From Campus to Career: A Practical Guide to Employment-Based Visas for Noncitizen Students in Higher Education. This guide developed by the Presidents’ Alliance, Path2Papers & FWD.us shares what noncitizen students in the United States—whether undocumented, DACA recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders, humanitarian parolees, or on student visas—need to know about qualifying for nonimmigrant and immigrant visa options upon graduation.
From Campus to Career: Preparing for Employment-Based Visas as a Student. This webinar hosted by the Presidents’ Alliance, Path2Papers & FWD.us introduced new resources and provided an overview of employment-based visa pathways, such as H-1B, O-1, and employment-based green cards. Panelists discussed concrete steps students can take now to prepare, strategies for securing sponsorship, and where to find additional support and free legal consultation opportunities.
Navigating Employment-Based Visa Sponsorship at Higher Education Institutions. This guide from the Presidents’ Alliance offers practical tips for finding, understanding, and initiating conversations with higher education institutions about their work visa sponsorship practices.
How To Approach Your Employer For Visa Sponsorship. This guide from Informed Immigrant and the Presidents’ Alliance provides guidance for DACA recipients and other undocumented Dreamers in navigating the process of securing employment-based visa sponsorship from their employers.
Employment-Based Options for Dreamers in the Trump Administration. In this past webinar hosted by The Legalization Project, immigration experts shared updates on employment-based options during the Trump administration, including recent trends and success stories for green cards, H-1Bs, and O-1 visas.
Work Visa Roadmap. This tool from the Legalization Project breaks down the stages of the work visa process using accessible language and visuals, helping individuals understand the timeline, requirements, and key decisions involved. This resource incorporates many educational materials from trusted partners.
Support Groups for People Legalizing. These support groups, hosted by the Legalization Project, are designed for immigrants in fragile statuses who are pursuing legal status. These groups are safe and supportive spaces, led by trained mental health providers with shared lived experiences.
Monthly Community Immigration Updates. A series of interactive Zoom gatherings hosted by The Legalization Project to feature timely immigration updates, practical tips, and shared experiences from the community.
The H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category that allows employers to petition for foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.
The H-1B Visa, Explained. This explainer from Boundless covers eligibility criteria, the process employers must follow to petition, and common questions regarding the H-1B visa.
Beyond Approval: What to Know After Receiving Your H-1B or O-1 Visa. This guide created by the Presidents’ Alliance provides practical information and key considerations on topics such as employment restrictions, re-entry procedures, international travel, taxes, and health insurance for professionals who have recently obtained an H-1B or O-1A and are employed by institutions or organizations that do not have an established infrastructure for supporting these visa holders.
Understanding H-1B Specialty Occupation. This one-pager by Path2Papers and the Presidents’ Alliance provides a detailed overview of H-1B “specialty occupations,” and outlines eligibility criteria, including degree relevance, potential equivalencies, and the importance of consulting an immigration attorney for guidance.
A Brief Overview of H-1B “Cap-Exempt” Employers. This one-pager from the Presidents’ Alliance and Path2Papers explains which employers are considered “cap-exempt” and therefore not subject to the H-1B lottery.
Cap-Exempt H-1B Visa: A Comprehensive Guide. This resource presents the Build Fellowship, a cap-exempt H-1B visa fellowship for foreign nationals who work part-time at partner universities and non-profit research organizations, helping to support their missions. The resource provides information on cap-exempt employment options, explains how the Build Fellowship works, and answers frequently asked questions.
H-1B Filing Fees: A Complete Guide for 2025. This resource from the Build Fellowship provides a thorough breakdown of the costs and considerations for H-1B visa filings in 2025.
H-1B vs. Green Card Through PERM: A Quick Comparison. This resource from Path2Papers provides a general comparison between the H-1B and the Green Card process involving labor certification (PERM).
Understanding Concurrent H-1Bs. This explainer created by the Presidents’ Alliance provides an overview of concurrent H-1Bs, demonstrating how individuals working for a cap-subject and cap-exempt employer at the same time can bypass the H-1B lottery.
