International Students: Post-Grad Job Search In The Usa

International students often wonder about their career prospects in the USA after graduation. The USA is a popular study destination due to its high-quality education, diverse culture, and promising career opportunities. While international students can work in the USA after graduating, it requires careful planning and knowledge of visa requirements. Students must navigate the complexities of visas, cultural differences, and a competitive job market. This article will explore the steps international students can take to increase their chances of finding employment in the USA after completing their studies.

Visa options and requirements

As an international student in the US, you have several options to pursue a career after graduation. However, it is important to remember that job hunting for international students can be challenging, as employers may be hesitant due to complexities and misunderstandings concerning visas. Therefore, it is crucial to be well-informed about the visa requirements and restrictions and to provide this information to employers. Here are some visa options and their requirements for international students seeking to work in the US after graduation:

F-1 Visa

The F-1 student visa is a temporary status that only allows international students 60 days in the US after graduation. During this time, many students focus on extending their stay by finding a job and applying for a work visa.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT allows international students to gain practical training in their field of study for up to 12 months after graduation. This can include internships and is extendable by 24 months for STEM fields. To be eligible, students must submit work authorisation paperwork to the USCIS website, ensuring that the job relates to what they studied in college.

H-1B Visa

The H-1B visa, also known as the Person in Specialty Occupation Visa, allows graduate students to stay and work in the US for up to six years. To obtain this visa, you must demonstrate that your field of study makes you uniquely qualified for the specific job position. Requirements include possessing an advanced education degree, having a correlation between your degree and work experience and job duties, and obtaining approval of a labour condition attestation (LCA) to ensure you are not exploited by US employers.

Green Card

A green card is a highly sought-after status as it permits indefinite work and residence in the US, along with financial benefits. However, obtaining a green card can be challenging due to high demand and lengthy processing times. One way for international students to obtain a green card is through employer sponsorship, where the employer applies for an EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green card on their behalf.

Career services and job fairs

University career services can play a crucial role in helping international students navigate these complexities and find employment in the US after graduation. These services typically have experience assisting international students in their job search and can provide valuable guidance on visa requirements, job opportunities, and cultural norms in the US workplace. They can also help students connect with alumni networks, which can be a valuable source of information and job leads. It is recommended that international students take advantage of these services and meet with career coaches to discuss their specific goals and situations.

Additionally, career fairs offer international students a valuable opportunity to network with potential employers and learn about different industries. These events allow students to interact with employers directly, ask questions about their organizations, and showcase their skills and qualifications. International students can also benefit from practising their networking skills and gaining confidence in articulating their value to prospective employers. Attending career fairs can also help students learn about the latest job market trends and make valuable connections that could lead to future job opportunities.

To make the most of career fairs, international students should be prepared and well-informed. Knowing their visa status and eligibility for different jobs is essential. Students should also be open to different opportunities and showcase their global mobility, highlighting their willingness to work in various regions if required. Additionally, students can use career fairs to connect with other international students, gain insights into their job search strategies, and explore options with companies that may be more open to sponsoring international candidates or offering internships.

Overall, career services and job fairs provide international students with the tools, information, and connections they need to navigate the job market in the USA successfully. By taking advantage of these resources, international students can increase their chances of finding employment and building a successful career in the country.

Work permits and OPT extensions

International students in the US on an F-1 visa can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work and train in the country for up to 12 months after graduation. OPT is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study.

Work permits

To be eligible for OPT, you must have been lawfully enrolled full-time for one academic year at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enrol F-1 students.

OPT extensions

Students who have graduated with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree can apply for a 24-month extension of their OPT. To be eligible, you must:

• Have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a school accredited by a US Department of Education-recognized agency and certified by the SEVP at the time of submitting your STEM OPT extension application.
• Be employed by an employer enrolled in and using E-Verify.
• Have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on your STEM degree.

If you have already received one year of full-time (40 hours per week) pre-completion OPT, you will not be entitled to any period of post-completion OPT employment authorization.

If you file your STEM OPT extension application on time and your OPT period expires while your extension application is pending, your employment authorization will be automatically extended for 180 days. This automatic extension ceases once USCIS adjudicates your STEM OPT extension application.

If you are an F-1 student with a timely-filed H-1B petition and change of status request, and your F-1 status and employment authorization will expire before the change of status to H-1B occurs, you may be eligible for a cap-gap extension.

Green card eligibility

International students who want to work in the US after graduation often have acquiring a green card as their final goal. A green card, or a permanent resident card, allows individuals to work anywhere in the US, receive financial benefits, and live in the US indefinitely. Here are some ways international students can become eligible for a green card:

Graduate with an F-1 visa and find employment

If you are an international student with an F-1 visa, you can increase your chances of immigrating and getting a green card by graduating and getting your degree. Maintaining your student status as an F-1 visa holder is crucial for keeping your future prospects open. As an F-1 visa holder, you are not allowed to leave the US for more than five months at a time. If you do, you may lose your student status and will need to apply for readmission with a new Form I-20.

Once you have graduated, you can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to get a work visa and work and train in the US for up to 12 months. If you have a STEM-related degree, you can request an additional 24 months of OPT. With an OPT extension, you can apply for an H-1B visa.

Obtain an H-1B visa and maintain employment for six years

If you hold an H-1B visa, also called the Person in Specialty Occupation Visa, you may be eligible for a green card after six years. To obtain an H-1B visa, you must have been accepted into a specific job position with requirements such as possessing an advanced education degree, having work experience that correlates with your degree, and obtaining approval of a labor condition attestation (LCA) from the Department of Labor. The H-1B status is initially granted for three years and can be extended for an additional three years.

After six years with an H-1B visa, your employer will need to apply for a green card through an H-1B visa petition on your behalf. Alternatively, you may find a new employer willing to sponsor your green card application.

Receive employer sponsorship for an employment-based green card

If you attain employment while studying, your employer can sponsor you by making an application for an EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green card.

It is important to note that the process of securing permanent residency in the US can be lengthy and challenging, with multiple stages and no guarantee of success.

Job hunting tips and resources

Job hunting as an international student in the USA can be challenging due to visa complexities and cultural differences in the job market. However, with the proper work permit, international students can work in the USA after graduation. Here are some tips and resources to help you with your job search:

Understand Visa Requirements:

Know your visa requirements and restrictions. Understand the rules and regulations related to your specific visa status and work eligibility. Familiarize yourself with the process of acquiring a work visa or applying for work authorization visas like Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), Academic Training (AT), or the H-1B Visa.

Career Services and Resources:

Take advantage of your school's career services, which often have experience helping international students find jobs. Meet with a career coach to discuss your goals and seek guidance. Visit the International Student Job Center and International Student Resume Writing Center for dedicated job search assistance.

Network and Build Connections:

Networking is crucial in the US job market. Attend career fairs, seminars, and lectures to connect with professionals from various industries. Build relationships with recruiters and follow up on potential opportunities. Utilize your school's alumni network and connect with those who have gone through a similar process.

Research Employers:

Thoroughly research potential employers and target those with a history of hiring international employees on work visas. Understand their perspective on hiring international talent and be prepared to address any concerns or objections they may have.

Adapt to Cultural Differences:

Educate yourself about common job search practices in the US, including resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills, and online job searches. Be aware of cultural differences and how they may impact your job hunt.

Develop a Positive Attitude:

Job hunting can be exhausting, so maintain a positive attitude and confidence in your abilities. Understand your strengths and weaknesses and be prepared to discuss them in interviews. Turn employers' objections into positives by highlighting your adaptability, resourcefulness, and ability to overcome challenges.

Frequently asked questions