Green Card approval rates reach record lows as Indians face over a century of waiting.
Is the 'American Dream' worth the wait? According to Suren, an Indian-origin software developer based in Texas, the wait time for a green card can stretch to 100 years! And that’s just the beginning of the challenges.
Suren advises students considering pursuing higher education in the United States to think twice before making such a decision. In one of his posts, Suren said, "Don't come to the USA for studies. Once your studies are over, chasing an H-1B visa becomes your full-time job."
But the struggle doesn’t end with obtaining an H-1B visa. Suren highlighted the challenge of acquiring a green card. He said, "The wait time for a green card is 100 years if you're born in India. It's a never-ending nightmare." His words paint a bleak picture for those hoping to settle in the US permanently, especially for those from countries like India, where the wait times are notoriously long due to high demand.
A green card, officially called a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued by the US government. It grants the holder permanent resident status, allowing them to live and work in the US indefinitely. This card also opens up the possibility of becoming a US citizen after a few years, usually between three to five.
Suren’s warning came in response to a post by US Ambassador Eric Garcetti, who was promoting Education USA Fairs across India. These fairs are designed to attract Indian students to US universities, offering them the chance to meet representatives from more than 80 institutions. Ambassador Garcetti’s post read, "Students and parents, I’m thrilled to invite you to our #EducationUSA Fairs, which are taking place all over India this month."
