Lori Meadows
International students have a limited time to find a job after graduation. In the US, international students with an F-1 visa have 60 days to either enrol in another college programme or find employment through an OPT (Optional Practical Training) programme, which allows them to work, train or intern in their field of study for up to 12 months. It is advisable for international students to start their job search early, ideally one year in advance, to understand the job market and interview process. They should also research the visa process, including which companies sponsor visas, and the requirements for obtaining a work visa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to find a job after graduation | 60 days |
| Time to start the job search process | 1 year in advance |
| Time taken to process Employment Authorization Document (EAD) | 3 months |
| Time taken to process OPT application | Several months |
| Time taken to process H-1B visa | N/A |
| Time taken to start freelancing or consulting | N/A |
| Time taken to understand the job market and interview process | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
International students have 60 days to find work or enrol in further studies
International students in the US on an F-1 visa have 60 days after graduation to either find work or enrol in further studies. This is a grace period that allows them to remain in the country while they wrap up their affairs or partake in tourism.
To find work, international students can enrol in an OPT (Optional Practical Training) program. OPT allows students to extend their F-1 visa status for a year while they work, train, or intern in their area of study. The process of applying for an OPT can take several months, so it is advisable to start the process early, even before graduation. Students can also apply for an H-1B visa, which allows them to stay employed at a company for three years. However, finding a company to sponsor an H-1B visa can be challenging, so it is recommended to start the process early and conduct thorough research.
Students can also seek employment with a "recognized international organization" such as the Red Cross, African and Asian Development Banks, or the World Health Organization. To qualify for this type of employment, students must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Obtaining an EAD can take up to three months, and students cannot start working until they have received it.
International students are advised to start their job search early, even before graduation. They can seek guidance from their university's career centre advisors, who can provide information on resources and assistance available to international students. Additionally, students should be aware of the visa process, their possibilities, deadlines, and costs to feel more prepared and confident when applying for jobs.
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Visa requirements and deadlines
International students in the UK are usually allowed to work part-time if they are full-time university students with a valid sponsor. The number of hours they can work depends on their sponsor and course type. Full-time students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time during vacations and work placements.
There are certain jobs that international students are prevented from doing in the UK. These include working as a doctor, dentist, sportsperson, or sports coach, unless required as an integral part of their degree course. Students also cannot engage in business on a student visa, including setting up a business or being hired by a company where they own 10% or more of the shares.
International students who want to work in the UK after graduation have two main options. Firstly, they can apply directly for a long-term work visa, such as the Skilled Worker Visa. This requires them to have a job in an eligible occupation with an employer who is a licensed sponsor. The other option is to apply for the Graduate Route, which provides two to three years of work rights in any job. After this period, they can remain in the UK if they can find a job that qualifies for the Skilled Worker Route or another long-term work visa. The Graduate Route is available to international students who have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance.
Students can apply for a Student Visa if they are 16 or over and want to study further or higher education in the UK. The earliest they can apply for a visa is 6 months before their course starts, and they usually get a decision within 3 weeks. The visa fee is £524, and applicants usually get a decision within 8 weeks. How long students can stay depends on the length of their course and what study they have already completed in the UK. If the course is at degree level, students can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years, and if it is below degree level, they can stay for up to 2 years.
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Companies that sponsor visas
International students on an F-1 visa have 60 days after graduation to either enroll in another college program or enroll in an OPT (Optional Practical Training) program to gain employment. The OPT program allows you to extend your F-1 visa status for a year while you work, train, or intern in your area of study. However, if you wish to stay in the US for a longer period, you will need a company to sponsor you for an H-1B non-immigrant visa, which will allow you to remain employed at that company for three years.
Finding a company that will sponsor your H-1B visa can be challenging, so it is recommended to start the process early and conduct thorough research. Here are some companies that have sponsored H-1B visas in the past:
- Apple: Apple has demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace by actively hiring international employees. In 2023, they secured 2,956 H-1B visas.
- Deloitte: With a global presence in over 150 countries and a workforce of over 457,000 employees, Deloitte is always open to diverse talent. In 2023, they sponsored 2,160 H-1B visas.
- Google: Google has a strong global presence with employees on six continents and has been focusing on diversity initiatives. In recent years, they have sponsored numerous H-1B work visas, with 4,043 visas in 2023.
