I posted this in another thread to give info specifically the the OP of that thread. I am posting it here also as it is directly related to Immigration and Visas.
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Just today I attended an Immigration Seminar headed by an attorney specializing in the topic which added to some that I already knew.
There is an annual quota cap for H1B work visas. The cap is 65,000 for 2014 which has already been reached during the current filing period of April 2013.
AND virtually no one gets an H1B work visa outside the STEM areas of Science Technology Engineering and Math. Although it might sound close, the lawyer said financial people (even with computer jock skills) do not qualify.
Also the H1B program is not an Immigration Visa. It is only a work authorization visa for a max of 6 years.
But yes, those here under the H1B program often later are successful in attaining permanent immigration (green card) status.
Note: Since the 6 years for H1B visa typically exceeds the length of a lot of marriages . . . it's not a bad way to go.
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Step by step process to move along from student visa to permanent residence (green card) status:
Those who come here on Student Visas AND get Masters degrees in the STEM area, have a nice path to Permanent Residence (green card). This is an already existing path separate from the new program being considered in Congress.
This existing path is:
1) Get degree in STEM area.
2) Automatically get authorization for OPT (Optional Professional Training) for 12 months which can usually be extended for another 17 months (29 months total). No employer has to do anything for person to get this OPT authorization. With the authorization, person can look for and accept job same as USA citizen (except those jobs that require citizenship, of course).
3) After OPT, usually get preferred treatment for H1B program.
4) After in H1B for 3-4 years, usually get preferred treatment when applying for Green Card status.
I was quite happy to learn of this info which I hadn't fully put together the pieces in my mind, despite having read about the various programs.