International Students: Post-Graduation Stay Options In The Us

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are only permitted to stay in the country for 60 days following their graduation date. However, there are several options to extend one's stay, ranging from post-completion OPT, STEM OPT extension, H-1B Visa, and Green Card.

F-1 visa status and OPT

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are usually only permitted to stay in the country for 60 days following their graduation date. However, there are several options for extending one's stay in the US and transferring one's F-1 visa status into legal residency. One such option is 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 completing a bachelor's degree, students can apply for 12 months of OPT and then for another 12 months after completing a master's degree.

There are two types of OPT: pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT. To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, you must have been lawfully enrolled full-time for one academic year at a college or university certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. If authorized, you may work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session. Post-completion OPT, on the other hand, requires you to work part-time (at least 20 hours per week) or full-time.

It is important to note that OPT is limited to one occurrence per degree, and your employment must be related to your field of study. Additionally, you must submit work authorization forms to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to be deemed eligible for the program. While on OPT, you are allowed to stay in the US for 90 days without employment, and your 12-month work period begins on the start date you choose on your application.

For Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduates, there is the option to extend the OPT period by 17 months, totaling 29 months. If an employer files an eligible H-1B petition to change the student's status, SEVIS will automatically extend the OPT or the 24-month STEM extension. This is known as the cap-gap extension and can help bridge the gap between the end of F-1 status and the start of H-1B status.

The OPT program provides an opportunity for international students to gain valuable work experience, build connections, and enhance their résumés. It is a stepping stone towards permanent residency or citizenship, as it allows students to create invaluable connections in their industries that can help with sponsorship down the line.

H-1B visa status

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the US government. It is a Speciality Occupation work authorisation visa that allows foreign nationals to live and work in the US for a specific duration. The H-1B visa is specific to workers in specialty occupations that require someone with a degree in the applicant's field of study. Eligible applicants should have a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree.

The H-1B visa has an initial validity of three years, which can be extended for up to six years in total. The extension is granted in increments of up to three years at a time. To be eligible for an extension, applicants must file Form I-126 through a petitioner, either their current or new employer. The H-1B visa status is employer-specific and employer-dependent, and any changes in employment conditions must be reported in advance.

The H-1B visa status can be tracked online or by phone using the unique 13-character receipt number provided after filing the petition. The status refers to the current progress of an applicant's petition, indicating approval, denial, or pending. The processing time for H-1B petitions can vary from several months to over a year, depending on factors such as complexity and the workload of the USCIS.

International students on an F-1 visa can apply for H-1B status after completing their studies. They can either apply directly for the H-1B visa or go through an interim OPT phase before applying for H-1B status. The OPT (Optional Practical Training) program allows international students to gain practical work experience in their field of study for up to 12 months after each level of education completed.

Green card

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically only permitted to stay in the country for 60 days following their graduation date. However, there are several options to extend one's stay, which can eventually lead to a green card or citizenship.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is a program that allows international students on an F-1 visa to work in their field of study in the US for up to 12 months after graduation. This can be extended to 29 months for graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. OPT provides a way to gain practical work experience and build connections with employers who may be willing to sponsor one's employment visa later on.

H-1B Visa

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa for workers in specialty occupations that require someone with a degree in the applicant's field of study. It allows the holder to live and work in the US for up to six years. To be eligible, applicants must have a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree, and their employer must sponsor them, telling USCIS that they are needed to fill a specific job role.

A green card is for immigrants who wish to live permanently in the United States. While one can apply for a green card at any time, including right after completing one's studies, the wait times can be very long. There are several ways to obtain a green card, including:

• Employment-based green card: An individual can apply for an EB-2 or EB-3 visa after working in the US for five years. The EB-2 visa is a second-preference employment-based visa for individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in their field. The EB-3 visa is a third-preference visa for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers with at least two years of experience in their job.
• Military service: International students may be able to live in the US after graduating by choosing to work for the military.
• Green Card Lottery: There is an option to try one's luck with the Green Card Lottery.
• Sponsorship: A green card can be obtained through sponsorship by relatives who are business owners or by participating in US military services.

Internships and job search

As an international student in the US, you can take certain steps to extend your stay beyond the typical 60-day grace period after graduation. One way to do this is by pursuing internships and jobs, which can be facilitated through various visa pathways. Here is some information about internships and job searches, as well as the associated visa options:

Internships:

Internships can be a great way to gain experience and build connections with potential employers. As an F-1 student visa holder, you are allowed to take up unpaid internships while studying. This work experience can enhance your employability and make you a more attractive candidate for employers who may be willing to sponsor your visa after graduation.

Job Search:

It is important to start your job search early, even before you graduate. University career centres and international student counsellors can provide guidance and resources to help you navigate the job market. Networking is crucial, as over 80% of job offers in the US come through personal connections. Attend career fairs, forums, and events to meet potential employers and expand your network.

Visa Options:

Optional Practical Training (OPT):

OPT allows international students on an F-1 visa to work in the US for up to 12 months after each level of education completed (bachelor's, master's, etc.). STEM graduates may be eligible for an additional 17-24 months, totalling up to 29 months of stay. OPT provides valuable work experience and helps build connections with employers who may be willing to sponsor you for an H-1B visa.

H-1B Visa:

The H-1B non-immigrant visa is for workers in specialty occupations that require a degree in your field of study. It allows you to live and work in the US for up to six years and can be a pathway to permanent residency. To be eligible, you must have a sponsoring employer who can demonstrate that you are uniquely qualified for the position due to your field of study.

Green Card:

A green card is the ultimate goal for many immigrants, as it offers permanent residency and the ability to work anywhere in the US. While it can take years to obtain, there are employment-based green cards like the EB-2 and EB-3 visas that you may be eligible for with employer sponsorship.

Remember, planning ahead and starting your job search early will increase your chances of successfully extending your stay in the US after graduation.

EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based visa

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically allowed to stay in the country for 60 days after their graduation. However, there are several options to extend this period and, in some cases, transition to permanent residency.

One option is to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows international students to gain practical experience in their field of study. OPT can be undertaken for 12 months after each level of education completed, and STEM graduates can extend their program by 17 months (for a total of 29 months). During this time, participants are treated as F-1 status holders and do not need a new visa. OPT can help students build connections with employers who may be willing to sponsor them for an employment-based visa, such as the H-1B visa.

Another option is to transition directly from an F-1 visa to an H-1B visa with the help of a sponsoring US employer. The H-1B status allows international students to live and work in the US for up to six years and does not require an interim OPT phase. To be eligible, applicants must prove that they are uniquely qualified for the position due to their field of study.

For those seeking permanent residency, or a "green card," there are several options for employment-based immigration visas, including the EB-2 and EB-3 visas. The EB-2 visa is for "aliens who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or who have exceptional ability," including specific occupations referred to as Schedule A occupations. The EB-3 visa is for "skilled workers, professionals, or other workers," defined as those capable of performing skilled or unskilled labor requiring at least two years of training or experience. For both EB-2 and EB-3 visas, applicants must meet certain requirements, such as properly filing Form I-485 and having an immigrant visa immediately available to them.

Frequently asked questions