I’d like to eventually work under an H-1B work visa — timing and procedure for applying (2)
I’m currently working as HR at a company on J-1 status and received a green card offer.
About 1 year remains before my visa expires.
I’d prefer not to go back to Korea and instead continue working in the U.S. while pursuing my green card — I’m reaching out to see if that’s possible given my current situation.
The company is a U.S. company, and I earned a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Korea.
I’d also like to know the average timeline if I proceed.
Generally, plan on about 10 months for the PERM stage, and file I-140 and I-485 together, aiming to finish before your visa expires. So the key point is knowing your visa’s exact expiration date, and whether an extension is possible.
The typical average total timeline is 2 years, and moving quickly can significantly shorten that. So, ultimately, a J-1 visa holder can file for employment-based green card immigration right away. However, you should first check whether you’re subject to the home-residency requirement and clear that first.