F-1 students: stay in the U.S. with EB-3
You studied here and know life in the U.S. If you keep missing the H-1B lottery, EB-3 is a path you can actually plan around.
Two paths compared
| F-1 / OPT, then the H-1B lottery | EB-3 green card | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Temporary work visa, usually 6 years at most | Permanent resident |
| What it depends on | An annual lottery; if you miss it, you need a plan B | Employer sponsorship and your place in line |
| Changing jobs | A new employer must file again | Free to change once you have your green card |
| Family | Spouse on H-4 with limited work rights | Spouse and children get green cards too |
Why consider it
No lottery
There’s no lottery. Once PERM is filed you wait your turn by priority date, so you can plan.
OPT is your runway
You can work legally on OPT and STEM OPT, and the labor certification can start during that time.
Your degree can count
If the job genuinely requires a bachelor’s degree it can be filed as Professional, which for China-born applicants moves much faster than Other Worker.
From job offer to green card
- Get a job offer
- The employer files PERM; your priority date is the filing date
- The employer files the I-140
- Keep valid status (OPT, H-1B, etc.) until your date is current
- Adjust status inside the U.S. when your date is current
Important: you must stay in valid status the whole time you wait. If OPT will end before your date is current, plan the gap with an attorney well in advance.