Working In The Usa: Post-Graduation Options For International Students

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. Certain STEM majors can extend OPT for up to two more years. After OPT expires, international students only have 60 days to leave the US or find alternative work authorization. Therefore, it is recommended to start exploring work visa options early. The four most common temporary work visas are the H-1B, E-2, TN, and O-1A. Obtaining a work visa in the U.S. can be challenging due to the limited number of visas issued annually and the competitive nature of the application process.

Work visas for international students

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. This allows students to work and train in the US for up to 12 months in their field of study, with STEM majors being able to extend OPT for up to two additional years.

OPT can also be used by a student entrepreneur to start their company before or after graduation. However, once OPT or STEM OPT expires, international students only have 60 days to leave the US or find alternative work authorization. Therefore, it is recommended to start exploring work visa options as soon as possible.

The four most common temporary work visas for international students are the H-1B, E-2, TN, and O-1A. The H-1B visa is granted for an initial period of three years and can be further extended for another three years. To qualify for this visa, the employer is required to initiate the visa process.

The E-2 visa has no degree requirement, meaning a qualifying student entrepreneur could apply before graduating. This visa can be extended indefinitely as long as the business is operational and viable. The TN visa is well-suited for international students from Canada or Mexico, but only specific occupations qualify. The O-1A is a temporary work visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities, with no specific degree or income requirements.

Another option for international students is to obtain a Green Card, which permits individuals to work anywhere in the US, receive financial benefits, and live in the country indefinitely. However, due to high demand, Green Cards may take several years to obtain.

OPT and STEM OPT extensions

International students on an F-1 visa can work in the US for up to one year after graduation through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. OPT is a temporary form of employment related to a student's field of study. It allows eligible students to work and stay in the US for up to 12 months. To apply for OPT, you need to ensure that your employment is related to your field of study and that you are deemed eligible by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field. To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, an F-1 student must hold a bachelor's degree or a higher degree in an eligible STEM field from a school that is accredited and certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The student must also have a paid job offer that meets the following requirements: the employer must be enrolled in the USCIS E-Verify program, the job must offer at least 20 hours of work per week, it must be a paid position, and the job must provide formal training and learning objectives directly related to the student's qualifying STEM degree.

Students may participate in the STEM OPT extension program twice. To apply for the STEM OPT extension, students must request a STEM OPT I-20 from their International Student Services (ISS) and pay the $200 STEM Post-Completion Training fee. They must then complete the Form I-983 with their employer and submit their application to USCIS before their current 12-month OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card expiration date. Once a student has filed their STEM OPT extension application, their OPT period will be automatically extended for 180 days while their application is pending.

It is important to note that F-1 students cannot qualify for STEM OPT extensions unless they will be bona fide employees of the employer signing the Form I-983. Additionally, students must begin exploring work visa options early, as they only have 60 days after their OPT or STEM OPT expires to leave the US or find alternative work authorization.

H-1B Visa

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. Certain STEM majors can extend OPT for up to two more years. Once OPT or STEM OPT expires, international students only have 60 days to leave the US or find alternative work authorization. Therefore, it is recommended to start exploring work visa options well in advance.

One such option is the H-1B Visa, which is a non-immigrant visa category that allows employers to hire highly educated foreign professionals in "specialty occupations" that require at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. The H-1B visa is initially granted for three years and can be extended for a maximum of six years. In certain cases, the USCIS may grant extensions beyond the six-year limit.

The H-1B visa has an annual cap of 65,000 visas, with an additional 20,000 visas for foreign professionals with a master's degree or higher from a US institution. The demand for H-1B visas typically exceeds the supply, and the application process is competitive. To qualify for an H-1B visa, the employer must initiate the visa process and ensure that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact US workers. The employer must also attest that they will comply with labor requirements, including paying the H-1B worker a wage that is equal to or greater than the wage paid to similarly qualified workers.

The process for obtaining an H-1B visa begins with the employer submitting a Labor Condition Application (LCA) to the Department of Labor (DOL) for certification. Once the LCA is certified, the employer can submit Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to the USCIS. If the Form I-129 petition is approved, the prospective H-1B worker can apply for the H-1B visa at a US Embassy or Consulate abroad and then apply for admission to the US in H-1B classification.

Green card

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. This allows students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months, extendable by 24 months for STEM fields.

A Green Card is the final goal for many international students who want to work in the US after graduation. It permits the holder to work anywhere in the US, receive financial benefits, and live in the US indefinitely.

There are several ways to obtain a Green Card. One way is to transition from a student visa to a work visa and then apply for a Green Card. This process can be challenging and time-consuming, as it requires careful planning and often depends on securing employer sponsorship.

Another way to obtain a Green Card is through the EB-1A pathway. This is one of the most difficult Green Card pathways because the applicant must prove that they are in the top 1% of their field. The EB-1A pathway tends to have shorter wait times than other permanent residency options, especially for students from China and India.

International students can also obtain a Green Card through the H-1B visa pathway. The H-1B visa is a great option for a postgraduate work visa, as it can be granted for an initial period of three years and extended for an additional three years. After the maximum period of six years is up, the employer can apply for a Green Card through an H-1B visa petition on the employee's behalf. However, the jump from an H-1B visa to Green Card status is not easy, and the process of securing permanent residency can take months with no guarantee of success.

Additionally, President Donald Trump has proposed offering Green Cards to international students who graduate from American schools. This proposal has given some international students hope, but it is unclear if the policy will be implemented.

Overall, obtaining a Green Card as an international student can be a complex and lengthy process, and it is important to start planning and exploring options early on.

Job search strategies

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. Certain STEM majors can extend OPT for up to two more years. The OPT allows students to work in their field of study.

• Start early: It will take longer to find employment with a company that will sponsor employees who need work visas, so it is better to start early.
• Understand your visa status and work authorization options: Research OPT, STEM OPT, and CPT, and what they mean for your employment. Understand what questions employers can legally ask about your immigration status and be prepared to educate employers about your work authorization status.
• Be proactive: Build relationships, show motivation and dedication, and demonstrate deep knowledge of your field and industry.
• Utilize your school's career services: Set up a meeting with a career coach to discuss your specific situation and goals, and take advantage of career fairs to talk to recruiters and build relationships.
• Network: Use LinkedIn regularly and attend in-person events, conferences, and alumni groups to build connections.
• Research companies: Find out if they have hired international students and graduates before, and if they are open to it.
• Prepare for interviews: Research the company and the job, and prepare questions to ask in your interview. Practice a solid closing sentence about why you are a great fit for the job.

Frequently asked questions