Many of our sponsors have professional opportunities within their companies, so you may stay longer than 1 year and receive promotions or take a job within your field of expertise inside that company. The possibilities are endless! Don't limit yourself to just one year at your company and think of it as a place to grow!
If you have your green card already:
After you work your 12+ months in your role, your sponsor might have openings in other roles that you can help fill with your education or background. It is fine for you to move on to a skilled role if you have received your green card. For example, one BDV client worked in production in a warehouse for his year commitment, but then (with green card in hand) became a software engineer for the company to work in his degree and skillset.
If you don't have your green card yet:
You can still be promoted, but your line of promotion must match the "natural progression" of the unskilled role. But you cannot be promoted to work as a software engineer or a non-related role at that company.
If you have a I-485 interview and you are not currently in the LC role because you have been promoted, the USCIS officer will look for a "natural progression" when considering approval or denial.
Some examples of natural progression promotions:
In a restaurant setting, a food prep worker can become a line cook, then shift manager or even a store manager, as long as they have worked their way up gradually.
In a manufacturing setting, they could go from production helper to production supervisor or line manager, even warehouse manager.
Important Immigration Advice:
Remaining employed in your EB-3 Unskilled job for some more time after getting your green card can show to the U.S. government that you had the appropriate intent to work for the sponsor post-green card issuance. If you stop working for your sponsor immediately after getting your green card, this could raise red flags if you later want to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.