Douglas Olsen
International students on an F-1 visa are typically allowed to stay in the US for up to 60 days after graduation. However, there are ways to extend this period, such as through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows students to gain practical experience in their field of study. The OPT program permits students to stay in the US for up to 12 months, with STEM graduates being eligible for a 24-month extension. Another option is to apply for an H-1B visa, which is specific to workers in specialty occupations and allows individuals to live and work in the US for up to six years. For those seeking permanent residency, acquiring a green card is an option, although it may take several years due to high demand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| F-1 visa expiry | Expires when no longer enrolled in college |
| F-1 visa extension | Can stay for up to 60 days after finishing the program |
| OPT extension | Can stay for 12 months after graduation |
| OPT extension for STEM graduates | Can stay for 24 months after graduation |
| H-1B visa | Allows international students to work for 3 years, extendable by 3 more years |
| Green card | Can be applied for at any time, but takes many years to obtain |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 visa extensions
International students with an F-1 visa are allowed to stay in the US for up to 60 days after completing their academic program. However, there are ways to extend an F-1 visa to stay in the US legally after graduation.
An F-1 visa is given to international students enrolled in an academic program or English Language Program at a US university or college. F-1 students must sustain a full-time course load and complete their studies by the termination date on their I-20 form.
There are several ways to extend an F-1 visa:
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT is a program that 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 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). OPT participants are treated as F-1 status holders and do not need a new visa.
- STEM OPT Extension: An extension to the standard OPT program, this allows STEM graduates to extend their OPT and stay in the US legally.
- Change to H-1B Visa: Students can change their visa status to H-1B by applying for an interim OPT phase before H-1B or directly from F-1. The H-1B visa, or Person in Specialty Occupation Visa, requires acceptance to a specific job position that correlates with the degree obtained.
- Academic, Medical, or Administrative Reasons: Students may need to extend their F-1 status for academic reasons, medical reasons, or due to a designated school official (DSO) error. In these cases, DSOs can extend a student's program of study prior to the program end date in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which allows for an extension period of up to one year.
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OPT and STEM OPT extensions
International students with an F-1 visa can apply for an Optional Practical Training OPT extension to stay in the US after graduation. OPT is a program that allows international students to gain practical experience by working in the US after graduation. 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 their master's degree.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduates have the option to extend their OPT by 17 months (for a total of 29 months) or 24 months (for a total of 36 months) through the STEM OPT extension. 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 SEVP-certified school accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency.
Additionally, the student must pursue their practical training through an employer enrolled in USCIS' E-Verify program. The employer must guarantee that the student will work a minimum of 20 hours per week and provide formal training relating to their qualifying STEM degree. The student and employer must complete Form I-983, which includes how the training opportunity relates to the student's degree.
Students may participate in the STEM OPT extension program twice over their academic career. The student must also maintain their F-1 status and ensure their 12-month OPT information is up-to-date. They can request a STEM OPT extension up to 90 days before their current OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card expires, and the application must be received before the expiration date.
Upon receiving a receipt for their STEM OPT Extension application, students are automatically granted a 6-month extension and can continue working while their application is pending. If the OPT period expires while the extension application is pending, USCIS will automatically extend the student's employment authorization for 180 days.
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H-1B visa
International students with an F-1 visa must leave the US within 60 days of completing their academic program. However, they can apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension to stay in the US legally after graduating. With OPT, students can work and train in the US for up to 12 months, and STEM graduates can extend their stay by an additional 17 months, totalling 29 months.
After completing their OPT, international students can apply for an H-1B visa, also called the Person in Specialty Occupation Visa. This visa allows an initial three-year stay in the US, which may be extended to a maximum of six years. To be eligible for an H-1B visa, individuals must have been accepted into a specific job position that meets certain requirements: possession of an advanced education degree (a four-year BA degree or MA or PhD) and a correlation between their degree and work.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. The visa is valid for three years and can be extended in three-year increments until a final decision is made to revoke approval or approve or deny an application for an immigrant visa or application to adjust status to lawful permanent residence. The number of H-1B visas issued each fiscal year is capped at 65,000, 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 employer/agent must first apply for and receive certification of a Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor (DOL). The employer/agent must then submit a completed Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Finally, prospective workers outside the US must apply for visa and/or admission by providing valid passport information or valid travel document information.
