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PR in USA for Indian Students in 2025
Edited By Ipshita ghosh | Updated on Jan 15, 2025 04:35 PM IST
A permanent residency in USA allows international students to live and work in the United States of America. The steps to obtaining a PR in USA for international students, commonly known as Green Card, vary depending on the individual situation. Students can apply for a PR in USA through multiple pathways including a family, employment, and student visa.
This Story also Contains
- What is PR in USA for International Students in 2025?
- Ways to get PR in United States
- Types of PR in USA for Indians
- US Green Card Requirements in 2025
- How to get PR in USA?
- How to apply for PR in USA after Study in 2025?
- How to Get Permanent Residency (PR) in the USA from India?
- Permanent Residency in USA Cost
- Benefits of Permanent Residency in USA
- Is it Possible to Get PR in USA After Study?
If you are interested in a USA PR for international students must file an immigrant petition. Students can move forward to apply for either a Green Card application with USCIS or a visa application with the US Department of State once the petition is approved by the USCIS. The process is followed by a biometrics appointment and interview with the Consulate Officer.
How many years to get PR in USA for Indian students? The average processing time for USA PR for international students varies based on several factors. Family-sponsored and employment-based categories can range from a few months to several years. The US EB-5 visa generally takes about two years.
There are several permanent residency courses in USA for Indian students that help them to stay back in the country. It includes subjects such as MA in Public Relations, MA in Mass Communication, MS in Advertising, and MA in Strategic Communication. Read the article to know more details about permanent residency in USA in terms of application, eligibility, process, documentation, etc. Can f1 student apply for green card lottery? We will answer these questions in the article.
Also Read:
What is PR in USA for International Students in 2025?
If granted permanent residency or PR, international students can stay and work in the United States. When you have PR status, you hold a Green Card, which enables you to visit and live in the country without a visa.
For foreign students in 2025, getting PR usually involves a few important steps:
Pursue in the USA on a student visa (such as F-1).
Once graduated, secure a job. Employers can sponsor you for a work visa (such as H-1B).
After a few years of your work, you are eligible for PR (Green Card).
Additionally, you can observe the other pathways to enhance your chances.
Ways to get PR in United States
There are five methods to become a permanent resident of the United States:
Petition of a close relative.
Successful application for political asylum.
Petition of an employer’s petition.
Winning the yearly green card lottery.
Through self-sponsorship.
Types of PR in USA for Indians
How to get PR in US from India? Applying for a PR in USA through a family, employment, and US student visa are the most common pathways followed by many international candidates. Candidates can check the best category that will be suited for them.
Green Card through Family
Green Card through Employment
Green Card as a Special Immigrant
Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status
Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
Green Card for Victims of Abuse
Green Card through Other Categories
Green Card through Registry
The eligibility for PR in USA and documentation required ie specific for each type. The most commonly followed process is gaining a USA PR visa through family or employment.
Also Read: Study in United States of America for Indian Students
US Green Card Requirements in 2025
The eligibility for permanent residency in USA and the possibility to get a resident card depends on the category suitable for the candidate. All candidates who wish to live permanently in USA must mandatorily fulfill the eligibility criteria to apply for a PR in USA.
Green Card through Family: The candidate applying for a permanent visa USA, needs to qualify for any of the following reasons to apply for a green card through family.
US Green card eligibility for Indians through the family category
Spouse/Widow/ of US citizen | Spouse/Widow/ of lawful permanent resident |
Unmarried child of a US citizen. | Unmarried child of lawful permanent resident |
Parent of a US citizen. | Parent of a lawful permanent resident |
Siblings of a US citizen | Siblings of a US citizen |
Green card through employment eligibility: The candidate applying for a Permanent Residency in USA through the employment category, needs to qualify for any of the following reasons to apply for a green card through employment.
A first preference immigrant worker with extraordinary ability in science, arts, or a professor or manager or an executive, etc.
A second preference immigrant worker that requires an advanced degree and seeking a national interest waiver.
A third preference is an immigrant worker who requires work experience or an unskilled worker.
A physician who would agree to work full-time in clinical practice.
An immigrant investor who invests at least USD 1,050,000 in any new commercial enterprise in USA creating jobs for at least 10 employees.
Also Read: Cost of Living in USA For Indian and International Students
How to get PR in USA?
Can Indian students get PR in the USA? Yes, Indian students can get PR in the USA to continue their stay in the country. Candidates applying for permanent residency in USA need to fill out one or two forms depending on their eligibility category. Candidates who are sponsored by a company or by a family member in the USA can directly apply for Form I-485 which is the permanent resident visa USA application form. Candidates can apply through the USCIS website for a PR visa application.
