Study in United States of America

Can foreign students work in the United States once they graduate? Yes! How long may overseas students remain in the United States once they graduate? It is conditional. Although your F-1 visa will expire once you are no longer enrolled in college, there are methods for recent graduates to remain in the United States to finish an internship or obtain real-world employment experience. A STEM OPT extension or Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension to your F-1 visa may enable you to remain in the US lawfully after you graduate.

You may have several queries, such as “how long can I remain in the United States after graduation?” “Can an F-1 student get an international student visa after they graduate?” and much more There are several requirements that overseas students must observe when working in the United States, and these rules may seem difficult at first. Obtaining the proper F-1 visa after graduation, on the other hand, might be beneficial.

Continue reading to learn about your F-1 visa possibilities, OPT extensions, and other ways to prolong your foreign student visa beyond graduation.

How to Legally Remain in the United States After Graduation

An OPT extension is one option for students to continue in the United States after graduating on an international student visa. The post-completion OPT permits recent graduates to work in the United States for up to a year.

Many overseas students worry, “How can I apply for OPT before I graduate?” Unlike CPT, which must be completed while you are still enrolled at your college or university, OPT may be done before or after graduation. Just bear in mind that you are only qualified for a total of 12 months of practical training. As a result, if you used up all of your OPT or CPT while still enrolled, you will be ineligible for this sort of F-1 visa extension. However, if you enroll in graduate school, you will regain eligibility.

STEM OPT extensions may be available to students studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). This program permits you to remain and work in the United States for a period of 24 months following completion.

Practical Training is an option (OPT)

For F-1 students, OPT is an off-campus job option that connects you with US firms where you may obtain hands-on experience in your primary area of study.

You may apply for OPT nine months after enrolling; however, your employment cannot begin until you obtain your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) directly from USCIS and have been registered for at least a year. The good news is that you don’t need a work offer to apply for an EAD, and your OPT employment may take place anywhere in the United States.

Remember to apply as soon as possible since USCIS might take up to 90 days to complete your application. Speak with your Designated School Official (DSO) to learn more about your choices for filing for OPT, how long an international student may remain in the United States after graduation, and how to obtain the information you need for your application.

The most crucial document is form I-765, which must be provided with your OPT application.

Before applying for OPT, consult with your DSO to learn about the standard OPT requirements:

• Your job should be closely connected to your major.
• You must preserve your legal F-1 status.
• You must apply for OPT before finishing all of your degree requirements.
• You may work before or after finishing your degree, or both.
• After finishing your courses, you may remain and work in the United States for up to 12 months.
• OPT post-graduation necessitates the following:
• OPT employment must be full-time (40 hours a week)
• All OPT must be completed within 14 months of receiving your degree.
• Post-graduation OPT applications must be received by USCIS prior to the completion of your degree.
• Keep in mind that there are travel restrictions for F-1 students on OPT — if you leave the country after finishing your degree but before getting your EAD and finding work, you may be denied readmission. This may have an influence on your chances of obtaining a post-graduate work visa in the United States.

You may leave after receiving your EAD and securing a job, but make sure you have all of the following paperwork with you when you return:

• Passport must be valid.
• EAD card in good standing
• F-1 visa in good standing
• Within the last six months, your international student adviser has validated all of your I-20 papers with page 3 for travel.
• Employment letter stating your dates of employment and pay

If you’re wondering, “Can foreign students work in the United States after graduation?” these OPT standards will walk you through the process of obtaining your work visa. If you file for OPT after graduation, you will be able to work and train in the United States for up to a year. Students who have completed a STEM-related degree may apply for an extra 24 months of OPT.

Here is a short list of STEM-related degrees that qualify for an OPT extension:

• The actuarial sciences
• Applications of computer science
• Engineering
• Technologies for engineering
• The life sciences
• Mathematics
• Technologies used in warfare
• Sciences of matter

Students who are granted an OPT extension may also apply for an H-1B visa. So, if you’re wondering, “How long can I remain in the United States after graduation?” this visa may be the correct decision for you.

Visa H-1B (Non-immigrant Visa)

If you have been admitted to a specialized employment post that fits the following qualifications, you may be eligible for an H-1B visa, commonly known as the Person in Specialty Occupation Visa.

Before submitting the H-1B petition with Immigration and Naturalization Services, the Department of Labor must approve a labor condition attestation (LCA). (This agreement guarantees that you will not be abused by US companies and that you will be compensated and get the same perks as your American peers.)

The H-1B visa is provided for a three-year initial duration. Because it may be extended for an additional three years, this is an excellent choice for a post-graduate employment visa in the United States. (It should be noted that it cannot be prolonged beyond six years.) To be eligible for this visa, your employer must commence the visa application procedure.

