Top 7 ways for US students to get a Green Card

With strict regulations on immigration and settlement, the Green Card is considered the most important card in the US. Therefore, when international students come to the US, they often try to get a green card to settle down and have a new life in this developed country. So what are the ways to get a green card in the US? Let's find out together with Maple.

1. What is a Green Card?

The Green Card (officially the Permanent Resident Card (PDF, 6.77 MB)) allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation.

A modern US Green Card contains the following elements or data:

• Last Name
• Name
• USCIS Number USCIS numbers are uniquely assigned sequential numbers.
• The Visa Type category describes how you get your Green Card, for example, "DV1" for the Green Card Lottery or "CR1" for conditional residents, who have a definite Green Card.
• Hometown
• Date of Birth
• Marital Status
• Expiry Date – Issuance Date
• Fingerprint
• Photograph of Green Card Holder

2. Responsibilities of Owning a Green Card

As a Green Card holder, you also have certain responsibilities to comply with:

Responsibility to Obey the Law: The first and perhaps most important responsibility is simply to obey the law. You must obey all federal, state and local laws.

Responsibility to Register with Selective Services: If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25, you must register with Selective Services. The selective service registers people who may be the subject of a draft.

Income Tax Responsibility: Just like a citizen of the United States, you must file an income tax return. You are responsible for reporting all income you receive to the IRS.

Responsibility for US Government Support: If you have a green card, it is your responsibility to support democratic governance in the US. You must not attempt to change it in any illegal manner.

Responsibility to carry proof of residency: Once you get your green card, you must bring proof of your residency status. The most common proof is your permanent resident card, i.e. your green card.

Responsibility to notify DHS of changes of address: Although you are free to travel throughout the United States, you must notify the Department of Homeland Security if you change residence. You will have 10 days from your move-in date to notify DHS of your change of address.

Health Insurance Liability: Finally, you are required to have health insurance. Note that you may be eligible for affordable health insurance offered through the federal or state healthcare marketplace.

3. Benefits for international students when applying for a Green Card

After going through the steps in the green card process and getting a green card, you will enjoy most of the rights of a US citizen, specifically:

Rights Permanent Residence: You have the right to live permanently in the United States. However, this right can be revoked if you break the law or take some other action that could expose you to removal under immigration law.

Right to work: You have the right to work at the business of your choice. Some restrictions apply, including homeland security or certain elected positions.

Right to Legal protection: You have the right to legal protection including all federal and state laws as well as the laws of your local jurisdiction.

Right to a Driver's License: While it's technically possible to get a driver's license without an SSN, if you want/need to drive, you now have the right to apply for a driver's license.

Right to travel: You are not limited to living in an area. You have the right to travel through the US as you wish. The right to request a visa for your family: You have the right to request a visa for your family members when you already have a green card.

Right to Social Security Benefits: You are entitled to the Social Security benefits you have accrued while working. You are also entitled to other benefit programs, such as Medicare.

4. Top 7 ways for US students to get a Green Card

4.1. Get sponsored by your employer

If you find a job after graduation, you can ask your employer to sponsor you to apply for an EB-2 or EB-3 green card.

4.2. Get married to a US citizen

You can also get a green card if you are married to a US citizen. Note that you will have to prove that your relationship is legal (not a ploy to get in residence). The process is quite rigorous and may include interviews, background checks, and checks of the documents you provide to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

4.3. Apply for asylum

If returning to your home country would put your life in danger — if a civil war breaks out or you are part of a persecuted minority or group — you can apply for asylum. USCIS will consider these petitions on a case-by-case basis. If you can, consult an immigration attorney about the best way to present your case.

4.4. Win the Green Card Lottery

The Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery is held every year from October to November. It is sometimes called a "green card lottery"—there is no guarantee that you will receive a card. green through this process. Note that some countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US in the past 5 years are not eligible, including Canada, South Korea, Mexico, and Canada.

4.5. Get sponsored by a relative who owns a business

You can ask a relative who owns a business to sponsor you for a green card (if applicable). However, this person will have to prove that they are hiring you because of your qualifications, not because you are related. They should have a hiring process for the position that you will fill and show that they tried very hard to hire a US candidate, but no candidate was available or willing to do the job.

​​​​​​​4.6. Joining the Military Service

Normally, you cannot join the military without a green card or work permit. However, if you have two years of college, you may qualify for some highly demanding positions in the military, even without a green card. Talk to a military recruiter on your campus about this possibility.

4.7. Get Sponsorship From Parents or Children

If you have parents or children under the age of 18 who are already legal U.S. citizens, they may be able to sponsor you for your green card.

There are many ways to get a green card if you have an active F1 student visa. Hopefully one of the options above is right for you.