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Comment by presty | Hacker News Reader

> What are the other alternatives to H1B to immigrate to America?

Realistic alternatives for any common person? None. You could apply to the DV lottery if you're born/from an eligible country but if you're from an ineligible country, that door's closed.

There are only selective alternatives:

- the extraordinary ones

- marriage

- immediate family

- if you're rich

- if you're a victim of some hate crime/war

Ironic, I'd say.

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These are largely true for most developed nations.

No, that is incorrect. The United States is the only G7 country that doesn't have straightforward, non-lottery ways to obtain permanent legal residency and work status. In most developed countries the idea of a non-immigrant work visa is extremely limited; once you are in the country you are accumulating time toward obtaining permanent residency.

The US immigration system is a series of exceptions and loopholes, if you investigate the process for immigrating to any other G7 country you will find that there is a general "skilled migrant" category with some basic requirements (such as education, language proficiency, good health) that more or less guarantees eventual citizenship once obtained.

Australia's immigration policies appears to be lot more open than America's. As long as you have certifiable skills, and have stayed here the mandatory amount of time, you are almost guaranteed a permanent residency, after which point you are almost guaranteed a citizenship.

> and have stayed here the mandatory amount of time

No, you can get PR if you have the required points. (Education, Age, Work Ex). It does not matter if you have never been to Australia before.

I believe the gp is referring to the conversion of a 457 (temporary residence, sponsored by employee, much like a H1B), to PR. This can be requested at any time.

Prior to approx. 2010 (IIRC), this was a pretty standard way for people to gain PR. Rules changed in 2010 to make this route more complex/involved.

EDIT: Re-read of the gp, and you may be correct.

> and you may be correct.

I know I am correct because I have Australian PR :)

I went to Aus after I got the PR.

I guess I'm thinking of the EU nations, to which I thought about moving.

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