Here are a few examples of H-1B work positions:

• Architects
• Accountants
• Doctors
• IT professionals
• Lawyers
• Professors

If you want to establish a long-term career or a future in the United States, your employment is just one step in the process. Many overseas students who wish to work in the United States after graduation want to get a green card.

The Green Card

A green card allows you to work anywhere in the United States, get financial advantages, and stay in the country eternally. Green cards, on the other hand, are in great demand and may take several years to get.

Your F-1 student status is only transitory as a student, and you may be wondering, “Can foreign students work in the United States after graduation?” While the H-1B visa allows you to remain in the United States for a limited time, a green card is your first step toward permanent citizenship.

Here are five methods for an F-1 student to get a green card:

• Company sponsorship – If you get a job while studying, your employer may sponsor you by applying for an EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green card.
• Seek asylum – If returning to your home country would endanger your life, you may apply for asylum. You will need the assistance of an immigration lawyer during this procedure. The USCIS reviews these petitions on a case-by-case basis and makes unique decisions.
• Accept sponsorship from a relative who runs a company – Your relative will have to verify that you are being employed on the basis of your credentials, not only your relationship. They will also have to demonstrate that they made a good-faith attempt to recruit an American citizen and that none met the requisite criteria.
• Participate in military duty – If you have served in the military for two years, it may benefit you with your green card application.
• Accept parent or child sponsorship – If you have a parent or a kid over the age of 18 who is a lawful US citizen, they may sponsor your green card.

You have various privileges as a green card holder:

• Permanent residency rights
• The right to work
• The right to legal protection
• The right to get a driver’s license
• Right to keep and bear arms
• The freedom to travel
• The right to apply for visas for immediate family members
• The right to receive Social Security benefits

Green card holders must also obey the law, register with Select Services, pay income taxes, support the government, carry evidence of residence with them everywhere they go, notify DHS of any address changes, and maintain health insurance. Meeting these tasks is critical if you want to keep your green card.

How to Request an OPT Extension

You may be wondering, “Can I apply for OPT after graduation?” As previously said, the answer is yes. Let’s go through the methods and requirements for applying for an OPT extension.

To begin your application, your DSO must submit an OPT request via SEVIS. Then you may submit the OPT application and pay the filing cost as well as the biometric services charge. Both costs add up to $495 in total.

• The following are the steps to applying for an OPT extension:
• Request that your DSO submit an OPT request in SEVIS.
• Form I-20 must be signed (provided by your DSO)
• Fill out an Employment Authorization Application.
• Electronically or by mail, submit the form, OPT extension fee, and accompanying proof.
• Respond to any USCIS request for evidence by the deadline specified.
• Obtain your approval

To apply for OPT, you do not need to have a job or an offer of employment. If you do get a job, it must be directly related to your field of study.

How Long Does it Take to Get an OPT Extension?

Many students get permission for OPT in 80 to 120 days. Previously, approval could be expected within 90 days, but increased demand has resulted in longer processing times. From 2016 to 2018, the number of overseas students working in the United States after graduation climbed 400%. More over half of these new employees were in STEM professions.

Can I Apply for OPT Extension After My OPT Period Has Ended?

A 24-month STEM OPT extension is an addition to, not a substitute for, your post-completion OPT. Do not wait till your OPT runs out. Filing for an extension must be done no later than 90 days before the end of your normal OPT term.

STEM OPT extensions are only available to students with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a qualifying STEM area. Fields that are eligible include:

• The biological sciences
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Sciences of matter

On the STEM-designated degree program list, you may find a list of all connected subjects.

You must also have an employer that is prepared to sponsor your application. This employer must be registered with the USCIS E-Verify program for employment eligibility verification. Your company is required to provide you at least 20 hours of employment every week. They must also give learning objectives and formal training to assist you in achieving your objectives.

If you did not study in a STEM-related subject, you must depart the US before the end of the 60-day grace period for OPT extensions.

Visa B-1/B-2

When contemplating whether overseas students may work in the United States after graduation, it is critical to explore all of your alternatives. The B-1/B-2 visa is a non-immigrant, temporary visa that permits the bearer to travel to the United States for either business or tourism. Except for student travel, which is covered by F-1 visas, these visas cover almost all purposes for temporary travel.

The B-1 visa is for business travels, whereas the B-2 visa is for tourism, such as vacations and family visits. The following are some of the reasons why people travel on B visas:

• Meetings, discussions, and other forms of commercial transactions
• Attending a conference on a topic related to your job, education, or current business endeavour
• Real estate deal settlement
• Visiting relatives
• Taking a break

Attending activities such as concerts, courses, and so on, as long as no money or credit card is provided to the visa holder.

