How To Be a Student In The US If You Are From Outside the US
It is possible to study in the US if you are not a US citizen. Many people do it each year. If you are interested in studying in the US, you need to be sure about the documentation and the visa requirements that you need to fulfill before you can come to study on US soil.
An EB-3 visa for F-1 visa students can be the right choice for many reasons for those who wish to study in the US. This visa is for those who are looking for continuing education, such as a bachelor’s degree or additional professional skills that are relevant to the EB-3 visa requirements. Knowing more about applying for and securing this visa can ensure that you are able to study in the US as soon as possible.
What is the EB-3 Visa?
There are many kinds of visas that allow you to study in the US. The EB-3 visa is accessible to a wider pool of applicants than the EB-2 visa because it is not directly linked with a requirement that you are seeking an advanced degree in specific or exploring the advancement of specific, high-level skills.
This is the perfect kind of visa for recent graduates who are looking for more work experience at the same time as the option to secure a continuing degree that will help them achieve permanent residency. There are many US employers who will help you to secure an EB-3 visa because this kind of visa offers a long-term employment solution that is not always on offer with other visa types.
An EB-2 visa is technically a tourist visa, which has a set expiration date of six months in most cases. This makes it obvious that you will need to convert your visa to an EB-3 visa if you are planning to work and study in the US for an extended period of time. EB-3 visa processing times can take more than a year, so be sure that you have not waited too long to apply.
There are also longer-duration student-specific visas, like the F-1 student visa, which can be your best option. The question of which visa to secure often comes down to whether or not you will need to work while you are living in the US or if you can afford to just study during your time in the country.
What is the Process to get an EB-3 Visa?
1. Submit the Form
Your employer will need to submit an application for you to be eligible to seek an EB-3 green card. You will probably need to complete some paperwork with their help, and then the documentation and the request will be sent in for review by the government.
2. Accept a Job
Once this step has been completed, you can proceed with accepting your job and make your first payments for the documentation and application process for your EB-3 visa.
3. PERM Labor Certification
The PERM labor certification must be completed. The documentation requirements for this application can vary based on the kind of request that you are asking about. You will be guided through this stage of the process with help from your employer, who does the original documentation.
Since this visa indicates a desire for a more permanent residency situation, you will need to be sure that you are prepared for some added documentation to indicate that you are planning to stay in the US for a more extended period of time.
4. File the I-40 Petition
The I-40 petition will also be filed, which shows that the employer is asking for a qualified foreign worker to secure a permanent job. This is one of the first steps that has to be completed to ensure that you can get this kind of visa and stay in the US to work and study.
5. I-485 Adjustment of Status Petition with USCIS
This is the final stage in the green card process. It is the registration for permanent residence that allows you to secure lawful permanent resident status in the future.
If you are already in the US working, you might be on an HB-2 visa. This visa can be modified to the HB-3 visa with the Adjustment of Status documentation. You will also need to submit some of the other documentation that is required for those who are just entering the US for the first time. Your employer can help you to process all of this documentation to seek your green card.
What Kinds of Jobs Are Recognized With the EB-3 Visa?
There are many, many kinds of jobs that are allowed under the EB-3 visa. You might work at a fast food restaurant, be a server, work construction, or be a caregiver. Your employer will need to be approved to submit requests of this kind, which ensures that your job is included in the list of EB-3 eligible jobs.
You might also need to be sure that your school of choice is visa-certified. Depending on your level of education, you might not be able to attend certain educational institutions while you are living in the US on a visa. The college or educational outlet of your choice should have information on hand about how to qualify to take courses from them while you are not a US citizen.
The EB-3 Visa Can be the First Step Toward Residency
While it might not be your goal to become a US citizen, for many people, the EB-3 visa is the first step that is needed to help them to become a US citizen. Studying for long periods of time in the US requires the right documentation at a minimum, but this visa type can ensure that you have the option to stay if you wish. It can take years to complete a degree program, which is why it is often so critical to have the correct visa documentation in place.
