> The article says this bill makes it easier for students to get a path to citizenship but doesn't say anything about H1-B workers.
My understanding of the text is that it just makes student visas "dual-intent". This would allow prospective students to get an F-1 visa without having to prove that they have no intention of staying back after completing their degree. It's an open secret that a large percentage of students actually want to work after graduating and many intend to naturalize eventually. This would spare them having to lie on the application. Other than this change, the bill does not do anything to make it easier for students.
You currently cannot file for an adjustment of status to legal permanent resident while on a F-1 visa.
This also includes employment-based Greencard. Currently you would need to obtain a H-1B before you could apply for employment-based permanent residency as EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 etc (assuming you reside in the US).
My understanding is that this removes the common pattern of having to get a H-1B before being eligible for employment-based immigration petitions. Additionally experience obtained during university and on the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) would count towards the experience requirements for EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, etc.
My understanding of the text is that it just makes student visas "dual-intent". This would allow prospective students to get an F-1 visa without having to prove that they have no intention of staying back after completing their degree. It's an open secret that a large percentage of students actually want to work after graduating and many intend to naturalize eventually. This would spare them having to lie on the application. Other than this change, the bill does not do anything to make it easier for students.