Can a "Work Permit" or a "Visa" be changed to "Perminant Residence" or "Green Card" status in the USA?

I was wondering if a USA work permit or Visa can be changed to "Perminant Residence" or "Green Card" status. If so how long does it take? I am not bothered about not being able to vote!





I currently reside in the list of countries that is under the "Visa Waiver Program"





Thank you.|||it is possible. if you have a H1b (work visa) your employer can petition you for a green card, but it is totally up to them and they are not required by law to do it.





how long? it depends on your work visa category. (eb2,eb3) right now eb3(which is the longest time) takes about 7 to 8 yrs for a green card.





good luck|||No ..that not possible unless you have a PhD and a nobel peace price ..then its possible





Pick a visa








There are basically NINE ways that you can get a visa to live and work in the US:





(1) Marriage (or engagement in anticipation of marriage) to a US citizen.





(2) You have skills that are in short supply in the US e.g. scientific or medical training. A degree is normally a must. Or you have superior specialist skills with at least 12 years experience. (H visas)





(3) You have an Employer who is willing to transfer you - but even the employer has to make a good case for you - so you have to be a manager unless you fall under category (2) above.(L visas)





(4) You may get a Green card in the diversity lottery (UK citizens, except N.Ireland, are not generally eligible unless you, your spouse or parents were born abroad or held a different citizenship.





(5)You own or buy business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. no green card)You must be a national of a qualifying Treaty countries. The business must have a minimum value of around $150k (more the better) bearing in mind you will need somewhere to live and with any startup business you will need at least 2 years living money as back up. So a figure of $350k would be a nearer minimum (E-2 visas)





(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to bring with you. half of that in a few areas. And your background will be investigated to the hilt. (EB-5 visas)





(7)You have a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister and no further) who is an US citizen who would sponsor you, approx time this take 2-12 years?





(8.The R1 visa is available to foreign members of religious denominations, having bona fide non-profit religious organizations in the U.S., for entering the U.S. to carry on the activities of a minister or religious worker as a profession, occupation or vocation





(9)THE UNUSUAL You are in a position to claim refugee status/political asylum. or You get a member of Congress to sponsor a private bill with legislation that applies just to you.


The S visa issued to persons who assist US law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes and terrorist activities such as money laundering and organized crime








Recruitment agent will not take you seriously if you are not already in the US. Writing for jobs is really a waste of time; likewise US employers have no idea what foreign qualification are or mean (except Degrees) it may pay you to get your qualification translated into a US equivalent, there are Companies that do this (www.wes.org) ..


But if you are getting a visa under (2) above then you need a job offer before you can get the visa. Your Employer will be your sponsor this will cost them upward of $5k. So you can see you have to be offering something really special to get considered They may also have to prove to the Dept of labor that there is no American who can do the job if the position is to be permanent 漏|||It is not based on the type of benefit you have but the category in which it is in.Permanent residence or Green cards that represent the status is not so easily achieved.