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Case Stories
✅ EB-3 Skilled Worker Approved - International Student PhD Candidate
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✅ **Case Status: Approved**
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An international student who began their EB-3 process during OPT after a master's degree successfully received their green card. The process took long enough that the applicant enrolled in a PhD program in the interim. The case highlights the extended timelines common in EB-3 and the life decisions applicants face while waiting.
Applicant began EB-3 sponsorship during post-master's OPT with a long-term employer. Due to the extended processing timeline, the applicant enrolled in a PhD program and had been pursuing doctoral research and teaching for approximately one year by the time approval came through. The green card was approved and physical card delivery was pending at time of posting. The applicant now faces a career crossroads: returning to the sponsoring employer full-time versus continuing doctoral studies, illustrating how EB-3 timelines can significantly impact life and career planning.
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**[📎 View Original Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/comments/1tr4c96/greened_whats_next/)**
*Source: Reddit EB-3 search*
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*This post was automatically curated from online sources to share real case experiences with the community.*
This case reflects a common pattern for EB-3 applicants who began the process on OPT: timelines are long enough that applicants often make significant life decisions (graduate school, job changes) while waiting. Once a green card is approved, the applicant is no longer bound to the sponsoring employer and has full work authorization flexibility. Those in similar situations should be aware that EB-3 approval does not require you to return to the sponsoring company — the green card is yours regardless. For PhD students on OPT-based EB-3, plan for multi-year timelines and consider how that affects academic commitments.