H-1B Visa Resources for DACA Recipients
Understanding H-1B for DACA Recipients: Benefits, Risks, and Strategies. This resource developed by Path2Papers outlines the benefits, risks, and legal considerations for DACA recipients transitioning to an H-1B visa, highlighting potential reentry bars, employment restrictions, and other issues to consider.
Adjustment of Status through Work Visas for DACA Recipients: An Explainer. This explainer from the National Immigration Forum details the process of transitioning from DACA to an H-1B visa.
How To Approach Your Employer For Visa Sponsorship. This guide from Informed Immigrant and the Presidents’ Alliance provides guidance for DACA recipients and other undocumented Dreamers in navigating the process of securing employment-based visa sponsorship from their employers.
The O-1 visa is for individuals who have extraordinary ability in fields like science, education, arts, or business, and who seek to work in their area of expertise. It’s often used by researchers, artists, and other accomplished professionals.
Beyond Approval: What to Know After Receiving Your H-1B or O-1 Visa. This guide created by the Presidents’ Alliance provides practical information and key considerations on topics such as employment restrictions, re-entry procedures, international travel, taxes, and health insurance for professionals who have recently obtained an H-1B or O-1A and are employed by institutions or organizations that do not have an established infrastructure for supporting these visa holders.
Beyond Ordinary: Understanding the O-1 Visa. This guide from Path2Papers provides an overview of the O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, business, education, athletics, or the arts. It explains the eligibility criteria for both O-1A and O-1B categories, including evidentiary standards and examples of qualifying accomplishments.
O-1A Pathways Tool. This free online tool can help professionals quickly determine whether they might qualify for an O-1A “extraordinary ability” visa. The O-1A visa has high standards, but it is within reach for many talented individuals and is an especially good fit for researchers, founders, and experienced professionals. This tool is not a substitute for legal advice.
Everything STEM Researchers in the National Security Innovation Base Need to Know about O-1A. This guide, developed by the Institute for Progress, is intended to explain when researchers across the national security innovation base can qualify for the O-1A extraordinary ability visa category.
For individuals in fragile immigration statuses, securing temporary employment-based visas usually requires leaving the United States for a consular interview. When some individuals depart the U.S., they may trigger certain inadmissibility bars that prevent them from re-entering. To address these inadmissibilities and re-enter the U.S., a person must obtain a so-called D-3 waiver.
D-3 Waiver Guide for DACA Recipients: How to Apply for a Work Visa. This guide from Informed Immigrant explains eligibility and steps to apply for a temporary work visa with a D-3 waiver. It covers topics such as “unlawful presence,” the waiver process for those with a job offer and a U.S. degree, and new guidelines to expedite approvals. The guide includes FAQs.
FAQ Regarding Biden’s Nonimmigrant Visa Policy Changes. This FAQ from Path2Papers and the Presidents’ Alliance provides a comprehensive overview of the D-3 waiver and answers common questions about eligibility, application procedures, and the benefits of using the D-3 waiver, including information on recent updates to policy guidance for consular officers.
Returning with a D-3 Waiver: Immediate Next Steps & How to Plan for the Future. This resource developed by Path2Papers and the Presidents’ Alliance provides guidance for individuals who have traveled and returned to the United States with a temporary work visa and a D-3 waiver of unlawful presence. This resource explains what your status means and provides steps to help you plan the next phase of your immigration journey.
Immigration Options After a DACA Beneficiary Returns to the U.S. with an H-1B and D3 Waiver. This FAQ created by Path2Papers outlines the legal options and challenges a DACA recipient may face after being granted a D3 waiver and returning to the U.S., particularly if a consular officer determines that they have triggered the three-year or ten-year unlawful presence bars of inadmissibility.
Advance parole allows DACA recipients to receive advance permission to travel outside the United States for educational, humanitarian, or employment purposes. In some cases, returning to the U.S. with Advance Parole can expand certain immigration options, such as adjustment of status. Consulting with an immigration attorney before travel is essential to understand the process, benefits, and any associated risks.
