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Navigating the complex landscape of US immigration can be daunting, especially for international students eager to stay and work in the country after graduation. Several visa options are available, each with its eligibility criteria and processes. As you read this blog, you will get to understand all the visa options available, the application process to apply for a post-study work visa and other work visa options, so make sure you keep reading to get all the information you need.
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Visa Options in the US After Graduation
Once you have completed your US studies, you can convert your student visa (F1 visa) to a US post-study work visa. With this visa’s help, you can stay in the country and gain work experience for a limited time. Visa options in the US for students after graduation can be divided into two categories: Post-study work visa and US work visa. Let’s understand both of them in detail.
Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide to Types of US Visas
Post-Study Work Visa in USA
A post-study work visa in the US is offered to students after completing their US educational degree. With the help of this visa, one can stay for a specific period in the US apply for jobs related to their field of study and get hands-on work experience.
Eligibility Criteria for Post-Study Work Visa in USA
To be eligible for a post-study work visa in the United States, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have either of the F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa
- Must be enrolled at a US educational institution for at least one academic year.
- Not have been a part of the 12-month full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) program.
- Have no criminal record in the USA.
- Be eligible for an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD)
- Find an employer registered under E-verify.
- Finally, students should not be enrolled in English as a Second Language courses.
Obtaining this post-study work visa in the US, allows one to fulfil their career goals while offering key immigration benefits and opportunities.
Types of Post-Study Work Visa in USA
After the student has completed his/her education in a US educational institution, they can enrol in these three types of off-campus employment.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a training program for F1 visa students that provides them with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience essential when planning their careers. However, one must note that the CPT program must be completed before the student graduates or finishes the program.
To be eligible for the CPT program, one must ensure that their training relates to their major, your Designated School Official (DSO) authorises your CPT in SEVIS and updates your official I-20 form.
The next step that will come is the CPT visa which the student can apply for as they are already a part of the F1 visa. With the help of the CPT visa, you will be able to gain experience in a particular field and help the student /employer learn about the practical knowledge within the course.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
A short work visa known as Optional Practical Training (OPT) enables F-1 international students to obtain real-world experience in their field of study. Keep in mind that it may take up to 90 days for USCIS to process your application, so be sure to apply as soon as possible.
To be eligible for the OPT, one must keep the following points in mind:
- OPT work must be either full-time (40 hours per week) or part-time (at least 20 hours per week).
- After earning your degree, you have 14 months to finish OPT.
- Before completing your degree, USCIS must receive your post-completion OPT applications.
To apply for the OPT program, you must follow these steps:
- You must request your designated school official (DSO) at your academic institution to recommend the OPT. He/she will then make the recommendation by endorsing your Form I‑20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- Next, you must fill out the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorisation with USCIS, pay the fee and submit the same along with the supporting documents.
You must visit the official website to get detailed information on Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)
For students who earn a qualifying degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, TEM OPT is equivalent to OPT. Up to 24 months (36 months total) can be added to STEM OPT. Additionally, the STEM OPT visa category is F-1.
You can visit the official website to find detailed information on this.
Also Read: CPT vs OPT For International Students
How to Apply for a Post-Study Work Visa in USA?
You can take the following actions to apply for a post-study employment visa in the United States:
- Get the University’s support: Obtain a recommendation for Optional Practical Training (OPT) from the Designated School Official (DSO) at your university. The OPT I-20 request form is available for download on the website of your university.
- Complete Form I-765, the Application for Employment Authorisation. You’ll also need to sign your I-20 form.
- Submit supporting documents such as I-20 form such as: I-94 form, Passport, Visa and Photos.
- Pay the application fee for Form I-765 which is USD 410.
- An Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) will be issued to you upon approval of your application. During your OPT period, you can work in the United States with this card.
Processing Time for Post-Study Work Visa in US
Depending on the kind of visa, the processing period for a post-study work visa in the US varies:
- OPT: OPT applications are typically processed by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in 90 days.
- EAD: It may take up to 12 weeks or more to process an employment authorisation document (EAD).
US Post-Study Work Visa Duration
The type of visa and the student’s topic of study determine how long a post-study work visa in the US lasts. Here is the duration of the post-study work visa.
| Visa | Duration |
| OPT | Up to a year following graduation in their field of study |
| STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) | Eligible to extend their OPT for a further 24 months, making the duration a total of 36 months. |
| Non-STEM students | Can ask for an OPT extension if they have a previous degree from a SEVP-certified institution in the US. |
Benefits of Post-Study Work Visa
A post-study work visa provides the student with a wealth of benefits. With the help of this visa, the student will receive help in finding suitable work placements to gain experience in their chosen career field. Not only this, they will also be able to obtain legal work status and access to valuable resources, including employment and education opportunities.
Here are some of the benefits of obtaining a post-study work visa in the US.
- Practical Experience: Programs like CPT and OPT allow students to gain practical work experience in their field of study, enhancing their knowledge and skills.
- Networking Opportunities: Working in the US gives international students the chance to connect with industry professionals and secure their future.
- Employment Flexibility: Students can work for any employer in their field of study, providing a versatile job search experience.
- Pathway to H-1B Visa: Gaining work experience through OPT can improve a student’s chances of securing an H-1B visa, a common work visa for professionals.
- Potential for Permanent Residency: Gaining work experience in the US can increase eligibility for various immigration pathways, including employment-based green cards.
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Work Visa Options in USA
Here are some of the US work visa options available to the students which include:
| H visas | J exchange visa | Green Card |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) | H1B visa | L-1 intracompany transfer visa |
| E-1/e-2 treaty trader and investor | Employment-based immigration | H-1b specialty occupations |
| I visas | Immigrant work visas | J-1 visa waivers |
Finally, there is also a TN visa which is accessible to only Canadian and Mexican citizens qualified for full-time employment as professionals in an eligible field.
Explore blogs Visa blogs from USA here!
FAQs
A person who has been offered a temporary professional position by a U.S. firm is eligible for H-1B status. The minimum educational level needed for a position to be eligible for H-1B status is a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field, and the H-1B employee must possess this degree.
There are three sorts of student visas available from the US government: F, J, and M. You must first apply for and be accepted by a U.S. university that participates in the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) before you may apply for an F, J, or M student visa.
The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program is the simplest way to obtain permanent residence after earning your master’s degree in the United States. This increases your chances of gaining permanent residency and gives you vital experience by allowing you to work in your field for up to 12 months after graduation.
The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college or university.
To be eligible for the PR in the US, one must be a foreign citizen and have a low immigration rate. He or she needs to have completed high school or an equivalent course of study. If a person has the necessary work experience, they will also be eligible. Demonstrate their ability to pay for their own and their family’s stay in the United States.
An international student who goes on an F-1 visa can stay in the US for up to 60 days after they have completed their graduation.
Yes, international students can work in the United States after graduation. However, the student will have to apply for either of the authorisations to be eligible for work in the US: Optional Practical Training (OPT), H-1B Visa, Green card, or O-1A visa. Additionally, International students can also work in the US while they are still in school through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Severe Economic Hardship.
According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), most of the students who go on an F1 visa transition into the US labour market. The researchers found that about 23 per cent of international students who earn master’s degrees and 12 per cent of those who earn bachelor’s degrees find a within-state job post-graduation.
We hope this blog on ‘Visa options in the US after graduation’ was informative and helped you navigate study in USA options. For more information on study abroad opportunities, follow Leverage Edu now!!
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