After 14 Years, Indian Scholar Finally Secures US Green Card Status

For many Indians, the United States represents more than just a destination for education or work. It is seen as a place offering stability, opportunities, and better living conditions. Achieving these goals, however, often requires years of waiting and navigating complex immigration processes.

Rajavasanth Rajasegar, an Indian professor, recently reached such a milestone after 14 years in the US. He became a permanent resident, marking the end of his long wait for a green card. In a LinkedIn post, he described the moment as life-changing. “Green card in hand, after 14 years, the visa clock has finally stopped ticking,” he wrote.

Rajasegar’s US journey began in August 2011, when he arrived on an F-1 visa to pursue a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Over the next decade, he progressed through graduate studies, postdoctoral research, and faculty positions, all while depending on temporary visas.

He noted that he benefited from a relatively smooth progression, including F-1 visa renewals, OPT and STEM extensions, a pandemic-era H-1B cap-gap exemption, and eventually a transition into a faculty role. His academic career included seven years of fully funded graduate education at UIUC, five years of postdoctoral training at Sandia National Laboratories, and a tenure-track position at the Colorado School of Mines. Despite these achievements, visa insecurity persisted.

“Even with institutional support, the visa clock never felt far away,” Rajasegar said. “I told myself I’d try EB1A. If denied, I’d seek opportunities elsewhere.”

The EB1A green card, reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability, presented its own challenges. Rajasegar faced a Request for Evidence (RFE) that required submitting additional documentation to prove the significance of his work. Even after approval, he had to travel briefly to Mexico to reset his visa before finally receiving permanent residency.

“After years of paperwork and adjustments, a short trip to Mexico concluded the process,” he said.

During his long wait, Rajasegar experienced the constant stress of temporary visa status. He recalled approaching his manager in February 2020 about starting an H-1B petition. Three months later, amid the global shutdown, he received the visa along with a letter affirming his importance to both his institution and the US. “That moment mattered, but until now, the clock was always ticking,” he added.

Now, for the first time in 14 years, he says that anxiety is gone. “Today, that clock doesn’t exist. That’s the only real difference, and it’s a big one,” Rajasegar noted.

Rajasegar acknowledged his position was relatively privileged, supported by finances, career opportunities, and institutional backing. Yet, many Indian professionals face much longer waits. Employment-based green card backlogs, particularly in EB-2 and EB-3 categories, extend for decades, sometimes approaching a century.

High demand, annual country-specific limits, and a large pool of Indian doctors, engineers, and scientists contribute to the backlog. Experts warn that even well-qualified applicants often face multi-decade waits.

“I hope the American Dream remains achievable for those who come here not only for personal growth but also to contribute to the country’s future,” Rajasegar said.