DACA and Advance Parole Updates and Trends. This explainer from Path2Papers offers the latest information on DACA-related court developments and patterns in advance parole requests—including the October 2025 implementation of a $1,000 fee policy for parole and the August 2026 Board of Immigration Appeals ruling that advance parole trips count as a departure from the U.S. under immigration law.
New BIA Ruling Changes the Rules for Advance Parole and Unlawful Presence. This resource by Path2Papers explains the new Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) ruling issued August 13, 2026 that reverses Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly so trips on advance parole now count as a “departure” under immigration law.
Emergency Advance Parole Request for DACA Recipients Attending Consular Visa Appointments. This resource by Path2Papers provides guidance on obtaining emergency advance parole for DACA recipients who need to travel abroad for H-1B visa consular appointments. It outlines the process, highlights the benefits of advance parole, and provides a template with required supporting documents.
Traveling with Advance Parole in 2025. This guide was developed by Informed Immigrant to provide details on traveling with advance parole for DACA recipients. It covers steps to check eligibility, apply for advance parole, prepare for travel, and re-enter the U.S.
Apply for Emergency Advance Parole as a DACA Recipient. This guide created by Informed Immigrant provides information for DACA recipients on applying for emergency advance parole, including steps to request it, necessary documents, and FAQs.
Advance Parole for DACA Recipients. This community resource from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center provides an overview of the requirements, tips, and considerations for traveling abroad on advance parole as a DACA recipient.
Preparing for Re-Entry After Traveling on Advance Parole. This community resource by Immigrant Legal Resource Center provides an overview of the process of traveling on advance parole and returning to the United States through a port of entry.
Preparing for Change for DACA Recipients, Advance Parole and Family-Based Options. This webinar covered advance parole and potential changes under a new administration, provided a summary of family-based petitions, and offered an overview of resources for DACA recipients, including financial assistance and mental health support. The webinar was hosted by East Bay Community Center, Justice Action Center, Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, International Learning Ventures, Voice Psychotherapy and the Legalization Project. Access the webinar recording here and the slides here.
Employment-based (EB) green cards offer a path to permanent residency for foreign nationals whose skills, qualifications, or job offers align with specific preference categories under U.S. immigration law. These include individuals with extraordinary ability, advanced degrees, skilled work experience, or substantial investment in the U.S. economy.
A Step-By-Step Timeline of the Employment-Based Green Card Application via the PERM/Labor Certification Process. This resource from Path2Papers outlines the step-by-step process for obtaining an employment-based green card through the labor certification (PERM) process.
H-1B vs. Green Card Through PERM: A Quick Comparison. This resource from Path2Papers provides a general comparison between the H-1B and the Green Card process involving labor certification (PERM).
Getting a PERM; An Employment-based Green Card. This guide from Immigrants Rising explains the PERM labor certification process that employers must complete to sponsor employment-based green cards for noncitizen workers.
How to Apply for an EB-2 NIW Visa.This Boundless guide on the EB‑2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) explains how professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability can bypass the usual employer-sponsored labor certification by self-petitioning, demonstrating that their work serves the national interest.
Understanding the National Interest Waiver: A Path to the Green Card. This guide from Path2Papers explains how individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability can self-petition for a green card under the EB-2 category without needing a job offer or labor certification. It breaks down the three NIW eligibility criteria—showing that the applicant’s work has substantial merit and national importance, that they are well-positioned to advance their endeavor, and that waiving the job offer requirement benefits the U.S.
Bolstering STEM Talent with the National Interest Waiver. This article from the Institute for Progress explores how recent changes to immigration policy are making it easier for advanced STEM degree holders to get green cards—without employer sponsorship—through the National Interest Waiver (NIW).
The following stories highlight the challenges, triumphs, and resilience of students and graduates in fragile immigration statuses as they pursue opportunities to live, work, and contribute to communities across the United States. These narratives offer valuable insights and inspiration to those navigating similar paths.
Rico’s Story. A DACA recipient detailing his trip abroad on advance parole for an educational advocacy project.
Dellara’s Story. A DACA recipient and attorney explaining how she started her application process for advance parole.
