From student to resident: how to stay in the United States after studying.

Admission to an American university is a significant achievement that requires substantial tuition expenses. However, even prestigious education in the U.S. does not grant the right to automatic immigration. A student visa allows foreign nationals to stay in the country only during their studies, paying for it and attending educational institutions. After graduating from university, many students face an important question: how to obtain permanent resident status and remain living in the U.S.? In this article, we will explore the main ways to obtain a green card for international students, including employment, investment, family ties, and other opportunities.

Employment through OPT (Optional Practical Training)

International students who have graduated from American educational institutions have the opportunity to stay in the U.S. for practical training under the OPT visa. This program allows graduates to work for one year, and for specialists in applied sciences, engineering, and IT — up to two years.

OPT provides the opportunity not only to gain practical experience but also to find an employer who can file an immigration petition for the student. This is an important step for those who wish to remain in the country on a permanent basis.

In some cases, students who have studied in the U.S. for at least one year may face financial difficulties. For such students, permission is granted to work 20 hours a week on the campus of the educational institution. If there are no vacancies on campus, the student may work off-campus with the appropriate certificate from the educational institution.

Job search through specialized sites:

There are both Russian-language and English-language resources for job search. For example:

Investing in the U.S. Economy

The EB-5 immigration program provides international students and their families the opportunity to obtain a green card through investments in the U.S. economy.

Main conditions of the EB-5 program:

• Minimum investment amount — $800,000.
• Creation of 10 jobs for U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Investing in one’s own business or in a regional center (passive investments).

Advantages of the EB-5 program:

The main advantage of the EB-5 program is that the student is not tied to an employer, as is the case with employment. By participating in the program, one can work in any company or even for oneself. Moreover, properly organized investments can generate profit and return the invested funds.

Recent changes in the program allow for filing a status adjustment application within the U.S. simultaneously with the main petition, which grants the right to work and reside in the country until the review is completed.

Legalization through Family Ties

Marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder is one of the most popular ways to obtain immigration documents. Many international students come to the U.S. at a young age and may meet their significant other during their studies. Marriage to a U.S. citizen or resident grants the right to obtain immigration documents.

Legalization through Extraordinary Abilities

EB-1 and National Interest Waiver (NIW) programs are designed for individuals with extraordinary abilities in science, arts, business, or sports. To file a petition under this program, a student must prove their achievements: publications, awards, participation in international events, attracting investments.

The National Interest Waiver (NIW) program allows for filing a petition without the need to prove extraordinary abilities, but it is necessary to show that the student’s project or work benefits the U.S.

Startups and Attracting Investments

Many students work on their startups during their studies. If such a project attracts the attention of investors and achieves success, it can become the basis for filing an immigration petition.

There are platforms that connect startup founders with investors. Among them are AngelList, FAS Club, Angel Investment Network, and others. These resources allow students to seek investors for their projects, which can also aid in legalization.

Alternative Ways of Legalization

There are also alternative ways of legalization in the U.S. Among them:

Obtaining permanent resident status for international students is a complex and multi-step process. Among the main ways:

• Employment through the OPT program.
• Investing in the U.S. economy through the EB-5 program.
• Legalization through family ties.
• Legalization through extraordinary abilities.

Each of these methods has its own characteristics and requires time, resources, and preparation. Plan your path to legalization in advance to choose the most suitable option for you and successfully implement it.

In conclusion, the process of transitioning from a student to a resident in the United States can be complex but entirely achievable. Starting with obtaining an F-1 student visa for studying at a university in the U.S., you can gain valuable work experience that will serve as a foundation for your further immigration journey. Upon graduation, it is important to consider the visa expiration dates and timely file applications for status adjustment to have the right to reside in the United States. Immigration to the U.S. may include obtaining a green card, which opens the path to citizenship. It is important to remember that for successful integration into the states, it is necessary to consider all legal requirements and opportunities provided at each stage to ultimately obtain U.S. citizenship.