A B-1/B-2 visa holder cannot be given permanent residency, but may apply for a green card while holding this visa, which may provide another option for overseas students to work in the United States after graduation. This visa is valid for a maximum of 180 days and enables multiple entry into the United States. To be eligible for this visa, you must demonstrate that your trip is temporary and that you can self-fund the whole trip.

The process of applying for and acquiring a visa may be time-consuming and difficult, but it is important to remember that after you have gotten a visa, you must maintain your status. If you are unable to retain your visa status, you may be obliged to return to your home country, which may interfere with your future plans.

Best Practices for Retaining Your US Visa

The two most crucial things to remember in order to preserve your post-graduate work visa USA status are to properly investigate your circumstances and to be proactive. Plan ahead of time how you will collect required documentation in order to satisfy all OPT requirements. To avoid delays, fill out all forms completely and answer quickly to any requests for more information. Maintain your information and notify your DSO of any changes to your residence, contact information, or job – this information must be kept up to current in SEVIS.

Keep in mind that OPT regulations are subject to change. Staying up to speed on the newest government rules by checking DHS.gov or USCIS.gov will assist you in adhering to visa standards and maintaining your visa status on a continuous basis. If there are any aspects of the visa procedure that you are unsure about, your DSO can assist you with answering any questions you may have.

Here are some of your choices for keeping your international student visa status.

Begin the Process Early

It is important to be proactive in preserving your visa status, since there is a limited amount of time to request for extensions if required. Approval from USCIS and other immigration authorities may take up to 90 days; keep this in mind as you plan for life after graduation and make sure you submit your applications well in advance so you can stay in the US after graduation.

Furthermore, if you are unable to retain your visa status and must return to your home country, this may have an influence on your future capacity to acquire a visa.

Attend Job Fairs to Find Employment

Many foreign students worry, “Can international students work in the United States once they graduate?” Yes, with the correct visa, as we’ve discussed: studying in the US may provide you with numerous options to obtain international student job in the US after graduation.

As an international student, you may be unsure of how to get started or who to contact in order to obtain a job or internship. Career fairs provide a range of job prospects as well as the opportunity to network with people from all backgrounds. This experience teaches foreign students how to overcome cultural barriers and integrate into the organizational cultures of organizations where they want to work.

Seminars and speeches at career fairs demonstrate new abilities or allow you to polish ones you already have. You can polish your résumé, enhance your interview skills, and maximize your online job searches, among other things! And, if you make the proper impression at a career fair, you could get an interview straight away, which might take days or months with more standard job application processes.

Find Professional Mentors Through Networking

Developing and developing your professional network is an excellent approach to interact with industry professionals who can assist you in finding career possibilities in the United States. This procedure may take some time, but it will help you lay a solid basis for your job while you work toward finishing your degree.

There are several methods to connect with the proper individuals to begin your networking adventure. During your university experience, you will have the opportunity to network not just with experts in your area, but also with your fellow students and faculty members.

Here are some measures you may do while in university to begin building your professional network:

Reach out to academic advisers – Academic advisors are skilled in supporting overseas students like you and can help you identify and accomplish your educational objectives. They may direct you to the appropriate career fairs for the sort of job you wish to pursue and even link you with firms who are presently employing students.

Join groups and clubs –In the United States, several student-run organizations and clubs routinely conduct events and activities in their area of interest. This helps you to connect with other people who share your interests and establish new acquaintances who may be aware of career prospects.

Speak with others in the alumni network –Many colleges have active alumni networks. They provide their time and knowledge to help students advance their careers. Alumni may provide career advice, behind-the-scenes insights into specialized occupations, input on your CV, assistance in expanding your network, and insider information about employment or internships.

Join national professional associations – National professional associations (such as the National Association of Scholars) are organizations that promote and connect persons with similar career interests. Joining an affinity group for an area in which you wish to work may be a terrific way to uncover new career chances while also enhancing your professional abilities.

Volunteering offers vital skills and allows you to network with top professionals. Organizations such as the Peace Corps, Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, the Food Bank, and others, as well as local community groups, are all possibilities.

Set a goal of working with two to three mentors (both from school and from outside groups) who will advise you in your professional career before your last year of university. Mentors are critical to the job search process for overseas students; keeping and strengthening these ties will be beneficial when you seek for your work extension visa in the United States.

If you’re not sure where to start, contact a Shorelight adviser! Your adviser may assist you in preparing for a career in the United States by assisting you in developing a career action plan, offering resume recommendations, and directing you to professional development activities.

The process of obtaining a work placement and extending your stay in the United States may be rigorous and time consuming, but it may also enable you to pursue a long-term career in the United States. To remain on track with your personal and professional objectives, plan ahead of time, communicate with your mentors, and consult with your advisers.