US Immigration - Full Study+Work Timeline: F1 > H1B > PWD > PERM > i140 > i485 > GC

Here's a snapshot of the full immigration cycle for a foreign individual not in US going from:
Being a Student > Getting Employment > Green Card:

Your journey starts at:
A) STEP 1 if you want to come to the US on a study visa
B) STEP 5 if you are applying for H1B work visa

1. Before coming to US:
   Time: 6months-1year
1. Prepare for SAT/GRE exam (1-2months)
2. Schedule, book & give SAT/GRE exam (1month) ($50-$250)
3. Filter Universities wrt exam results, profile, ranking, budget, location (in parallel)
4. Apply to at least 5 Universities ($50-$100 per application) (1month) 
5. Finalize admit after getting all results (1-2months)
6. Get I-20 from University (1month)
7. Apply DS-160 non-immigrant visa form (in parallel)
8. Schedule, book & give Visa Interview (3-6months)
   
   
2. After getting F1 Student Visa:
   Time: 9months-4years
1. Get Student (F1) visa in passport (2weeks-1month)
2. Book travel & Come to US (Max 2weeks before visa start date)
3. Attend at least 2 semesters (8-12months)
   
   
3. In College: Start Working:
   Time: 0-1years for Masters, or 0-3years for Bachelors
1. Work part-time onsite as an RA/TA or non-technical hourly job.
2. Find an internship (in parallel) after studying for 2 semesters
3. CPT > (3months to 1year max conventionally)
4. Complete all Bachelors/Masters degree credits/requirements (0-3years)
5. Get EAD> (in parallel) (2-4months to arrive)
6. Find an internship / full-time job (in parallel) (0-8months)
7. Get registered by employer on (i9advantage.com)
   
   
4. After College: Continue working on Student VISA Before H1B:
   Time: 1min-3max years
1. Update I-20 for OPT (in parallel) (2weeks-1month)
2. OPT (1 year max) for both STEM & non-STEM students
3. Update I-20 for STEM OPT (in parallel) (2weeks-1month)
4. STEM OPT (only for STEM students) (2 years max)
   
   
5. Apply for H1B work visa:
   Time: 9months to 1year
1. Apply for H1B work visa (before March)
   Timing: in parallel to OPT while already in US
   or while you are not in US through a US based employer
   
2. H1B visa approval (based on lottery results) (33% chance you will get it)
   
   
6. After H1B approval:
   Time: 0min-6max years
1. H1B Granted
2. H1B CoS (October of current year OR consulate appointment onwards)
3. H1B transfer (if getting new job/position)
4. H1B extension (6months before expiration)
5. Request permanent residency process to be started 3-4 years before your 6year work visa expires
   
   
7. PWD+PERM+i-140 Filing Process:
   Time: 2.5min - 4max years
1. Start PWD process with lawyer + employer (1.5-3months) 
   (Process needs to start 4years before H1B 6year period expiration)
2. Position lock period starts: Not recommended to switch employers or change role/location/responsibilities.
3. Wait for PWD approval (6months) (add 6months for application errors)
4. Recruitment Study run by lawyer + employer (3months)
5. File LCA/PERM with lawyer + employer (1.5months)
6. Wait for LCA/PERM approval (Minimum:1 year without audit; 1.5years with audit)
7. H1B max total period expires (max total 6years + time spent outside US)
8. Receive priority date for green card application
9. File i-140 with lawyer + employer (1.5-3months)
10. Wait for i-140 Approval
11. Premium processing: 2weeks; you pay $2500
    or Normal process: 6-9months
    
    
8. After i-140 Approval:
   Time: 6months min + 0-25 years (est.)
1. You need to wait for 6months before your priority date is permanent.
2. After 6months position lock expires; now you can switch employers and get unlimited 3year H1B renewals.
3. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the Department of State, determines when an immigrant visa (green card) is available based on the priority date and preference category.
4. Wait for priority date to become current (Wait time varies wrt country of origin)
5. If priority date is current or a visa is available, the individual can either adjust their status to permanent residency within the US or undergo consular processing at a US embassy/consulate abroad.
6. File i-485
7. Get Actual Green Card

NOTE: ANY TIMING PROVIDED ABOVE IS ONLY A ROUGH ESTIMATE BASED ON RECENT EXPERIENCE. FUTURE PROCESSING CAN BE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT.