I am a student in the US and plan to graduate in May 2012. I want to do a Optional Practical training after I graduate for about a year. I am on the student visa that will expire in 2012 June. Can I apply for a green card during my Optional Practical training? I am a Zimbabwean citizen and I wanted to know if this will affect my eligibility. How long will it take to process the green card? I have no relatives here, am I eligible to apply for myself or do I need to find an employer that wants to sponsor me to get a green card?

Your responses will be valuable for me to make my decision

You need to find a basis for permanent residence. Generally will need a US business to petition for you. Long process as an EB-3. faster if you have a USC qualifying relative for FB PR.

I went to school in the US (I'm Canadian) and from what I recall I had the option of extending my student visa for up to 1 year to gain work related exp. In my field... Sorry no details other then that, but worth looking into...

P

I went to school in the US (I'm Canadian) and from what I recall I had the option of extending my student visa for up to 1 year to gain work related exp. In my field... Sorry not related to permanent residency, but worth looking into...

P

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Originally Posted by one_4_adventure

I went to school in the US (I'm Canadian) and from what I recall I had the option of extending my student visa for up to 1 year to gain work related exp. in my field... Sorry not related to permanent residency, but worth looking into...

P

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Yes, that's the OPT, good for work with any employer, impress them, have them file and H-1B visa for you to work for them for up to 6 years, and during that time, impress them enough to file a labor certification for permanent residence.