Janice Lozano
International students often wonder how long they can remain in their host country after graduation. This duration depends on the type of visa and the immigration policies of the country in question. For instance, in the United States, F-1 visa holders usually get a 60-day grace period during which they must either depart, change their visa status, or enrol in another programme. Many students use this time to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work in their field of study for up to 12 months, with STEM graduates being able to extend this by an additional 24 months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time allowed on F-1 visa after graduation | 60 days |
| Time allowed on J-1 visa after graduation | Depends on the program, but usually four months for Camp Counselor, and several years for Research Scholar and Au Pair |
| Time allowed on OPT | 12 months, with 24 months extension for STEM graduates |
| Time allowed on H-1B visa | 3 years initially, with a maximum of 6 years |
| Time allowed on EB-2 visa | N/A |
| Time allowed on EB-3 visa | N/A |
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OPT (Optional Practical Training)
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically permitted to stay in the country for 60 days after their graduation. However, Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows students to extend their stay and gain valuable work experience. OPT is a type of work permit that enables students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months after graduation.
OPT Requirements and Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must submit work authorization forms to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The most important document is Form I-765 for employment authorization, which must be submitted along with the OPT application. The Designated School Official (DSO) can provide guidance on OPT requirements and application procedures.
Students must ensure that their employment is directly related to their major area of study. OPT employment can be either part-time (minimum 20 hours per week) or full-time (40 hours per week). It is important to note that OPT must be completed within 14 months after completing the degree.
STEM OPT Extension:
Students who have graduated with a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their OPT. To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, students must meet specific requirements, including being employed by an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program.
OPT as a Pathway to H-1B Visa and Green Card:
OPT provides international students with an opportunity to build connections with employers, who may later sponsor them for an H-1B visa or an employment-based green card. The H-1B visa allows individuals to live and work in the US for up to six years and requires sponsorship from a US employer.
In summary, OPT is a valuable option for international students seeking to extend their stay in the US after graduation and gain work experience. It serves as a pathway to potential long-term career opportunities and permanent residency in the country.
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STEM graduates
International students on an F-1 visa are usually allowed to stay in the United States for 60 days after their graduation. However, there are several options for STEM graduates to extend their stay beyond this period. Here are some ways to do so:
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
The OPT program allows international students to gain practical work experience in their field of study after graduation. Students with F-1 visas may apply for 12 months of OPT after completing their undergraduate or graduate degrees. This can be further extended for STEM graduates, who can apply for an additional 24 months through the STEM OPT extension. The OPT application process involves submitting a request through your university's Designated School Official (DSO) and paying the necessary fees. It is important to note that you can start the OPT program before graduation, but the total time allowed for practical training is 12 months.
H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ graduate-level workers in specialty occupations, including STEM fields. This visa is valid for up to three years and can be extended for up to six years. To be eligible, you must have a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree and find an employer who will sponsor your visa by demonstrating that they need you to fill a specific job position. The H-1B visa can be a pathway to permanent residency, as your employer can file for employment-based permanent residency after your fifth consecutive year of employment.
Employment-Based Green Card
After gaining work experience through the OPT program or H-1B visa, international students can explore the option of applying for an employment-based green card. With an EB-2 visa, you can apply for a green card after working in the United States for five years. Alternatively, the EB-3 visa is an option for skilled workers with at least two years of experience in their field. Obtaining a green card is a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship in the United States.
It is important to start planning for your extended stay well before graduation and to seek guidance from international student counselors or immigration professionals to navigate the specific requirements and processes for each option.
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F-1 visa status
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically permitted to stay in the country for up to 60 days after their graduation date. This period is known as the Optional Practical Training (OPT) period, during which graduates can stay and work in the US. This 60-day grace period can be used to apply for OPT, which allows students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months. This period can be an excellent opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the United States.
F-1 students are eligible for curricular practical training (CPT) at either the undergraduate or graduate level during their program of study. CPT employment must directly relate to the student's major area of study. Students can also apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work off-campus in a job related to their field of study for up to 12 months. OPT is designed to allow recently graduated students to gain practical experience in their major subject.
