In general, Visas can be classified into two main categories.

• Non-Immigrant Visa (H1B, H4, B1, L1 etc.)
• Immigrant Visa (Green Card)

A Green Card, also known as Lawful Permanent is a card provided by the USA Government, which grants the legal right to live and work permanently in United States of America. For a H1B visa holder to get a Green Card through his employer, may take 2 years to 4 years since the processing time is based upon processing center, in which a Green Card is processed. Sometimes, it may take even longer.

IT professionals from foreign countries work in USA through H1B visa. Employers of these IT professionals apply for H1B visa and these IT professionals can stay and work in USA for a period of 6 years by using this H1B Visa. These IT professionals can work only for their employers and they cannot work for another employer. If they have to work for the other employer, they have to transfer their H1B visa to the new employer and then only they can work with their new employer. If these IT professionals happen to have a Green Card, they can work for any employer (restrictions may apply).

For obtaining a Green Card from the USA Government, you must go through a multi-step process.

• Applying for Labor Certification
• Applying for Immigrant Visa Petition
• Adjustment to Permanent Resident Status

• Through your relative who is a citizen of the United States or a relative who is a lawful permanent resident.
• Your current employer or your future employer.
• Through Investment.
• Through a Green Card Lottery program.
• Through Special Immigrant program.
• Through International Adoption.

• There is no restriction for an individual to work with a particular employer. An individual can work for any employer.
• A Green Card Holder can incorporate an organization in USA, and he can be an active or a passive employee. E.g. If you have H1B visa, you can incorporate an organization, but you cannot be an active employee.
• When an individual works with an employer, that individual can apply for Green Card for his family members also.
• Many clients are interested to hire Green Card Holders since they may not be having “immigrant visa process” and don’t have to pay more money to the contractors (hired individually or from other companies) in their company.
• There is no need for visa extension and run back and forth to get visa from American Consulate.

For more details about Green Card, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/index.htm

H1B Sponsorship      Social Security Number