SoCal Immigration Services | Immigration Document Preparation in Southern California

Quick Answer

For international students in La Jolla's world-class universities like UCSD, transitioning from F-1 student status to permanent residence requires careful planning. SoCal Immigration Services provides Arabic-speaking guidance on all green card pathways available to students.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

Green Card Options for F-1 Students

International students have several pathways to permanent residence, each with different requirements and timelines:

• Employment-based green cards (most common)
• Family-based green cards (through U.S. citizen/LPR relatives)
• Extraordinary ability or national interest waiver
• Investment-based immigration (EB-5)
• Diversity Visa Lottery (for eligible countries)

Employment-Based Pathway: The Most Common Route

Most F-1 students pursue employment-based green cards through this typical progression:

1
Complete OPT After Graduation
Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work in your field for 12 months. STEM graduates can extend for additional 24 months.
2
Secure H-1B Sponsorship
Employer sponsors you for H-1B visa, either through lottery (cap-subject) or directly if cap-exempt (universities, research institutions).
3
PERM Labor Certification
Employer files PERM to prove no qualified U.S. workers are available for your position. Takes 8-18 months.
4
I-140 Immigrant Petition
Employer files I-140 petition. With premium processing, approval can take 15 days.
5
Wait for Priority Date
Depending on country of birth and category, you may wait months to years for a visa number.
6
I-485 Adjustment of Status
When priority date is current, file for green card. Interview may or may not be required.

Timeline: F-1 to Green Card

Realistic timelines for employment-based green cards:

Category	India/China Born	Other Countries
EB-1 (Extraordinary)	1-3 years	1-2 years
EB-2 (Advanced Degree)	8-15+ years	2-4 years
EB-3 (Bachelor's/Skilled)	10-20+ years	2-5 years
EB-2 NIW (Self-petition)	8-15+ years	2-4 years

EB-2 NIW: Self-Petition Option

The EB-2 National Interest Waiver allows exceptional individuals to self-petition without employer sponsorship:

•No employer or job offer required
•No PERM labor certification needed
•Must prove your work benefits the U.S. national interest
•Strong for researchers, scientists, engineers, medical professionals
•Requires advanced degree or exceptional ability
•Can be filed while on OPT or H-1B
•Processing time: 12-24 months (or 45 days with premium)

EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability

For those at the top of their field, EB-1A offers the fastest employment-based path:

Requirements:
• Sustained national or international acclaim
• Evidence: awards, publications, high salary, media coverage
• Must continue working in area of expertise

Benefits:
• No employer needed (self-petition)
• No PERM required
• No quota backlog for most countries
• Can apply from OPT or any valid status

OPT to H-1B Bridge

Maintaining status between OPT and H-1B is critical:

•Apply for H-1B before OPT expires (April lottery for October start)
•Cap-gap extension: If H-1B pending, OPT auto-extends to October 1
•STEM OPT: 24-month extension if degree qualifies and employer in E-Verify
•Consider cap-exempt employers (universities, research, non-profits)
•Start H-1B process early - lottery is not guaranteed
•Have backup plans if not selected in lottery

Family-Based Green Card

If you have qualifying U.S. family members, family-based options may be faster:

•Marriage to U.S. citizen: Immediate relative, no wait for visa number
•Marriage to green card holder: F2A category, ~2 year wait
•Parent is U.S. citizen (and you're under 21): Immediate relative
•Sibling is U.S. citizen: F4 category, 15-20+ year wait
•Employer path can continue while family petition pending

EB-5 Investor Visa

For students with access to investment capital:

Investment Requirements:
• $1,050,000 general investment, or
• $800,000 in Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
• Must create 10 full-time U.S. jobs
• Investment must be at risk

Benefits:
• No employer sponsorship needed
• Includes spouse and unmarried children under 21
• Green card within 2-4 years depending on country

Maintaining F-1 Status During Process

While pursuing a green card, maintain valid F-1 status by:

•Keeping full-time enrollment if still studying
•Following OPT employment rules strictly
•Reporting employer changes within 10 days
•Not working illegally or exceeding authorized hours
•Keeping I-20 valid and SEVIS record active
•Filing status change before current status expires

La Jolla Student Immigration Services

SoCal Immigration Services helps La Jolla international students with:

•Green card pathway assessment
•OPT and STEM OPT application help
•H-1B employer consultation
•EB-2 NIW petition preparation
•Arabic and English language support
•Long-term immigration planning

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:Can I apply for a green card while on F-1 status?

A: Yes, you can file employment-based or family-based petitions while on F-1. However, you should maintain valid F-1 status until your green card is approved or you change to another status.

Q:What's the fastest way to get a green card as an F-1 student?

A: Marriage to a U.S. citizen is typically fastest (12-18 months). For employment-based, EB-1A (extraordinary ability) or EB-2 NIW have no PERM requirement and no backlog for most countries.

Q:Do I need an employer to sponsor my green card?

A: Not always. EB-2 NIW, EB-1A, and EB-1B can be self-petitioned or don't require a specific job offer. EB-5 investor visa also doesn't require employer sponsorship.

Q:What if I'm from India or China?

A: Employment-based green card wait times are significantly longer due to per-country limits. EB-2 can take 10-15+ years. Consider EB-1 categories, EB-5, or family-based options to reduce wait time.

Q:Can my OPT time count toward green card?

A: OPT doesn't directly count toward the green card, but maintaining legal status on OPT allows you to remain in the U.S. while your green card case is pending.

Q:What happens if my H-1B lottery isn't selected?

A: Options include: STEM OPT extension (if eligible), O-1 visa for extraordinary ability, cap-exempt employers, returning to school for another F-1 period, or exploring EB-2 NIW filing.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in La Jolla and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: January 31, 2026Last Updated: January 31, 2026

Planning Your Path from F-1 to Green Card in La Jolla?

Our Arabic-speaking team helps international students develop long-term immigration strategies. Don't wait until graduation to start planning.

Serving La Jolla and all of Southern California

Schedule Student Immigration Consultation (714) 421-8872

family•Whittier

Family Preference Wait Times in Whittier: Understanding Visa Bulletin Priorities for Arab Families

Complete guide to family preference category wait times for Arab families in Whittier including F1-F4 categories, Visa Bulletin updates, and strategies to reduce waiting periods.

work•San Marcos

J-1 Waiver Services in San Marcos: Two-Year Home Residency Requirement Help for Arab Professionals

Expert J-1 waiver assistance in San Marcos for Arab professionals subject to the two-year home residency requirement including all five waiver bases and application process.

F-1 Student to Green Card Pathways in La Jolla: Complete 2026 Guide