Any options if H1B isn't selected in lottery?

[allfiredup]

What is the name of your state? Georgia

My company filed for an H1B for a young man we currently have working for us. He graduated last summer and started to work with us at that time. It is my understanding that his student visa expires one year after graduation.

I have developed a very good working relationship with him and he is truly an asset to our organization. I am very unsettled by the possibility that he may not be able to continue working for me if his H1B isn't approved.

Are there any other options he/I could be considering as a contingency plan? The subject of a Green Card has been mentioned to me by a former colleague whose husband emigrated from Iran (although in the early '80s).

Any ideas or suggestions that could possibly allow him to remain working for me if the H1B doesn't pan out? How realistic would it be to pursue a Green Card?

Thank you to anyone who has input on the matter. I hate to admit it, but I am quite distraught over the situation and just want to be sure I know every possible option we might have available.

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

Depending on what his qualifications are, the pursuit of the employment-based permanent residence (green card) is a very distinct possibility. If his petition is not selected in the lottery, there is really not much you can do in the short term if there are no other visa classifications for which he might be eligible. It is important to determine exactly when his OPT (optional practical training) expires to determine how much time you have before you need to make sure the green card process can gotten to a "safe" stage for him to remain, if he is otherwise eligible.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or how I can be of further assistance to you in this matter.