US Green Card: Available Routes to Reside and Develop Career in the United States

Traditionally, green cards have represented the American ideal and are highly sought after worldwide, even by Indians. However, with stricter quotas and longer waiting periods, getting a green card has grown more and more difficult.

Because of this, an increasing number of Indians are searching for different means of establishing a long-term presence in the US. These alternate routes provide good opportunities for people looking to start jobs, make investments, or live in the US, even though getting a green card is still the ultimate aim for many.

The US H-1B visa program is still a popular choice for Indian professionals. The issue is that only 85,000 visas are available for the lottery each year, with the winner being given entry into the United States. It is now necessary to diversify techniques due to the sharp decline in the acceptance rate of Indian applications in recent years.

O-1 Visa: A Niche for the Extraordinary

The O-1 visa option may enable immigration to the United States for those who can demonstrate their exceptional ability. Obtaining this visa is difficult due to the substantial amount of documentation needed. However, those who are granted an O-1 visa can stay in the nation for a maximum of three years at first, with the option for extensions and permits for dependent workers.

To satisfy this criteria, applicants must provide proof of consistent national or international recognition. Indians have a low success percentage overall, but those with a strong award history have a higher chance of success.

E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

Indian business owners can invest and open firms in the United States thanks to the E-2 treaty investor visa. The applicant needs to show that they have contributed money to growing American businesses and actively participate in their management.

Nonetheless, an E-2 visa offers the opportunity for the bearer and his family to live and work freely in the United States as long as they continue to participate in business activities. The viability of the business proposal and the potential investor’s financial resources determine the success of Indian candidates.

The EB-5 Visa Program

The goal of the EB-5 investment visa program is to entice outside capital to the US economy. By making investments in US companies that generate a specific amount of employment, these investors can obtain green cards for themselves and their immediate families.

The EB-5 visa provides a path to a green card and opportunities for economic growth, but it also comes with hazards, including the inability to meet employment creation targets and significant investment requirements. Nonetheless, the correlation between the financial resources of Indian investors and their success rate is evident.

Leveraging Education: OPT and STEM OPT

International students completing their studies in the United States can obtain valuable job experience by employing the STEM OPT extensions and Optional Practical Training (OPT). While these actions don’t guarantee permanent residency, they can serve as a springboard for further opportunities, such as obtaining a green card through employment or launching a business.

While OPT allows students to work for a limited period, STEM OPT allows individuals with degrees in STEM fields to extend their work authorization.

L1 Visa Program

An international talent passport of sorts is the L1 Visa. It is a temporary work visa for multinational corporation personnel (including Indians) who have offices in both their home country and the United States. It enables international workers to relocate to an office in the United States and carry on in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role.

This visa encourages the exchange of professional talents and cross-cultural experiences by supporting the transfer of highly skilled individuals inside multinational corporations.

EB-1A Visa Program

The EB1A Visa, also known as the “Alien of Extraordinary Ability Visa,” is an immigrant visa intended for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in a variety of fields, including the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics.

Candidates who have received national or international recognition for their achievements in their professions are the only ones eligible for this visa program. Because it allows applicants to seek permanent residency in the United States on their own, the EB1A Visa has received a lot of good attention. Eight to ten months are needed for the EB-1A visa processing.

EB1B Visa Program

First Preference, also known as the EB1B Visa, is an immigration visa for noncitizen nationals who are highly esteemed internationally as exceptional professors or researchers in their field of study. As a benefit, qualified candidates are spared the arduous task of obtaining a labor certification.

Additionally, the primary applicant’s spouse and dependent children under the age of 21 who meet the eligibility requirements can obtain a Green card. This will take eight to twelve months on average to process.

EB1C Visa Program

Multinational executives and managers who have been transferred by their current firm from another country to the United States may be eligible for the EB1C Visa. The EB1C Visa is intended for those who have demonstrated exceptional skills in their industry and are seeking a priority worker visa.

It enables multinational corporations (MNCs) to move their highly qualified workers to the US and keep them working for connected businesses. This will take about eight to ten months to process.

EB-2 Visa Program

Those with advanced degrees (or their international equivalents) or at least ten years of relevant work experience in their profession are eligible for the second preference visa. Additionally, workers who are thought to be of national significance to the US may also be eligible.

The Department of Labor (DOL) must issue labor certifications to the majority of applicants in this category. EB-2 visa holders’ immediate family members may use forms E21 or E22 to seek entrance to the United States.

EB-3 Visa Program

The EB-3 visa is a type of employment-based immigration visa designed specifically for professionals, skilled laborers, and other non-seasonal or temporary workers who are thought to be able to fill jobs when there are no open vacancies in the United States.

It gives people with a range of abilities and educational backgrounds a route to permanent residency in the US. Unskilled applicants who receive a permanent job offer from a U.S. firm are likewise covered by it. The entire process takes one to two years to finish.

The Function of Attorneys and Immigration Consultants

It takes careful planning and the support of experienced experts to navigate the complex US immigration system successfully. Immigration attorneys and counselors may be quite important during this process. They are professionals at deciphering and navigating the intricacies of immigration laws, rules, and procedures.

Their services include determining a client’s eligibility for various visa categories, preparing and submitting thorough applications, representing them throughout the immigration process, providing strategic planning advice, keeping abreast of any changes to immigration laws, and assisting applicants with the visa application process.

Without a comprehensive awareness of the options that are open to you and the right counsel, it can be very difficult to establish a lasting presence in the United States. Through education on the different types of visas and consulting with an expert before deciding, people can increase their chances of being granted permanent residency in the United States.

Simplifying the procedure with professional guidance and well-thought-out planning can make it possible to effectively traverse the US immigration system.