How to apply for PR in USA after Study in 2025?
Determine Eligibility: Identify which category you qualify for (family, employment, etc.).
File an immigrant petition: A sponsor (family member, employer, or self) files a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
File either a Green Card application with USCIS or a visa application with the U.S. Department of State once the immigrant petition is approved by the USCIS.
Apply for a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints, photos, and a signature.
Attend an interview at a USCIS office or US consulate.
Upon approval, you will receive your Green Card.
Explore the study abroad destinations:
Documents Required for Permanent Residency in USA
Here are the PR in USA after study requirements: The following are the common documents asked for when applying for PR in the USA.
Affidavit of Support
Birth certificate
Passport
Immigration medical examinations
Marriage certificate
Passport size photos
Divorce decree
Form i-485
Police certificates
Application fee
Biography information Sheet
Employment authorisation Document
Evidence of valid nonimmigrant status
Form i-130
Medical record
Photograph
Proof of no criminal record
Proof of present immigration status
Proof of your current marital status
Proof of your spouse's US citizenship
Receipt number on the i-129 form
Visa availability and priority dates
Also Read: Part Time Jobs in USA for International Students
How to Get Permanent Residency (PR) in the USA from India?
Obtaining permanent residency, PR in the USA 2025 allows individuals to live and work in the United States indefinitely. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how Indian students can get PR in USA after study and obtain a Green Card in US.
Obtaining PR in United States as an Indian or international student in 2025 is a multi-step process that can differ depending on your specific circumstances, including your degree, employment experience and connections in the country.
To hold a Green Card in the United States for Indians, you can follow a pathway. Here are the different main pathways are given:
Diversity Immigrant Visa Program or Green Card Lottery
Employment-Based Green Card
Family-Sponsored Visa
Pathway | Details | Eligibility |
Diversity Immigrant Visa Program or Green Card Lottery | Through this pathway, the US government grants roughly 55,000 individuals every year. It is low in budget. |
|
Employment-Based Green Card | If you want to settle in US based on your studies, abilities or experience this pathway is the best alternative. There are five categories:
|
Eligibility may vary based on the category. You require so many documents. |
Family-Sponsored Visa | Family members are eligible for this category, one of the quickest ways to obtain an immigrant visa to the United States. One of the common ways to get a Green card is through family sponsorship. |
|
1. Family Sponsorship
One of the most common ways to get a Green Card is through family sponsorship. If you have a close relative who is a U.S. citizen or a Green Card holder, they can sponsor you.
Immediate Relatives of US Citizens: Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens can apply directly without waiting for a visa number.
Family Preference Categories: Other family members, such as siblings of U.S. citizens and spouses or unmarried children of Green Card holders, fall under family preference categories and may face longer wait times.
2. Employment-Based Green Cards
Another popular route is through employment. There are several categories under employment-based Green Cards:
EB-1: For individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational executives or managers.
EB-2: For professionals with advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional ability. Often requires a job offer and labor certification.
EB-3: For skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. This also typically requires a job offer and labor certification.
EB-4: For special immigrants, including religious workers and certain employees of international organizations.
EB-5: For investors who invest USD 1.8 million in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers.
How much time to get PR in USA for international students?
Depending on the type of visa, processing times for PR may vary in US. The average processing time to get permanent residency (Green Card) in the USA is between 7 and 33 months.
Type of visa in USA | Processing time to get PR in USA |
Family preference PR visa | 1 to 10 years |
Employment-based PR visa | 4 to 6 years |
Adjustment of status | 1 to 2 years |
Consular processing abroad | 1 to 3 years |
Green Card Lottery | 1 to 2 years |
Immigration through Family Reunification | 9 months to 5 years |
Immigration through Married to the U.S. Citizen | Around 10 months |
Immigration of a Political Asylum to the USA | 1 year |
Permanent Residency in USA Cost
How much does it cost to apply for permanent residency in the USA? The cost to apply for a PR in USA varies based on the specific process and the type of residency you are applying to. The USCIS Immigrant Fee for international students is USD 220. The cost for the Biometric Services Fee is USD 85. The fee for Form I-192 is USD 585. The overall cost of PR in USA for Indians can range from USD 2,000 to USD 15,000 or more.
Benefits of Permanent Residency in USA
Candidates with American PR can avail the benefits mentioned below.
The candidate has the right to live and work after study in the USA.
They can enter and exit America within their PR validity period.
Candidates can save up to 80% of the fees for US universities.
The green card holders can apply for USA visa for their family members outside the country.
Also Read:
Is it Possible to Get PR in USA After Study?