- Infosys: Infosys is a digital services and IT consulting giant with over 345,000 employees worldwide. They have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and received approval for 8,140 H-1B visas in 2024 and 4,699 visas in 2023.
- Cognizant: Cognizant is a digital solutions provider with a significant international presence, employing over 340,000 people globally. They have a history of sponsoring H-1B visas, with 6,321 approvals in 2024.
- Intel: As an epicenter of international tech talent, Intel received approval for 2,520 H-1B visas in 2024.
- Ernst & Young (EY): EY is a global consulting firm offering a range of services, including tax guidance, legal expertise, and workforce solutions. They have been recognized for their commitment to diversity and inclusion and received approval for 2,070 H-1B visas in 2024.
- Tech Mahindra Americas: This company describes itself as "intentionally diverse and globally inclusive" and emphasizes initiatives supporting women and LGBTQ+ employees.
- Wipro: Wipro is an India-based company with US headquarters in Seattle, providing global IT, consulting, and business process services. They have a worldwide presence in 65 countries and received approval for 1,634 H-1B visas in 2024.
- Oracle: Oracle is a well-known cloud technology provider with an international employee base exceeding 160,000. They host a range of diversity and inclusion initiatives and sponsor H-1B visas, with 2,070 approvals in 2024.
Remember to research companies that sponsor visas, understand the different visa types, and stay informed about the requirements and processes. Additionally, consider utilizing job hunting websites specifically for international students.
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On-campus employment
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week during breaks, holidays, and vacation periods. On-campus employment is the category most freely permitted by USCIS regulations, and it does not require USCIS approval. However, on-campus job opportunities are limited, and students may not rely on them as a source of income throughout the year.
F-1 students can work on-campus in their first year, with no waiting period, unlike off-campus work. They may even be able to start working up to 30 days before the official start date of their program. However, some schools may not permit such employment in a student's first semester or year, so it is important to check with your school's international student services office.
On-campus jobs can be for a university employer at the school or at a school-affiliated off-campus location, such as a research lab, bookstore, cafeteria, or sports stadium. The work must directly provide services for students. For example, a construction job on campus would not qualify as on-campus employment.
International students should be eligible for all on-campus jobs unless the job posting specifically states otherwise. However, they do not qualify for federal work-study jobs as they are not eligible for federal financial aid. Some universities offer institutionally-funded work-study programs for qualifying international students.
To find on-campus jobs, students can check their college's online job board or physical job board in a central location on campus, if available. They can also visit their college's career centre for help with their resume and to find out about jobs they qualify for.
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Start the job search early
International students in the US are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after their degree. However, they must obtain work authorization first, which can take up to 3 months. Additionally, international students have only 60 days after graduation to either enrol in another college programme or enrol in an OPT programme to gain employment. Therefore, it is advisable for international students to start the job search process in advance.
The ideal time to start the job search process is at least one year in advance. This allows students enough time to understand the job market and interview process. It can also take some time to receive the necessary documents to start working. For instance, it can take up to 12 weeks or longer to receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and students cannot start work until they receive it. Moreover, the USCIS can take up to 90 days to process an OPT application.
Students can begin the job search by talking to their university's career centre advisors, who can guide them on the resources and assistance available to international students. They can also research companies that actively hire international students and keep an eye out for job openings. Students should also be aware of the visa process and their different possibilities, deadlines, and costs. This includes researching which companies sponsor visas, what is needed to get authorization, and how long the process takes.
While it is good to be focused on a particular domain, students should not limit themselves and should explore other job areas in their domain. They can also keep multiple job options open to get multiple responses within a limited time frame. Additionally, students can update their resumes and make job applications at the end of December to quickly grab employers' attention in January.
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Frequently asked questions
International students have 60 days after graduation to either enroll in another college program or enroll in an OPT (Optional Practical Training) program to gain employment.
OPT allows students to extend their F-1 visa status for a year while they work, train, or intern in their area of study.
You need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). You can start working only after you receive your EAD, which can take up to 3 months.
It is advisable to start the job search process at least a year in advance. This will give you enough time to understand the job market and the interview process.
It is important to know about the visa process, your possibilities, deadlines, and costs. Research which companies sponsor visas and what you need to do to get authorization.
