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Do I have to stay in the same city after receiving EB-1B?

With a green card through EB-1B you can live anywhere in the U.S., without being tied to the same city. The key is to keep employment and field changes consistent with your petition.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 11, 2026
1 min read
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No. Once the EB-1B converts to a green card, you become a permanent resident and have the right to live anywhere in the United States. There is no rule binding you to the city where the petition was filed or where the sponsoring employer was located.

There is, however, a point worth noting that is not about address but about consistency. The EB-1B is rooted in a job offer and a commitment to academic or research activity, so it is worth thinking carefully about situations such as:

  • Ending the relationship with the sponsoring employer shortly after approval.
  • Shifting to a field substantially different from what was declared in the petition.
  • Changes that could appear inconsistent in a future application, such as naturalization.

In other words, living wherever you choose is your right; the care lies in keeping your trajectory aligned with what the petition stated. When facing significant changes, it is advisable to check the current rules with USCIS and consult a specialist before making a decision.

Learn more about EB-1

Category
EB-1 Green Card (1st priority)
Requirement
Extraordinary ability
Self-petition
Allowed (no sponsor needed)
Processing
6-18 months
All about EB-1

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

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Do I have to stay in the same city after receiving EB-1B?

With a green card through EB-1B you can live anywhere in the U.S., without being tied to the same city. The key is to keep employment and field changes consistent with your petition.

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