After almost 6 years on H1b, finally got my GC! Feel relief more than happiness. Except standard benefits that USCIS and lawyers notify you, what other opportunities does GC open to you? Primarily interested in financial and wealth building ways, other areas that make life easier and enjoyable are also welcome to be shared. I will start: 1. Change a job without worrying of your immigration status. 2. Work on a side business for extra income. 3. Open Vanguard and Fundrise.com accounts (3 years ago they refused to open an account without permanent residency, haven't checked later). Edit: Vanguard can be open while on H1b. 4. Qualify for a Jambo loan. Not many lenders ready to give Jambo to an H1b holder or give insane rate. 5. Travel to Canada/Mexico and some other countries without applying for their visa. What else? Will keep track of interesting comments here: 6. In case of being fired/pip/lay off, you don't have a timer running on your ass. 7. Take as long gap as you want between switching jobs. 8. Re-enter the U.S. without COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 9. Possibly more favorable loan and insurance rates. 10. Apply for Global Entry.
Vanguard can be done on H1B. It has always been doable on H1B.
Peace of mind!!
You can own/work on multiple businesses, do side projects, do multiple jobs.. eg. an acquaintance of mine has a chill Full time job, owns 3 restaurants, has partnership in few retail stores, and has a few investment properties which he manages by himself.
You can take 3 months off on GC. In case of being fired /pip/lay off, you don't have a timer running on your ass. That's the two major advantages
💯 Can you clarify about 3 months off? Haven't heard about it
I mean you can't have more than 60 days of gap between two jobs on H1b. No such restrictions on GC
Nothing really, IMO. Tech jobs consume almost all the waking hours, so no time for side business.. unless you are already rich and adventurous, i doubt this brings any steady advantage
Join a chill company and work on developing other source of income in your free time.
Some google employees are part time realtors, I personally know a few
The privilege of paying more taxes
Questionable. Can you elaborate? After the first year on H1b you become a tax resident and pay the same tax amount as GC-holders or US citizens.
Taxes remain the same OP
I have quite a few colleagues who have mentioned freedom and peace of mind. You can take more risks, join early startups who cannot sponsor etc without worrying about visa status.
Freedom to travel to the Caribbean, more favorable home and auto insurance rates
At Apple, it took you 6 years to get GC? Are you Indian/Chinese or ROW (rest of the world)?
You can do Vanguard on H1. For tax purposes you are resident alien.USCIS and IRS have different definitions of Resident Alien.
True. I tried to argue with them that way but after a few phone calls gave up and opened Schwab.