Ani "Secondly, my friend who recently graduated with from a masters program from a univeristy in US recieved her work permit in a few months (4-5 months), and recieving their permanant residency in another several months. Like someone pointed out, it differs in different cases." You are talking about a very special case... You never mentioned on what circumstances she got "work permit". It's not called work permit.. it's "Employment Authorization" Getting this EA is very rare...... And may I know how many months when you say "in another several months she got Permanent residence"? It could mean 2, 10, 36!!!!