Applying for green card while still on H1B?

[watermen]

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Hi everyone.

I am a US medical school graduate doing my PGY 2 residency now, I am on H1B, I hear many different stories regarding getting a green card, some say I have to wait till I finish my residency and apply, some say I can try to apply now.

I would like to get a green card, can I apply now? Will it be successful? What requirements are needed if I were to apply now? Please help me. Greatly appreciate any input.

 

[PistolPete]

Since H1B visa is a dual-intent visa you can apply for a green card while on it, you just need someone (an employer) to sponsor you for it, or so I understand.

 

[watermen]

Since H1B visa is a dual-intent visa you can apply for a green card while on it, you just need someone (an employer) to sponsor you for it, or so I understand.

Thanks for replying.

Sorry, if my question sounds stupid, what do you mean by "sponsor" here?

If it mean paying for my fee or anything monetary, I don't think my department can do it, because they are running out of money. I don't mind paying all the fee myself.

If you mean sponsoring in other sense, does it mean I have to be a long term employee? I am only a resident now. How do you think I should approach my department about it?

Anyone with similar experience, please share. Thanks.

 

[gutonc]

Thanks for replying.

Sorry, if my question sounds stupid, what do you mean by "sponsor" here?

If it mean paying for my fee or anything monetary, I don't think my department can do it, because they are running out of money. I don't mind paying all the fee myself.

If you mean sponsoring in other sense, does it mean I have to be a long term employee? I am only a resident now. How do you think I should approach my department about it?

Anyone with similar experience, please share. Thanks.

A sponsor is generally an employer or a family member with a green card or citizenship. I'm pretty sure they can't sponsor you while you're a resident unless they also offer you a job after graduation (but I may be wrong) and there are fees and a lot of hassle involved. Many companies (hospitals and otherwise) don't sponsor GCs because of what a pain it is for them.

But frankly, you need to talk to an immigration lawyer about this, information from random strangers (like me) on the intarwubs is going to just lead you astray.