I Want to Work in the US
The main entry point for anyone pursuing US work authorization. Walks through the four questions that determine which category fits (citizenship, education, employer sponsorship, long-term intent), then maps the options by situation — Canadian/Mexican, treaty country, multinational employee, extraordinary ability, bachelor’s degree with sponsor, student, researcher, entrepreneur, and more.
I’m Marrying a US Citizen
Three paths to a marriage-based green card: K-1 fiancé(e) visa, CR-1/IR-1 consular processing for spouses abroad, and adjustment of status for couples already together in the US. Walks through which path fits which situation, timing comparison, what the interview actually covers, and the conditional removal step for newer marriages.
I’m an International Student Trying to Stay
The standard sequence from F-1 to green card: study → OPT → STEM OPT → H-1B → employment-based green card. Walks through each step, the key decisions along the way (major choice, employer selection, timing the green card step), and what to do when the H-1B lottery doesn’t work out. Realistic about the 7-25 year total timeline depending on country of birth.
I’m an Entrepreneur or Investor
Six investor and entrepreneur paths, from E-2 treaty investor and EB-5 direct green card to L-1A new office for existing businesses and self-petition options (O-1A, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW) for people with achievement rather than capital. Walks through the E-2 vs EB-5 decision, direct investment vs Regional Center for EB-5, when parallel filing makes sense, and the non-immigrant intent trap for people planning long-term residence.
I’m Fleeing Danger in My Home Country
Six humanitarian protection categories: asylum (affirmative and defensive), refugee resettlement from abroad, Temporary Protected Status for designated countries, Withholding of Removal, Convention Against Torture protection, and humanitarian parole. Covers the critical one-year asylum filing deadline, when to combine protections (TPS + asylum is common), and extensive legal aid resources. Opens with urgent-help guidance for people in immediate danger.
I’m a Crime or Abuse Survivor
Three protections for noncitizen survivors of harm that happened in the US: VAWA self-petition (abuse by US citizen or LPR family member), T visa (trafficking victims), and U visa (victims of 28+ qualifying crimes). Walks through the “who harmed you” decision that picks the right path, when to file more than one, confidentiality protections, and extensive legal aid resources with crisis hotlines. Opens with urgent-help guidance.
My Family Member Can Petition for Me
The full family-based petition landscape beyond marriage: parents, siblings, adult children, married children. Walks through who US citizens can petition for vs who LPRs can petition for, Immediate Relative vs Family Preference categories, realistic priority date waits (from current up to 25+ years for F3/F4 Mexico and Philippines), what happens when children age out or petitioners naturalize, and the Affidavit of Support obligation.