor certification if they invest at least $500,000, and hire at least 10 employees.
5. International students who are married to U.S. citizens may be eligible for Permanent Residence after three years of continuous residence, or two years if they have been married for at least three years.
They must also prove that their marriage is bona fide, that their spouse was not coerced into marrying them, and that they will not abuse their immigration status by attempting to divorce within two years of attaining Permanent Residence through marriage.
Green Card Process
Obtaining a green card is no easy feat and will require years of waiting (unless you’re fortunate enough to come from one of the few countries that don’t require you to wait) before you’re even eligible.
Once your priority date becomes current, apply for your green card at the appropriate time and there’s no need to worry about renewal or expiration as long as you keep it valid with annual reports.
As you go through your green card process, you’ll want to make sure that you’re aware of all deadlines and requirements.
If you miss even one, it may result in your case being put into removal proceedings or denied entirely. In many cases, missing one deadline means starting over from scratch.
When it comes to your green card process, there are many things you’ll need to think about and keep track of.
Following these steps is key to ensuring that your application will be approved and you won’t end up with any gaps or problems down the road. Just keep at it, don’t give up and most importantly, enjoy America.
Green Card Application Fees
You may need to pay an application fee when you submit your paperwork. The application fee is not refundable and cannot be used to cover other immigration-related costs.
However, if you meet the U.S. Department of State’s basic qualifications for issuing green cards, this fee will be waived. As of 2019, the USCIS accepts credit card payments by phone or over the internet but does not charge additional fees.
The I-485 application fee is $1,140 as of 2019. The filing fee will also be waived if you meet one of these conditions
(1) If you are age 21 or older and were physically present in the United States for at least 20 years during any time before applying;
(2) If you are age 21 or older and have been continuously living within the United States since June 15, 2007
(3) If you are under age 21 and have been living continuously within the United States since January 1, 2010
(4) If you served in an active duty status with any branch of the U.S. military at any time before applying.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is possible for an international student to become a permanent resident in the United States. The best thing to do is to know your visa type and make sure you are aware of the requirements for that visa type. Once you know what requirements you need to meet, you will be able to easily navigate the process of becoming a legal immigrant.
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