To transition from H-1B to a green card, your employer typically begins the employment-based green card process by filing a PERM Labor Certification to prove no qualified U.S. workers are available for the job. After PERM approval, they file Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) on your behalf. Once your priority date becomes current, you can apply for adjustment of status (Form I-485) while remaining in H-1B status.

You can move from H-1B to green card through employer sponsorship or self-petition (in specific cases like EB-1A or National Interest Waiver (NIW)). The process typically includes PERM certification, the I-140 petition, and then applying for adjustment of status when your priority date is current. Remaining on H-1B status throughout provides flexibility, as you can renew H-1B extensions beyond six years if your green card application is in progress.