Whether employment-based immigration is possible after entering the U.S. on ESTA
Hello. I entered on ESTA, and I’d like to know if it’s possible to pursue employment-based green card immigration through an acquaintance, and how long it would take.
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Marriage Green Card in U.S.: $1,900
Marriage Green Card Abroad: $2,100
Green Card for a Parent in US: $1,750
Green Card for a Parent Abroad: $1,950
Perm(LC) : $4,500
I-140 : $2,000
I-485 : $1,500
K-1 Visa : $1,450
Change of Status : $1,500
N-400 : $600
Re-Entry Permit : $500
Green Card Extension : $300
If pursuing employment-based immigration after entering on ESTA, you need some visa or status that allows you to maintain lawful status until I-485 is filed. This is because ESTA is not a visa. Alternatively, you could go back to Korea and proceed from there. However, if you stay and proceed while out of status, you would be denied at the final I-485 stage — please keep this in mind. Expect the timeline to take about 1.5 to 2 years.