Work After Study in USA

Work After Study in USA - Most of the study abroad aspirants have immigration in mind when they apply to a foreign university. While some countries have stringent rules that provide least chances for the students to stay back after completing the course, a few have visa policies that help the international students to find a job after studies. USA is one such country which allows international students to study and work in USA. The article looks into visa norms for international students who wish to work after study in USA and how they can find a job in the country after completing higher studies.

This Story also Contains

1. Work and Study in USA for international students
2. Post study work visa USA
3. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
4. Post study work visa in USA - Major requirements
5. OPT application process
6. OPT extension
7. Application for OPT extension

Work and Study in USA for international students

The US student visa under which students can apply for work after study include the F-1 visa, M-1 visa and J-visa . It is mandatory for international students to have any one of these visas in order to study in USA.

Student Visa options

Post study work visa USA

Based on this, the F-1 visa is the most feasible option if you wish to work after study in USA because it allows you a longer stay back period and you can take up post study work visa in USA for a year on this visa. The F-1 visa allows you to apply for the post study work visa USA after masters or after the bachelors through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

The OPT established by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) allows international students to stay back in the US after completing the course. There are two types of OPT, a pre-completion OPT and a post-completion OPT. A pre-completion OPT allows you to work before you complete the course while a post-completion OPT allows you to work after you complete the course.

Pre-completion OPT: You can apply for pre-completion OPT after receiving full-time enrollment at a U.S. university that has been certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. The duration of the course must be at least 12 months. With due authorization you can work part-time up to 20 hours per week during the course. It is possible to work full time during the holidays.

Post-completion OPT: Once you have completed your studies, you can apply for an OPT. OPT allows the students to work for 12 months in total after completing the course in the USA. The students can apply for OPT nine months after starting their course.

However, the students cannot start working till they receive Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. The students can start working only after completing one year of studies. It is not compulsory that the students need a job offer while applying for OPT EAD. The OPT allows the students to work anywhere in the USA. The students must start the application process for OPT EAD early (as soon as completing first nine months in the US university). The OPT takes 90 days to process the application. The students have to work closely with the International Student’s Office during the processing of the OPT EAD to avoid delays and problems.

Post study work visa in USA - Major requirements

• The candidate must have a lawful F-1 visa (student visa) to undertake studies in a US university

• The candidate’s employment must be related to his course of study

• The candidate must apply for OPT before the completion of all work (research papers etc.) towards the course he/she is studying

• You must find a job within 90 days of completing your graduation

• The working hours after receiving OPT is 40 hours per week after completing the course

• The student must complete the OPT within 14 months after completing the course

• If the student is leaving the country after completing the course and before receiving the EAD and getting a job, he/she is not permitted in the country

• If the student leaves the country after completing the course, receiving the EAD and getting a job, he/she can re-enter the country by carrying a valid passport, F-1 visa and valid EAD card

OPT application process

To work after study in USA, the candidate can proceed for the OPT application process. The first step for the USA post study work visa, is to have your university's Designated School Officer (DSO) recommend your case for OPT. The DSO is the person who supports and manages the status of international students. To be nominated, you must pass the accreditation process at your university. This includes submitting an OPT I-20 application form to the Office of International Services. This form can be downloaded from the university website.

OPT extension

Students can apply for an OPT extension if they have a degree in STEM courses from a university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and accredited by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Students with a F-1 visa who belong to a non-STEM program and want to extend their OPT after graduation can use their past degrees from the US school of higher education to apply for an extension.

Work opportunities in other countries:

Application for OPT extension

Candidates can even extend their time duration of work after study in USA through OPT extension. For STEM degrees, OPT may be requested after the DSO has entered the OPT recommendations into his SEVIS record. Applications can be submitted up to 3 months (90 days) before the end of the academic year.

After the DSO has entered the OPT recommendations into his SEVIS record, the post-completion OPT can be requested for the STEM degree. You must also apply within 30 days of entering your information. Applications can be made no later than 90 days before completing your studies and no later than 60 days after completing your studies.

For STEM-OPT renewals, the application must be submitted after the DSO has entered the OPT recommendations into his SEVIS record. At the same time, he must submit the application within 60 days of entering the information. Additionally, he can apply up to 90 days before the current OPT employment authorization expires.

For non-STEM degrees, OPT may be requested after the DSO has entered his OPT recommendations into his SEVIS record. Applications can be submitted up to 3 months (90 days) before the end of the academic year.

For OPT extension for non-STEM degrees, after the DSO has entered his OPT recommendations into the SEVIS record, you must apply within 30 days of entering your information. The application can be made 90 days before completion of studies and at the latest within 60 days after completion of studies.