Competing as a non U.S. resident

[eelenaa]

Hey! I'm an international student currently living in Colorado on an F1 visa, I'm competing at a regional show this April, but as I understand I can't go on to compete in Nationals even if I qualify, because even tho I am a U.S. resident, I'm not a U.S. citizen. Have any of you known about anyone in the same situation and how they dealt with this? Do sponsors ever hook their athletes up with green cards if they see them going far? Is there any other way of getting a green card or becoming a U.S. citizen for competing?

I know this isn't the regular question, and isn't specifically related to bodybuilding, but I'd appreciate any information I can get on the topic, have tried googling but not finding any promising answers. Thanks a lot!

[dvsness]

Win a few overalls and then petition your country of citizenship for Pro status.

[eelenaa]

Win a few overalls and then petition your country of citizenship for Pro status.

Can I do that even if my overalls are won in the U.S.?

[dvsness]

Yes. It's been done many times, hence petitioning for it and not earning it in your home country by competing there.

[eelenaa]

Yes. It's been done many times, hence petitioning for it and not earning it in your home country by competing there.

Okay, thanks a lot! That clears things up!