How to get permanent residency in usa for international students? Yes, it is possible to get PR in USA after studying. Is it easy to get PR in USA after study? International students can qualify for permanent residency in the US through employment-based visas like H-1B if they have any family connection or if they win the green card lottery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I get a PR in USA?
Yes, candidates who meet the eligibility requirements by having family members in the USA, employment sponsored visa or either a refugee status, etc., and a few other categories have the opportunity to get permanent residency in USA.
2. Do I need a PR card for travelling to the USA?
No, with the help of a PR, the candidate gets the right to work and settle in the USA. Not everyone needs a PR to travel to the USA. Generally a passport and required US visa are enough for travelling to the USA.
3. What is the processing time to get a PR in USA?
The average processing time for USA PR for international students varies based on several factors. Family-sponsored and employment-based categories can range from a few months to several years. The US EB-5 visa generally takes about two years.
4. What is the fastest way to get PR in USA?
Family-Sponsored Visa is the fastest way to get PR in USA, because the processing time is shorter than other types of visas. Alternatively, a person with EB-1 or EB-5 may permit faster processing.
5. Is getting PR in USA hard?
Yes, it is hard to get PR, due to factors such as immigration laws, long processing time, and visa type. You can get PR, by fulfilling requirements according to your category.
Articles
Jan 24, 2025
Questions related to
Get answers from students and experts
Hi there
Yes you can try to learn various courses that are for approximately 3 months to 6 months in duration.
Yes you can learn before going to us. Learning skills definitively adds some value to the life of a candidate and also improves in getting good recognition in life..
Below i have mentioned some courses that you can try before visiting us:
- Social media marketing
- Content writer
- Content creation
- Video editing
- Photography skills
- Digital marketing
- Stiching
- Makeup artist course
- Hairstyling course.
So these are some courses you can try.
Hope this answer will help you. Revert incase of any query.
Thank you and good luck:)
Anushri Varshney 12 June,2022
Hello Samarasimha,
YES, you can MS in UA after completing Bsc in Statistics. . All you have to do is score good marks in your PG and prepare for GRE. You should also decide upon the country and the university in which you are going to study.
Furthermore, the requirements to pursue MS in USA are as follows :
- 3 to 4 years bachelors degree in relevant field.
- 3.5 or higher GPA, equivalent to 87% in bachelors.
- GRE score of 330 or above.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Research Internships/ Published Research Papers.
- Project work/Seminars.
- 2-3 Letter of Recommendation.
- Social & Leadership Activities.
Further, requirements for Software jobs in USA are as follows :
- Enroll in a software development program. The first step to becoming a software engineer is to enroll in a software development degree program. ...
- Gain internship experience. ...
- Choose your specialty. ...
- Pursue industry certifications. ...
- Continue your education.
I hope that this will help.
Piyush kesarwani 13 May,2022
Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..
To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as
- TOEFL exam for getting admission to the universities in the US and Canada. The score of this exam is valid for two years after the declaration of results
- There are plenty of universities abroad where you can apply to do master-level course, MSc in statistics, MSc in Operation Research, and Applied Mathematics, MSc in Mathematical Modeling, etc are some of the Master level Course in Mathematics that are available abroad. Students who have completed their graduation or bachelor's degree in Mathematics can apply for these courses. Foreign universities like Uppsala University, Dublin City University, Oxford Brookes University, University of York, University of Liverpool, etc offer all the above-mentioned courses in mathematics.
Top university of The USA for master degree courses
- John Carroll University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Michigan State University
- West Virginia University
- Rhode Island College
- University of Arkansas
- Vanderbilt University
- DePaul University
- Delaware State University
- Texas A&M University-Commerce
- University of South Florida
- California State University Northridge
You can get the detailed information about the process how to apply for MS in USA. read the given article. Link is given below
https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/how-apply-for-ms-in-usa/amp
Hope it's helpful for you..
Thank you
AVINASH KUMAR 23 February,2022
There are many ways to choose your university such as fees, the ranking of the university, which state it is located and scholarships. My suggestion is to choose your research focus and write academic papers. In the US, PhD in Commerce admission into the university depends on what you want to study (your area of research) and your already completed research papers. You can begin your research by searching online for US universities offering PhD in Business Administration. One example is University of California Los Angeles (https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/phd-program/admissions#app-req) .
Tabitha 08 January,2022
Hello Student
You are aBHM means Bachelor in Hotel Management so after doing BHM,to gain a bright future inthis trade you have to do MSc in Hotel Management,post graduation in Hospitality Management,Master degree in travel and tourism management,or MBA in hotel management,AFter doing post graduation in Hotel management or travel and tourism management will give you the best return in employment opportunity.
Hope this will help.
Sohamsengupta8 13 February,2022
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