Graduates with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) may be eligible to extend their OPT period by an additional 24 months. During this time, they can build connections with employers who may be able to sponsor them for an employment-based visa, such as the H-1B visa. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa specific to workers in specialty occupations that require a degree in the applicant's field of study. It is valid for an initial duration of three years and can be renewed for another three years, but it cannot be extended beyond six years.
After completing OPT, students have several options. They can return to their home country, apply for a different type of visa, or continue their education in the United States. They may choose to apply for an H-1B visa or another type of visa, such as the EB-2 or EB-3 visa, which can lead to a green card or citizenship. It is important for international students to understand the specific post-graduation visa policies and plan their next steps effectively.
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H-1B visa
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are generally permitted to stay in the country for 60 days following their graduation date. However, there are several ways to extend this period, including the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work in the US after graduation and gain practical experience. Students with F-1 visas may apply for 12 months of OPT after each level of education completed. For instance, after earning a bachelor's degree, students can apply for 12 months of OPT and then another 12 months after completing their master's degree. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduates can extend their OPT by 17 months (for a total of 29 months).
Another option for extending one's stay in the US after graduation is the H-1B visa, a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ graduate-level workers in certain "specialty" occupations that require technical or theoretical expertise (such as science, engineering, and IT). The H-1B visa allows for an initial stay of up to three years in the US, which may be extended up to a maximum of six years. After this period, the visa holder must either leave the US or reapply. It is important to note that the H-1B visa has an annual cap of 65,000 visas, with an additional 20,000 visas available for individuals with a master's degree or higher from a US institution.
To apply for an H-1B visa, the prospective employer must first submit a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The employer must also obtain a certification of a Labour Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor (DOL). Once these steps are completed, the prospective employee can apply for the H-1B visa through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It is important to note that the H-1B visa application process can be competitive due to the visa cap, and applications should be submitted as early as possible.
The H-1B visa is a popular option for international students seeking to extend their stay in the US after graduation. It provides an opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience in their field of study and build connections with employers who may be able to sponsor them for an employment-based visa. By utilizing the OPT program and then transitioning to an H-1B visa, international students can significantly extend their stay in the US and pursue career opportunities in their field of study.
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Green card
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically only allowed to remain in the country for 60 days after graduation. However, there are several options for extending one's stay, which can eventually lead to permanent residency or a green card.
One option is to apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension to your F-1 visa, which allows you to stay in the US legally and gain work experience. OPT can be authorized for up to 12 months and can be done part-time or full-time in fields directly related to your major area of study. A STEM OPT extension can further extend your stay, and in this time, you can build connections with employers who may be able to sponsor you for an employment-based visa, such as the H-1B visa.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ graduates in "`specialty occupations'" that require a degree in your field of study. This visa can be valid for up to three years, with the possibility of extension up to six years. While the H-1B visa process is shorter than that of a green card, it is harder to obtain due to the visa cap.
Another option is to seek employer sponsorship for an employment-based green card, such as the EB-2 or EB-3 visas. The EB-2 visa requires five years of work experience in the US, while the EB-3 visa requires at least two years. Alternatively, you can "self-petition" for a green card, though this process is generally lengthy and challenging.
Additionally, serving in the US military can provide an accelerated path to citizenship, as you can skip the five years of required residency. However, this option may not guarantee a green card status and may not be available in the future.
Lastly, you can take your chances with the Green Card Lottery or explore other visa options, such as the E-2 and EB-5 visas, which can potentially lead to permanent residency.
In summary, while there are various pathways to extend an international student's stay in the US after graduation, each option has its own requirements, limitations, and processing times. It is important to carefully navigate the complex US immigration system and seek guidance from relevant sources to determine the best course of action for your specific circumstances.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to stay for 60 days following their graduation date.
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training. It is a program that allows international students to work in the US after graduation and gain practical experience. OPT allows students to stay in the US for one year after graduation.
While OPT allows students to stay in the US for one year, students with STEM degrees can apply for a STEM OPT extension and stay for an additional 17 or 24 months.
You can apply for an H-1B visa, also called the Person in Specialty Occupation Visa. You must have a bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. degree and prove that your degree correlates with the work.
You can apply for a green card, which allows you to live and work in the US indefinitely. However, the wait times for green cards can be very long. An alternative is to get an employer to sponsor you for an employment-based visa or green card.
