The immigration policies of the USA have been going through constant changes. In past months, the world has witnessed some controversial decisions made by the US president to control the number of immigrants entering the nation.
Amidst all these controversial reforms, a positive initiative has been taken by the US government that can benefit the skilled and professional workers from around the world trying to get permanent resident status in this superpower nation.
International students may be eligible to apply for Green Card after completing their education in the USA.
The new Merit and Point-Based Policy
The US government provides 1.1 million green cards to immigrants every year. The green card is a residential permit given to foreign nationals by the US government. It allows them to stay in the country as a permanent resident and also prepares a path to have permanent citizenship of the US in the next five years.
Australia and Canada offers additional points for candidates who complete their education in their countries. Similarly Build America Visa Program may also add additional points for Green Card eligibility.
Basically America will have advantage to bring more international students and tax money to their country if more international students come and study in USA.
International students may be eligible to get Green Card after completing their education.
In earlier policy, greater importance was given to workers who have family links in the country. The new policy announced by Donald Trump states that more emphasis will be given on providing green cards based on the skills and career profile of the applicant.
The proportion of green cards given to highly skilled professionals has been increased from 12% to 57%. However, the number of green card limits remains unchanged at 1.1 million. President Trump also declared the method that will be used to judge the skill levels of green card applicants. He announced a Point based system with pre-specified points for different career achievements.
There are more points for being a young worker. If you have a valuable skill to offer or can generate employment opportunities, you will receive a massive increase in your point table. The system also gives additional points on completing advanced education from top institutes of the world. To sum it all up, if you have exceptional achievements or future plans, your points will rise and you will be a better option than other candidates.
What are the Benefits?
The previous system made it very difficult to have a green card for immigrant workers who did not have family connections in the US. The new system is sure to benefit international workers and skilled professionals waiting for their green cards. The waiting period for a green card was over 10 years in the previous policy.
This time period is expected to greatly reduce. Another party benefiting from this change is international students. The students who received the education from prestigious foreign students will have a jump in points, and they will be ahead in the race of receiving a green card. The ease of having a green card will open many more job opportunities for these students.
The US government will also have its own benefits, as there will be more professionals in the country. The permanently settled skilled immigrants are expected to generate more job opportunities for Native Americans. Setting up a skill-based filter in the immigration system has provided a great opportunity to make Native companies more competitive and efficient.
Apply for an International Scholarship in the USA
100 Fully Funded Knight Hennessy Scholars Program for International Students at Stanford University in USA, 2020
100 Knight Hennessy Funding Programs are now available to pursue any graduate degree at Stanford in the USA. The scholarships are open for International students who wish to study in the U.S.
Award: Full funding
Deadline: October 9, 2019
Apply
Benjamin A.Gilman International Awards for U.S. Students to Study Abroad, 2019
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State is sponsoring the International Gilman Scholarships for pursuing undergraduate degree level. Students from across the U.S. are eligible to apply for this program and get a chance to study abroad.
Award: Over 2,900 scholarships of up to $5,000
Deadline: October 15, 2019.
Apply
Fulbright Foreign Student Program in USA
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals and artists, from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States at U.S. universities or other academic institutions.
Award: $4,000
Deadline: Varies per country but is around February to October annually.
Apply
Harvard University MBA Scholarship for International Students in USA, 2019
At Harvard Business School, the Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship is granted once every two years for a two-year course. The program is available to candidates of any nationality, but candidates of Lebanese descent will be given priority.
Award: US$95,000 (US$47,500 per year) towards tuition fees
Deadline: May 31, 2019
Apply
