Post-Study Work Visa in the USA after Masters

After finishing graduation in the USA, students often look forward to getting a post-study work visa in the USA. With a post-study work visa in the USA, international students can stay and work for 1 year after graduation. Different types of student visas like F1, M1, and J1 allow students to stay and study in the US for some time after they complete their higher education. If you have an F1 visa, you can work temporarily for up to a year in a job related to what you studied. It’s called Optional Practical Training (OPT), and it’s something F1 visa holders can apply for after they finish studying. You can avail 3 years of post-study work permit for STEM programs.

As an international student, You may have many questions like “How long can I stay in the USA after graduation?” Or, “How can you apply for a post-study work visa in the USA?” This guidance will help you to know details about Optional Practical Training (OPT) and post-study stay back in the USA for international students. 

What do you know about the post-study work visa in the USA?

The USA is not just known for its top-notch education but also its job opportunities. Many students who study there find good jobs because of the quality education they receive. There are many job opportunities in the USA available in all sorts of fields. Employers often look for students who have graduated from US universities because they’re well-prepared. However, only some get work opportunities in the USA. One way to fulfill your dream of working there is by getting a post-study work permit.

These permits are given to international students who finish their education in the USA. If you want to learn more about getting a post-study work visa in the USA after master’s, you can talk to our consultants who specialize in this.

Highlights of post-study work visa in the USA for international students

Let’s explore the keynotes about post-study work visa in the USA for international students-

• International students can stay and work in the USA temporarily for one year with a post-study work permit
• STEM graduates can stay up to 3 years with an OPT in the USA
• Without a Post-study work visa in the USA, international students can work up to 20 hours per week and up to 40 hours during holidays
• You can bring dependants with F 2 visa

Benefits of PSW in the USA after graduation

A post-study work visa in the USA is one of the most important things for students to pursue higher education in the USA Specially for the F1, M1, and J1 visa holders. 

A PSW permit allows international students to gain valuable work experience in their field of study. This practical experience can enhance their resume and increase their employability both in the USA and globally.

With a post-study work permit in the USA, graduates can earn a salary, which helps them financially and potentially pay off any student loans they may have accrued during their studies.

For some individuals, a post-study work visa in the USA can serve as a pathway to obtaining permanent residency in the United States of America. Many visa programs, such as the H-1B visa, require prior work experience in the USA, making a PSW in the USA valuable in the immigration process.

Continuing to work in the USA after graduation allows international students to further immerse themselves in American culture, gain a deeper understanding of the work environment, and improve their English language skills.

What is OPT in the USA?

Optional Practical Training is one kind of post-study work visa in the USA. OPT is a special permit that lets international students stay and work in the US for one year after they finish their degree. There are two kinds of OPT such as-

• Pre-Completion OPT–  It allows international students to work while studying. 
• Post-Completion OPT– It allows international students to work after completing their studies. Which is also known as a post-study work visa in the USA.

Who is eligible for the OPT in the USA?

To be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the USA, you must meet certain criteria:

• Fulfillment of Study Requirements: You must be enrolled in a full-time degree program at an accredited institution in the USA and have completed at least one academic year of study.

• Maintaining F-1 Status: You must be in valid F-1 student status at the time of application and throughout the OPT period.

• Application Timing: For Post-Completion OPT, you must apply within 90 days before or 60 days after completing your degree program. For Pre-Completion OPT, you can apply as early as your first academic year.

• Approval of Designated School Official (DSO): You must work with your school’s designated official to apply for OPT and receive their recommendation.

• No Previous Use of Full-Time CPT: If you have used 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT), you may not be eligible for OPT.

When to apply for the Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

The timing to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) depends on whether you’re pursuing a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) degree or a non-STEM degree in the USA.

For STEM degree students

• Post-Completion OPT: Apply after your school advisor (DSO) recommends OPT in the SEVIS system. You can apply 90 days before completing your studies. You can start working after one year of full-time study.

• Pre-Completion OPT: Apply after your DSO enters your OPT recommendation into SEVIS. You can apply 90 days before completing one academic year, and you can start working after completing one year of full-time study.

For non-STEM degree students

• Post-Completion OPT: Apply within 30 days after your DSO recommends OPT in SEVIS. You can apply 90 days before completing your degree, but no later than 60 days after completion.

• Pre-Completion OPT: Apply after your DSO recommends OPT in SEVIS. You can apply 90 days before completing one academic year of study.

How to stay in The USA legally after masters?

Some international students want to stay in the US after they finish school. They can do this by getting something called OPT or a post-study work visa in the USA. This lets them work in the US for up to 12 months after they graduate.

Usually, students can’t apply for OPT until after they graduate. But unlike another type of work called CPT, which you can only do while you’re still in school, OPT can be done before or after graduation. Just remember, you only get 12 months total of this practical training. So, if you already used up all your OPT or CPT while you were in school, you can’t get more. But if you go to graduate school, you can become eligible again. 

Who is eligible for a post-study work visa in the USA?

In the USA, international students who have completed their studies at a U.S. institution may be eligible for a post-study work permit known as Optional Practical Training (OPT). The work permit for a USA study visa allows recent graduates to work in the United States for up to 12 months after completing their academic program. Additionally, certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree holders may qualify for a 24-month extension of their OPT period, allowing them to work for a total of 36 months after graduation. Eligibility for OPT depends on maintaining F-1 student status and meeting specific requirements outlined by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

How to convert your student visa to a post-study work visa in the USA after master’s?

You have to maintain a process to convert your student visa to a post-study work visa in the USA after master’s.

• To get a work permit in the USA, you need to make sure your job is related to what you’re studying in college. Also, you have to follow all the rules for international students, like keeping your visa status legal.

• If you want to work while you’re still in school, you apply for something called CPT after you finish all your required coursework. But if you want to work after graduation, you apply for OPT before finishing everything for your degree.

• You can work either before or after you graduate, or even both if you want. But remember, you can only stay and work in the US for up to 12 months after you finish your classes.

USA Green Card for International Students

A USA green card lets you work anywhere in the US, get financial help, and live in the US for a long time. But getting one can take a long time because a lot of people want it.

If you’re a student, your F-1 student status is only temporary. You might be thinking, “Can I work in the USA after completing my graduation?” The H-1B visa allows you to stay in the United States of America for a few years, but getting a green card is the first step to living in the US permanently.

FAQ