Bambadjan Bamba’s Story. A DACA recipient recaps his advance parole trip to visit his home country, the Ivory Coast.
New immigration policy provides pathways for DREAMers to adjust status. This interview highlights the recent D3 waiver guidance and the story of “S,” the first Dreamer to successfully navigate this pathway while undocumented.
Think Immigration: How the New D3 Waiver Guidance is Unlocking Opportunities for Dreamers in the Workforce. This resource from the American Immigration Lawyers Association discusses the new D3 waiver guidance and highlights the success stories of two individuals, one from a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient and another from an undocumented individual. Both navigated the new process and are now examples of its potential.
Success Stories. Narratives from Path2Papers of Dreamers who successfully obtained employment-based visas, including some with D-3 waivers.
Adriana, The Student Advisor. In this work visa story from The Legalization Project, Adriana shares her experience as a DREAM center director realizing her own eligibility for a work visa, gaining support from her network to secure her employer’s approval, and completing her consular interview.
Carlos, The Spanish Teacher. In this work visa story from The Legalization Project, Carlos discusses his experience finding out about employment visa opportunities, pivoting his career path to teaching Spanish, talking to potential employers and their legal counsel about sponsorship, and evaluating the risk of traveling.
Daniela, The Healthcare Administrator. In this work visa story from The Legalization Project, Daniela details what drew her to the healthcare field, realizing the H-1B could be an option for her, completing the visa interview and reentry process, and the importance of having a plan B.
Luz, The Public Health Researcher. In this work visa story from The Legalization Project, Luz reflects on practicing self-advocacy, navigating mixed emotions visiting family in Mexico, going through Customs, and the relief of completing the H-1B process.
Rachel, The Social Worker. In this work visa story from The Legalization Project, Rachel explores her experience wrestling with complicated feelings when her employer agreed to sponsor her for a work visa – particularly about returning to Vietnam for her consular interview. She reflects on the stress and anxiety of the visa application process, the milestones in her career as a social worker, the value of her support network, and her steadfast belief in her ability to find belonging anywhere in the world.
Victor, The Latino Studies Professor. In this work visa story from The Legalization, Victor recounts his experience navigating the complex realities of H-1B sponsorship, including returning to El Salvador for consular process, all while balancing the demands of his academic career.
Jose Antonio Vargas’s story. A video featuring Define America’s Founder and President, sharing his story of navigating life as an undocumented immigrant and the process he went through to obtain an O-1 visa.
Said, The Computer Scientist. In this work visa story from The Legalization Project, Said shares how he broke into the tech industry, fast-tracked his PhD, convinced his employer to sponsor him for an O-1 visa, and returned to the U.S. following his consular appointment in Tijuana.
Joel’s story. A video by FWD.us detailing the experience of a Microsoft employee and DACA recipient who went through the employment-based green card process.
DACA Employment-Based Permanent Residency Sponsorship Handbook. This handbook, written by Joel (see above), offers guidance for DACA recipients seeking permanent residency through employment sponsorship. It details Joel’s personal experience, outlining steps such as labor certification, the immigrant visa petition, and the application process. The handbook is intended to help others navigate the sponsorship process with clarity and address common questions. It does not constitute legal advice.
Marisol, The Recruiter. In this work visa story from The Legalization Project, Marisol shares her experience opening up about her status with her employer, finding out she was eligible for employment-based permanent residency sponsorship, and navigating delays and setbacks on the way to approval.
Success Stories. Narratives of Dreamers who successfully obtained employment-based visas,
Employment-based visas can be an important pathway to a more stable, secure status for undocumented individuals and those in fragile statuses (e.g., Temporary Protected Status, humanitarian parole, and Deferred Enforcement Departure), though the process can be complex. This section provides resources tailored to your situation—including information on advance parole, D-3 waivers, and employment-based green cards. Whether you’re currently in school or already graduated, you’ll find tools and guidance to help you navigate your next steps.
Additional Audiences and Resources:
- For higher education resources, visit this page.
- For employer and legal counsel resources, visit this page.
- To get legal help, visit this page.
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