How do you go from a student F-1 visa to green card?

Question

My best friend is on a student visa and she's lived in the US for about 10 years now. She would like to stay in this country since it's the only one she knows. Any suggestions would be great as to how she can get a green card Without marrying.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

The only ways to go straight from an F1 to a green card is via an marriage to a U.S. citizen, Immediate relative sponsor or an employment based sponsor.

The latter is the most difficult as most employers are not willing to sponsor a person for a green card, they are more likely to sponsor her for a temporary work visa (H1B), this route can take several years to obtain a green card and at the end of it there is no guarentee the company will sponsor her for one.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

thanks for the help. I'm sure she'll appreciate it

Answer 2

Why doesnt she try for an H-1 visa (work visa) maybe an employer might sponsor her for a green card after the H-1

Answer 3

you cant do that. you need to get a work permit first. after that u can apply for permanent residency. if people were able to do that, there would be ALOT of students staying in usa permanently.

Answer 4

To do that you need a sponser, someone in the states who say that you should remain here to work on an H-2 because you have specific skills and abilities that are essential to their enterprise. It's pretty loose. No body checks.

Only after you have gotten the H-2 and the job (that only you can do) can you obtain a green card . . . after a time. It's something like that.

Get busy and find a sponser or someone to marry who will petition for you. I've a lot of friends who did it both ways.

If you're really intent, if might be worth you time and money to see a lawyer, and most campuses have a "Student Legal Assistence Office." Try there for advice.