F-1 Visa to Green Card: How You Can Go From Student to Permanent Resident

Immigration Practice Areas > Visas > F-1 Visa to Green Card: How You Can Go From Student to Permanent Resident

What is an F-1 Visa?

The F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant student visa that allows foreign nationals to study full-time at accredited schools in the United States. This includes colleges, universities, high schools, elementary schools, seminaries, and language training programs.

To qualify, you must:

  • Be accepted into a program that leads to a certificate, diploma, or degree
  • Attend a school that is authorized to accept international students
  • Show that you have sufficient financial support
  • Intend to return to your home country after completing your studies

If you enter the U.S. on an F-1 visa with the secret goal of staying permanently, it can be considered immigration fraud. However, if your plans change while you’re already here, there are legal ways to adjust your status and apply for a green card. This is something many international students in Dallas and Houston consider during or after their education.

Related: 4 Things You Didn’t Know About Student Visas

 

F-1 Visa to Green Card: Transitioning from Student to Permanent Resident

F-1 to Green Card

Changing your immigration status from an F-1 visa to a green card can be challenging—but it is possible. Students in Dallas and Houston have several options depending on their background, employment opportunities, and family circumstances.

Here are the five most common paths from an F-1 visa to a green card:

1. Self-Petitioning as a Person of Extraordinary Ability

If you have extraordinary achievements in areas like science, education, arts, business, or athletics, you may qualify for an EB-1 visa. This is one of the fastest paths to a green card.

To be eligible, you must meet at least 3 of the following criteria (or have a one-time major achievement, like a Nobel Prize):

F-1 Visa to Green Card

  • A nationally or internationally recognized award
  • Articles or publications written about you
  • Membership in associations that require high achievement
  • Being asked to judge the work of others
  • Original contributions in your field
  • Authorship of scholarly articles
  • Exhibitions or showcases of your work
  • Leading or critical roles in distinguished organizations
  • High salary compared to peers
  • Commercial success in performing arts

If you are a top-performing student or researcher in Dallas or Houston, and you believe your work stands out nationally or internationally, this path may be worth exploring.

 

2. Receiving Employer Sponsorship

Many F-1 visa holders transition to a green card through employment-based sponsorship after graduation. If you find a job in Dallas or Houston and your employer is willing to sponsor you, there are two main visa categories to consider: EB-2 and EB-3.

EB-2 Visa: Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability

You may qualify for an EB-2 visa if:

  • You have an advanced degree (beyond a bachelor's)
  • You have at least five years of progressive work experience
  • You show exceptional ability in science, business, or the arts
  • Your work benefits the national interest (national interest waiver)

Your employer must submit supporting documentation to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including proof of your qualifications and the job offer.

Related: EB-2 Visas For Employment-Based Immigration To The U.S.

EB-3 Visa: Skilled Workers and Professionals

This visa is for:

  • Skilled workers with at least 2 years of experience or training
  • Professionals with a bachelor’s degree
  • Other workers performing unskilled labor (with restrictions)

Your Dallas or Houston employer must file a petition and offer you a full-time, permanent position. It’s essential to find a sponsor early and work with a qualified immigration attorney to guide the process.

3. Becoming an Investor (EB-5 Green Card)

Student Visa to Green Card

If you or your family has the financial means, you may be eligible for an EB-5 investor visa. To qualify, you must:

  • Invest at least $800,000 (or $1,050,000 in certain areas)
  • Create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers

This is a more expensive path, but it offers a direct route from an F-1 visa to permanent residency. In both Houston and Dallas, there are USCIS-approved regional centers that manage EB-5 projects, making the process more accessible.

Related: EB-5 Investment Green Cards

4. Marrying a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident

If you marry a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you may be eligible to adjust your status through family sponsorship. If you apply for a green card within 90 days of entering the U.S. on an F-1 visa, USCIS may assume you misrepresented your intent when applying. This can complicate your case, so timing and documentation are critical.

Marriage-based green cards are a valid pathway, but only if the relationship is genuine and follows immigration law.

Related: The Ultimate Green Card Marriage Guide

Do You Need Help Turning Your F-1 Visa into a Green Card?

If you’re in Dallas or Houston and want to stay in the U.S. permanently, we can help. At Davis & Associates, our experienced immigration attorneys understand the challenges international students face—and we know how to guide you through every option.

Ready to take the next step?

Contact us to schedule your consultation today. Let us help you make the move from F-1 visa to permanent residency—with confidence and clarity.