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Green card
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically permitted to stay in the country for 60 days after graduation. However, there are several ways to extend your stay, which can eventually lead to a green card or citizenship.
OPT Extension
Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension or STEM OPT extension to your F-1 visa can allow you to stay in the US legally after you graduate. You can apply for an OPT extension if you are eligible due to your field of study, such as STEM. The OPT application requires a filing fee and a biometric fee, and many students receive approval within 90 to 120 days. While the OPT may only allow you to stay in the US for a year after graduation, it can help you create valuable connections in your industry that can aid in sponsorship down the line.
H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa is a way to extend your stay in the US as it authorises you to live and work in the country for up to six years. It is typically granted for three years initially and can be extended for another three years. During this time, you can work towards an employer-sponsored green card.
Employer-Sponsored Green Card
After graduating, you can apply for an employment-based green card with an EB-2 or EB-3 visa. You become eligible for the EB-2 visa after working in the US for five years. The EB-3 visa is for skilled workers with at least two years of experience in their job. If you can prove your value to your US employer, they may sponsor your green card petition.
Family Sponsorship
If you have an immediate family member living in the US who is eligible to sponsor you, this is another effective way to obtain permanent residence. Similarly, you could apply for a fiancé visa if you plan to marry a US citizen and then apply for a green card after getting married.
Military Service
Military service can provide an accelerated path to citizenship as it allows you to skip the five years of required residency in the US. However, this option may not be available in the future, and the military cannot assist in the path to citizenship.
B-1/B-2 Visa
A B-1/B-2 visa holder can apply for a green card and will be granted a maximum of 180 days in the US with multiple entries. However, you must prove that your travel is temporary, and you can self-fund the trip.
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J-1 visa extensions
The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. The duration of a J-1 visa depends on the program chosen. For instance, a Camp Counselor program is likely to be valid for four months during the summer, while a Research Scholar or Au Pair program may require a J-1 visa that is legitimate for several years.
- Before making an extension request, review the Yale policies and criteria with your department and the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) to ensure you are eligible for an extension.
- Initiate your request through your department, who will make the formal request to OISS through OISS Connect.
- OISS will prepare a new Form DS-2019 reflecting the extended period.
- The extension process, including obtaining a new DS-2019, must be completed before the end date noted on your current DS-2019 form.
- When extending your J-1 stay, you must also extend your health insurance coverage.
- If your stay is not supported by Yale funding, you will need to provide OISS with proof of funds.
- A non-refundable fee of $367 is payable to the U.S. Department of State.
- If the Department grants the request, the responsible officer issues a new Form DS-2019 that reflects the change.
- If the request is denied, you are expected to return home no later than 30 days from the date of the Department's notice or the program's end date, whichever is later.
It is important to note that J-1 visa holders must return to their home country and live there for at least two years after their program ends. This requirement can be waived in emergencies or specific circumstances related to returning to their homeland.
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Frequently asked questions
International students with an F-1 visa are permitted to stay in the US for up to 60 days after completing their Masters.
One way to extend your stay in the US is by applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows international students to work and train in the US for up to 12 months.
OPT allows international students to stay in the US for up to 12 months. Students with STEM-related degrees can request an additional 24 months, totalling 29 months of stay.
Yes, you can apply for an H-1B visa, which is specific to workers in specialty occupations. The H-1B visa allows international students to work for 3 years and can be extended for another 3 years.
Acquiring a green card is a long-term option that allows individuals to work anywhere in the US, receive financial benefits, and live indefinitely. However, green cards are in high demand and may take many years to obtain.
