Transitioning from an H-1B visa (temporary work visa) to a U.S. Green Card (lawful permanent resident status) is a common path for foreign professionals. Below is an overview of major steps, timelines, challenges—and where Dogpay can smooth the financial side.
Key Steps in the H-1B → Green Card Process
- Employer Sponsorship / Job Qualification
- You need an employer willing to sponsor you for a Green Card under employment-based categories (e.g. EB-2, EB-3).
- Some paths (like EB-1 or EB-2 NIW) allow self-petitioning without a direct employer.
- PERM Labor Certification
- The employer must complete a labor market test to show no qualified U.S. workers are available for your role.
- Recruitment, wage determination, and other requirements must be met.
- Processing can take months (often 4–6 or more).
- Filing Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
- Once PERM is approved, your employer (or you, if self-petitioning) files I-140.
- This establishes your priority date—your place in the visa queue.
- Visa Availability / Priority Date Waiting
- Even with I-140 approved, you must wait until your priority date becomes “current” (according to the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin) before you can adjust status.
- For applicants from countries with high demand (e.g. India, China), waiting times can be long.
- Filing Form I-485: Adjustment of Status
- If you are in the U.S. and your priority date is current, you file I-485 to adjust your status to permanent resident.
- You may file I-485 concurrently with I-140 if the visa is available, which can shorten overall time.
- USCIS may require biometrics, interview, background checks.
- Green Card Approval & Issuance
- Once I-485 is approved, you become a permanent resident and receive a Green Card.
- Maintaining H-1B Status During the Process
- While waiting, you typically continue renewing or maintaining your H-1B status.
- Travel, change of employer, or gaps in status must be handled cautiously to avoid jeopardizing the Green Card application.
Timeline & Cost Expectations
- PERM processing: several months (4–6 or more)
- I-140 processing: months, depending on service center / premium processing
- I-485 processing: can take 9–16 months or more, depending on backlog and adjustments
- Costs involved include PERM-related recruitment costs, legal fees, I-140 filing fee, I-485 filing fee, biometrics, translations, document costs, etc.
How Dogpay Can Assist Across the Process
Many steps in the Green Card journey involve payments, fee remittances, service providers, legal/translation costs, cross-border financial flows. Dogpay can play a useful role in streamlining and securing these:
| Stage / Scenario | How Dogpay Helps |
|---|---|
| Paying USCIS / Filing Fees | If you’re living abroad or your funds are not in U.S. accounts, Dogpay facilitates converting and remitting your USD filing fees transparently and with fewer hidden costs |
| Legal, Translation, and Document Services | Many applicants use immigration attorneys, translation firms, or document procurement services—often across borders—Dogpay lets you pay them securely |
| Courier / Document Shipping / Certification Costs | When documents need to be sent internationally (e.g. certified copies, overseas POA), Dogpay helps manage payments to courier services |
| Supporting Premium Processing or Expedited Options | If you choose premium processing or optional expedites needing special remittances, Dogpay can help quickly send funds to the right service centers |
| Receipts & Payment Records for Immigration Files | Dogpay transactions include timestamped receipts, logs, and exportable records—helpful when you need to show proof of fee payments or records during USCIS review |
| Reducing Hidden FX / Bank Transfer Losses | Conventional international wire transfers often include exchange markups or intermediary fees; Dogpay helps reduce those losses so more funds reach their intended destination |
