Working After Graduation: Options For International Students

International students who graduate from a UK university may be able to stay in the country and work, or look for work, upon graduation. The Graduate Route visa allows international students to remain in the UK for up to two years after completing an undergraduate or master's degree, or up to three years for PhD graduates. This visa is unsponsored, meaning graduates can work in any sector and at any skill level without a minimum salary requirement. There are, however, costs associated with the Graduate Route visa, including a one-off application fee and an annual Immigration Health Surcharge.

Characteristics of international students working after graduation

Work permit requirements and visa extensions

International students' ability to work after graduation depends on the country and its specific visa and work permit requirements. Here is an overview of the requirements and extensions for a few countries:

Spain

As of August 16, 2024, Spain introduced reforms to its immigration law, Royal Decree 557/2011 (RLOEX), making it easier for international students to work after graduation. Previously, international students needed to hold a student visa for more than three years before being eligible to switch to a work permit visa, which was challenging as most programmes are shorter in duration. The new law allows international students to live in Spain for one additional year after completing their studies to look for a job without requesting a visa extension. Once they secure a job, graduates need to show their corresponding title or certification, and their switch to a work permit will be faster.

United Kingdom

In the UK, international students on a Student Visa are allowed to work full-time during their studies, and they can continue working full-time after their course completion, provided they have applied for a Graduate Route visa or a Skilled Worker visa. PhD students can apply for a Skilled Worker visa after 24 months of study. Students who received their visa after April 6, 2022, can start working full-time with a permanent employer if they have completed their degree. If the student visa was granted before this date, individuals must wait until their Graduate Route visa has been approved.

Work Permit Requirements:

• Spain: International students can work up to 30 hours per week while studying and can live in the country for one additional year after graduation to seek employment.
• UK: Students on a Student Visa can work full-time during their studies and after course completion if they have applied for the appropriate visas (Graduate Route or Skilled Worker).

Visa Extensions:

• Spain: No visa extension is required for the one-year period granted to international students to find employment after graduation.
• UK: Students can work full-time after their official course end date, as per their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), until their Graduate Route or Skilled Worker visa is approved.

Working full-time vs part-time

International students in the US on an F1 visa are allowed to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after completing their degrees. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total. Working full-time on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for 12 months or more makes one ineligible for OPT. Working part-time on CPT or full-time CPT for less than 12 months makes one eligible for OPT. CPT employment is defined as "alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school." The work experience must be required for the degree, or academic credit must be awarded. Prior authorization by the school's International Student Office and notification to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required.

In Spain, international students can legally work for up to 30 hours a week while studying and can live in the country for one year after finishing their studies while looking for a job. Previously, the law stated that foreigners with a student visa could only work for 20 hours a week.

Entrepreneur work permits

International students can work after graduation, but the process and requirements vary depending on the country. For example, in Spain, new laws have made it easier for international students to remain in the country after completing their studies. International students in Spain can now work up to 30 hours per week while studying and can stay in the country for one year after graduation to look for a job. They no longer need to have held a student visa for more than three years to switch to a work permit visa.

In the United States, there are various pathways for international entrepreneurs to work in the country, including both temporary and permanent options. Here is an overview of some common pathways:

International Entrepreneur Rule

This rule allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant a period of authorized stay to alien entrepreneurs who demonstrate that their stay in the US would provide a significant public benefit through their business venture. This period of authorized stay is called "parole." To be eligible, entrepreneurs must have a substantial ownership interest (at least 10%) in the startup business and play a central and active role in its operations. The startup must be a US business entity that is lawfully conducting business in the US and was formed within the five years preceding the application. The initial period of parole can be up to 2.5 years, with the possibility of a renewal for another 2.5 years, for a maximum of five years.

E-2 Treaty Investor or EB-5 Immigrant Investor

These pathways require a financial investment in a US business but may not necessitate ownership or a specific role in the startup entity.

L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager

This pathway is for individuals who will hold a managerial or executive position in the US company.

H-1B Specialty Occupation

This pathway is for individuals who will work in a specialty occupation related to their degree.

O-1A Nonimmigrant Classification or EB-1A First-Preference Immigrant Visa Classification

These pathways are for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field of expertise and require continued work in that field.

It is important to note that these are just a few examples, and there may be other pathways or considerations for specific situations. Consulting with an attorney or reviewing country-specific government websites is recommended to determine the most suitable pathway for an individual's unique circumstances.

Family visas and work

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to accept on-campus employment, provided certain conditions and restrictions are met. On-campus employment includes work that takes place at the school location, such as in a bookstore or cafeteria, as long as the work directly provides services for students. F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus in certain circumstances, such as for a contractually affiliated company. However, during the school term, F-1 students cannot work more than 20 hours per week in total across all jobs.

After graduation, international students on an F-1 visa have 60 days to either enrol in another college programme or enrol in an OPT (Optional Practical Training) program. OPT is a temporary form of employment related to the student's field of study, allowing international students to work and stay in the US for up to 12 months. To be eligible for OPT, students must meet certain requirements, such as ensuring their employment is related to their field of study and being deemed eligible by the USCIS.

Another option for international students seeking to work in the US after graduation is to obtain an H-1B visa, which allows the holder to work and live in the US for up to six years. Spouses and minor children of H-1B visa holders automatically obtain H-4 visas, which allow them to accompany the applicant to the US and attend school, but not work. Obtaining an H-1B visa can be challenging, as it requires finding an employer willing to sponsor the visa, which can be expensive and time-consuming for the company.

One way to increase the chances of obtaining a work visa is to do an internship with an organization that will sponsor work visas. This allows students to gain experience and build relationships, improving their chances of obtaining sponsorship after graduation. It is recommended to start preparing for this at least a year in advance and to focus not only on good grades but also on gaining experience and transferable skills.

International students can also consider applying for a green card, which can provide a path to permanent residency in the US. While this option is in high demand and can be difficult to obtain, there are several ways to apply for a green card, such as through employer sponsorship, family sponsorship, or participation in US military services.

Right to work checks

International students on an F-1 visa can legally work in the US for up to one year after graduation through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. However, there are several rules and criteria that must be followed by international students while working. For instance, an F-1 student's total work hours for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term. They may work full-time during periods when school is not in session or during their annual break.

Certain STEM majors can extend OPT for up to two more years. The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training directly related to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field. To be eligible for this extension, your employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify program, and you must be a STEM degree graduate.

F1 students can apply for a green card, but the process is complex and often requires transitioning to a dual-intent visa like the H-1B. The path to permanent residency typically involves employer sponsorship, marriage to a US citizen, or other qualifying circumstances.

There are several ways to apply for a green card, such as being sponsored by an employer, being sponsored by relatives who are business owners, participating in US military services, or receiving parent/child sponsorship.

Frequently asked questions