A photo appeared on the phone screen – Mr. Z had taken a picture of two green cards, neatly placed on the table. The cards are small, but they carry a family’s six‑year journey of waiting and striving.

In Zhaolong’s VIP private immigration service group, Mr. Z said: “Received. Thank you for accompanying us all the way.” The anxiety and hope behind those simple words are known only to the Zhaolong team and Mr. Z’s family.

        From OPT to Green Card: A Software Engineer’s “Status Marathon” – and a Family’s Growth Journey

Mr. Z, a bachelor’s degree holder and software engineer. When he signed with Zhaolong for consultation, both he and his wife were in OPT status, working while anxiously waiting for the H‑1B lottery results that year. At that time, they were a classic “two‑person household,” with careers just gaining momentum and full of hope for the future – but the uncertainty of immigration status always hung over them like a dark cloud.

International students in the U.S. all understand that feeling – OPT has a time limit, the lottery is a matter of luck, and even if you win, H‑1B is only temporary. Every extension, every job change, every policy shift can upend your life. They didn’t want to live in constant anxiety over status, so they decided to start the green card process early.

“We want a stable future,” Mr. Z said during the first consultation. It was this foresight and sense of responsibility that led them to decisively start the green card application even before their OPT results came through – because they knew the road to a green card is long, and the sooner you start, the sooner you arrive.

And the wonderful twist of fate: while they were submitting applications and patiently waiting in the queue, their child quietly arrived – a little life born in the U.S., naturally holding U.S. citizenship, yet making their parents’ “status anxiety” even more profound. As their child grew, from babbling to now 3 years old, the parents’ green cards were still on the way. Every photo of the child reminded them: they had to secure permanent peace of mind for this family.

        Assessment and Plan Customisation: Why Could EB‑3 Be Started During OPT?

When we first met Mr. Z, our team conducted a comprehensive assessment of his background.

Mr. Z holds a U.S. bachelor’s degree and is an experienced software engineer – fully meeting the qualifications for the “Skilled Worker – Professionals” sub‑category under EB‑3, which requires a U.S. bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a profession that normally requires a bachelor’s degree or higher. His wife also has a strong professional background and could join as a derivative applicant.

In selecting the immigration category, we analysed the overall situation of Mr. Z and his wife in depth. A professional with “education and experience” like Mr. Z is an excellent fit for EB‑3 skilled immigration.

More importantly, EB‑3 has no extra requirements for achievements or language proficiency, and can be started immediately – even during the OPT period, the PERM process can begin, getting them into the immigration pipeline early.

Additionally, from a family financial perspective, EB‑3 costs are manageable, requiring no large investment, and would not overburden a young family just starting out. Plus, as they were both in the U.S. at the time, they could pursue I‑485 adjustment of status within the U.S. without leaving for consular processing, so their daily lives would not be disrupted.

After the comprehensive assessment, Mr. Z fully endorsed the full EB‑3 (Professional category) plan proposed by the Zhaolong Immigration U.S. team, and quickly signed the agreement to start the employer‑related process.

        Six Years of Perseverance: A Complete Timeline – From Two to Three

From signing the contract during OPT, to successfully winning the H‑1B lottery, to finally receiving the green cards – Mr. Z and his family went through a full six years. The road was not short, but every step was solid and determined, and along the way they received the most precious gift of all.

        PERM Stage (2020‑2021)
· August 2020: PWD (Prevailing Wage Determination) application submitted
· January 2021: PWD approved
· March‑May 2021: Recruitment advertising – the employer posted advertisements on the state workforce agency website and major job boards, proving no qualified U.S. worker was available for the position
· June 2021: PERM labor certification application submitted
· November 2021: PERM approved

PERM is the most critical and patience‑testing part of the entire EB‑3 process. It requires the employer to complete a strict labor market test, demonstrating that the position indeed requires hiring a foreign national. Mr. Z’s employer had stable operations, sound finances, and cooperated fully throughout – from PWD to recruitment to PERM approval, every step was completed on time. Notably, during this period, Mr. Z won the H‑1B lottery, transitioning from OPT to H‑1B, adding another layer of security to the whole application.

        I‑140 Stage (2022)
· February 2022: I‑140 immigrant petition submitted
· September 2022: I‑140 approved

After PERM approval, the employer must file the I‑140 with USCIS within 180 days. Mr. Z’s I‑140 approval meant his “employment‑based immigrant status” was formally established and his priority date was locked. That same year, their small family welcomed a new life – the arrival of their child made the desire for green cards even stronger.

        I‑485 Stage (2024‑2026)
· February 2024: When the Date for Filing (Chart B) opened, Mr. Z filed I‑485 adjustment of status applications from within the U.S.
· June 2026: I‑485 approved, card production initiated
· July 2026: Permanent green cards delivered

When Chart B (Dates for Filing) opens, applicants whose priority dates have become current may file I‑485 adjustment of status in the U.S. The Zhaolong Immigration U.S. documentation team had already reminded Mr. Z before the end of FY2025 to pay close attention to the Chart B opening window in the first half of FY2026 – and strongly advised them to cancel their initial plan to return to China for the Spring Festival, so that once the Chart B date reached, they could immediately file the I‑485 applications from within the U.S.

As it turned out, the team’s keen insight successfully helped him seize the Chart B opening window in FY2026, and the couple’s I‑485 applications were timely filed. In June 2026, the I‑485s were approved; in July, the green cards arrived at their home.

        Two Cards, One Family, A Perfect Ending

From August 2020 to July 2026 – six full years.

In those six years, Mr. Z went from OPT to H‑1B, from H‑1B to green card; the couple went from a “two‑person world” to a “family of three”; their child was born and raised in the U.S., now 3 years old. And today, two green cards on the table mean this family no longer has to worry about the “expiration date” of their status – their child can attend school in the U.S. without concern, and the couple can freely change jobs and travel in and out of the U.S. without visa restrictions. Most importantly, they fulfilled the promise they made to themselves: before their child is old enough to understand, give this family a solid foundation of security.

The moment the green card photo arrived, every member of the Zhaolong team felt genuine joy for them. Mr. Z wrote in his message: “Thank you for your professionalism and companionship all the way – from consultation to green card in hand, from two to three. We trusted you, and you did not let us down.”

With Zhaolong, the immigration journey stays steady.
EB‑3 skilled immigration is a path that demands patience – PERM takes time, I‑140 takes time, the priority date wait takes time, and I‑485 takes time. But it is precisely this patience and persistence that brings the final fulfilment.

The success of Mr. Z’s family depended on several key factors: accurate category targeting, full employer cooperation, sharp timing of the filing window, and unwavering trust and perseverance over six years.

Of course, along this long road, they also gained something even more precious than a green card – a healthy baby, and a family made closer through shared effort.

If you, like Mr. Z, have a stable job in the U.S., employer support, and a bachelor’s degree or higher (or two or more years of professional experience) – even if you are still in OPT status, you don’t have to wait until you win the H‑1B lottery to start. The sooner you begin the green card journey, the sooner you gain peace of mind. And when more surprises come into your life, status will no longer be a concern.

The road to a green card is never easy, but with a professional team by your side, every step can be steadier.

With Zhaolong, the immigration journey stays steady.

[This article is based on a real client case and has been adapted for publication with the client’s consent. Past outcomes do not guarantee similar results. Immigration applications are subject to various factors. Please consult a professional advisor for a personalised plan.]