I am currently a student in the US and will be entering my senior year this fall. For several reasons (most notably an American girlfriend), I would like to apply for a green card. What are the channels I should go through? Which are the relevant authorities I should contact? Are there any other ways I can continue to live here past my visa's deadline?

For most people, the only two ways to obtain a green card are to either marry a US citizen, or obtain one via employer sponsorship. People of certain countries can enter the `visa lottery', although this doesn't guarantee a green card, or seek asylum etc. But for the general person, the employment- or family-based schemes are the only options.

After your student visa expires, you can apply for 12 months practical training. It is also possible to convert to another visa class (e.g. H-1). These methods do not immediately give you a green card, but allow you to stay in the US.

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