Highlights: USA work visa and PR options for students with F1-visa

• International students with F-1 Visa can work in the U.S. for up to a year via the OPT program.
• STEM majors with F-1 visas can extend their OPT for two additional years.
• The four most preferred temporary work visa options for international students are H-1B, TN, E-2 & O-1A.
• EB-2 NIW & EB-1A are the top employment-based green card options.
• The processing time, eligibility requirements, and qualifications differ for each visa option.

*Looking to study in the USA? Get in touch with experts at Y-Axis for guided assistance.

U.S. Post-Graduation Work Visa options

After graduation, international students in USA are offered with work and permanent residency options based on their eligibility. Below are the work Visa options offered by the U.S.

OPT & STEM OPT:

• The OPT program allows international graduates & undergraduates to work in the U.S. after graduating or while pursuing their degrees.
• Optical Practical Training (OPT) allows international students with F-1 Visa to work in the U.S. for up to a year after graduation.
• Specific STEM majors can extend their OPT for up to 2 years to work in the U.S.
• OPT allows student entrepreneurs to establish a business before or after graduation.
• A 60-day time frame is given to international students to leave the country or look for alternate work options upon the expiration of the OPT or STEM OPT.

H-1B Visa:

• The H-1B Visa is one of the most preferred temporary work visas that use a lottery system for selection.
• The H-1B lottery has allotted slots for each category of students.

• 65,000 students with for Bachelor’s degree.
• 20,000 students with for Master’s degree or higher.

• Employers must apply for the H-1B in March and can begin working in October of the same year.
• H-1B Cap Gap Extension can be used to stay in the country until the H-1B visa becomes active.
• The validity of the H-1B visa is six years, and it is eligible for extension and Permanent residency.

E-2 Visa

• Student entrepreneurs can opt for the E-2 Visa and must belong to a treaty country to qualify.
• The student entrepreneur must also be willing to invest a certain amount of investment in the company and own at least 50% of the company.
• Student entrepreneurs can apply for the E-2 Visa before graduating, as there is no requirement for a degree.
• The E-2 Visa can be extended for as long as the business exists and is operational.

TN Visa

• International students from Mexico & Canada can opt for the T.N. Visa.
• The TN Visa allows only specific occupational occupations like –
  • Accounting
  • Engineering
  • Teaching Higher education
  • Nursing & Medical professions
• Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree to apply for the T.N. Visa.
• The TN Visa has no cap on the number of visa issuances.
• The validity of the T.N. visa is three years and can be renewed indefinitely.

O-1A Visa

• The O-1A Visa is a type of temporary work visa that is suitable for student entrepreneurs.
• International students who have exceptional abilities in any of the following fields are also eligible for the O-1A Visa –

• Science
• Arts
• Athletics
• Education
• Business

• Three out of eight criteria must be fulfilled by candidates willing to apply for the O-1A Visa.
• The validity of the O-1A Visa is and can be extended for an indefinite period.
• The O-1A Visa also acts as a pathway for permanent residency.

EB-2 NIW

• The EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) is a permanent petition for immigrants.
• Candidates with exceptional abilities or an advanced degree can qualify for the EB-2 NIW.
• Student entrepreneurs willing to apply for the EB-2 NIW Visa must provide evidence of the company, its plan of action, and its impact on the U.S. economy.
• Candidates, who have their EB-2 NIW approved, must wait till the processing of the Green Card to start working in the U.S.
• The processing time for EB-2 NIW for Indian and Chinese students is comparatively high.
• Candidates are advised to apply for the visa 12 months before graduating, or the OPT expires.

EB-1A

• The processing time for the EB-1A is shorter than the EB-2 NIW Visa.
• Candidates must apply for the EB-1A at least one year before the OPT expires.

Willing to migrate to the USA? Contact Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultant in UAE.  

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