Can I apply for a green card while on H-1B?

Yes. Those on an H-1B can apply for a green card. Although the H-1B is a temporary visa for specialty occupations, it allows for dual intent, which means you can pursue permanent residence without giving up your work status.

In practice, the most common route is employer sponsorship. It typically involves a labor certification (the PERM process, which tests the local job market) and the filing of immigration petitions with the relevant authorities, leading up to the actual residence application. There are also categories that allow self-petitioning for specific profiles, without relying on an employer.

• The H-1B and the green card are not mutually exclusive: dual intent connects the two.
• The most common path starts with sponsorship and labor certification.
• Each case depends on the field, the applicant’s profile, and the chosen immigration category.

Since rules and backlogs shift with current policy, it is worth evaluating your situation with a specialist and checking the updated requirements at the official source (USCIS) before filing.

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.