International Students: Stay Or Leave After Finding A Job?

International students in the US face a unique set of challenges when it comes to finding employment after graduation. Not only do they have to navigate the complexities of visas and sponsorship, but they may also encounter reluctance from employers due to the time and cost involved in hiring international graduates. However, there are several ways international students can increase their chances of finding a job in the US. These include starting the job search early, networking with professionals and fellow students, attending career fairs, utilising career services at their university, and gaining experience through internships. Once employed, international students can work towards transferring their F-1 student visa status to an H-1B status, allowing them to live and work in the US for up to six years.

International students can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus, provided they report their work and receive a certification letter

International students in the US on an F-1 visa have three main employment-related guidelines. Firstly, they may work at any qualifying on-campus job that does not displace a US citizen or LPR. Secondly, they may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session (full-time during those periods when school is not in session or during the annual vacation). Finally, they should report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration in order to be able to receive a Social Security number.

On-campus jobs for international students include roles such as a night desk attendant in a residence hall or a tutor at the Learning Center. To be a tutor, for instance, you need to apply in the spring semester, usually by March, to be a tutor the following year, and you will need to get a recommendation from an advisor to prove you have the academic knowledge for the course(s) you will be tutoring.

International students on an F-1 visa are not permitted to work off-campus without meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining official authorization. Off-campus employment is only allowed in the following circumstances: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Severe Economic Hardship Employment. CPT is employment that trains you in your field of study and for which you fulfill academic credit or part of your degree requirement. It may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to your field of study. OPT is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year either before or after they graduate. To be eligible for Severe Economic Hardship Employment, students must have completed at least one academic year and have proven a severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond their control, as well as a lack of on-campus employment opportunities.

It is important to note that not complying with the guidelines for on-campus employment may be a violation of status that could result in the F-1 student having to leave the United States.

Off-campus employment is only authorized in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are expected to demonstrate an ability to afford school and living expenses and are not usually permitted to work off-campus. However, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances. Emergent circumstances are unforeseen world events that affect a specific group of F-1 students, causing them to suffer severe economic hardship. Examples include natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises.

To qualify for off-campus employment, students must meet several criteria. They must have been enrolled in an academic program for at least one full academic year, be in good academic standing, and demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. The student must also show that working off-campus will not impact their ability to attend school full-time.

If a student meets the above criteria, a Designated School Official (DSO) can recommend off-campus employment. The DSO must verify that the student qualifies by entering the employment information into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The student must then file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the USCIS. USCIS will grant authorization on a case-by-case basis and only for up to one year at a time.

It is important to note that off-campus employment authorization ends 1 year after issuance or upon completion of the student's program, whichever comes first. Additionally, F-1 students are expected to leave the US within 60 days of completing their program, unless they are starting a new program of study or have received authorization to work through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

International students can stay in the US for up to 60 days after graduation to enrol in another college program or an OPT program

International students on an F-1 visa have 60 days after graduation to decide on their next steps. They can either enrol in another college programme or apply for an OPT (Optional Practical Training) programme. This 60-day grace period is crucial for international students to prepare for their next move, whether it's furthering their education or gaining practical training and employment.

The OPT program allows international students to extend their F-1 visa status for a year while they work, train, or intern in their area of study. This provides a valuable opportunity for hands-on experience in their major field of study. To be eligible for OPT, students must apply for it several months before graduation and ensure they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

It's important to note that the OPT process has specific requirements and regulations. For example, if an international student leaves the country after completing their degree but before receiving their EAD and obtaining a job, they may encounter difficulties in being readmitted to the US, potentially impacting their chances of securing a postgraduate work visa. Therefore, it is advisable to have all the necessary documents, such as endorsed I-20 forms and a letter of employment, when returning to the US after receiving the EAD.

Additionally, international students can explore other options to extend their stay in the US beyond the 60-day grace period. One option is to pursue a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) degree, which may qualify them for a STEM OPT extension, allowing them to stay and work in the US for up to 24 months after graduation. Alternatively, with the support of US employers, international students can transfer their F-1 student visa status to an H-1B visa, enabling them to work and live in the US for up to six years.

To increase their chances of finding employment in the US, international students should start their job search early, even before graduation. They can take advantage of their university's career services, attend career fairs, build connections, and seek guidance from career coaches. Networking is essential, as it exposes students to various job opportunities and allows them to gain valuable career insights and advice.

Students who studied STEM may be eligible for a STEM OPT extension, allowing them to stay and work in the US for 24 months after graduation

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the school term and full-time when school is not in session. However, this work must take place on campus, and students are expected to leave the US after graduation, with a 60-day grace period to prepare.

However, students who studied STEM may be eligible for a STEM OPT extension, allowing them to stay and work in the US for 24 months after graduation. OPT is an off-campus employment opportunity for F-1 students to gain hands-on experience in their major field of study. The STEM OPT extension is granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is available to eligible F-1 students who hold a bachelor's degree or higher in an eligible STEM field from an SEVP-certified school that is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education.

To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, students must pursue their practical training through an employer enrolled in USCIS' E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. This employer must guarantee the student will complete a minimum of 20 hours of work per week and provide formal training and learning objectives. The student must work with their employer to complete Form I-983, which includes how the training opportunity relates to the student's qualifying STEM degree. The employer must also complete parts of this form, attesting that they have the resources and personnel to train the student, that the student will not replace a US worker, and that the work will help the student attain their training objectives.

Students can apply for the STEM OPT extension no earlier than 90 days before their Post-OPT EAD expiration date, and applications must be received by USCIS within 60 days of the STEM OPT recommendation date and before the Post-OPT EAD expiration date. Students must also submit a completed Form I-983 to receive the STEM OPT Extension recommendation on their Form I-20.

To work in the US, international students may need a company to sponsor them for an H-1B non-immigrant visa, which can be challenging to find

International students in the US on F-1 visas are allowed to work, but their total work hours cannot exceed 20 hours per week during the school term. They can work full-time during school breaks or vacations. Within 60 days of graduating, F-1 visa students must either enrol in another college programme or enrol in an OPT (Optional Practical Training) programme to gain employment. This allows them to extend their F-1 visa status for a year while they work, train, or intern in their field of study.

However, to work in the US after graduation, international students may need to transition to a different visa status, such as the H-1B non-immigrant visa. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to hire international workers in specialty occupations, such as mathematics, engineering, technology, and medical sciences. This visa typically has an initial duration of three years, which may be extended for up to six years under certain circumstances.

The process of obtaining an H-1B visa can be challenging for international students. Firstly, they need to find a US company willing to sponsor them, which can be difficult as the process is expensive and time-consuming for employers. Companies must first demonstrate that they cannot find the required skills in the US workforce and ensure that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact US workers' wages and working conditions. Secondly, there is an annual cap on the number of H-1B visas issued, with 65,000 visas available each fiscal year and an additional 20,000 for foreign professionals with a master's degree or higher from a US institution.

To initiate the H-1B visa process, the employer must apply for certification from the Department of Labor and then submit a petition to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The prospective international employee then applies for the visa outside the United States. It is important to note that the H-1B visa process can be complex and may involve additional requirements and steps not mentioned here.

Frequently asked questions