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Earning a degree in the United States of America is no more than that. It is all about developing the future, creating global opportunities, and broadening your network of professionals. Foreign students are extremely interested in staying in America much longer than during the course. Either to gain work experience, additional studies, or find employment. This also raises one very fundamental question in my mind: How to remain in the U.S. legally after studies?
Well, it is not a question of living longer—how to do it. The US government has quite a variety of legal ways for foreign graduates. Who would like to stay in America? They all include terms, benefits, and disadvantages. So, in case you are in the mood to stay in America after graduation. This article gives you the most important options that can keep you there without breaking any immigration law.
If you are in doubt about the visa facilities that you would receive upon the completion of your degree, then you can always search for the services of an Immigration consultants, who will walk you through step by step and simplify things for you. Aside from this, visa interview preparation classes also make you confident and even give you a good experience.
How International Students Can Legally Remain in the U.S.?
Read the following article to look at how international students can legally remain in the city of United States:
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is the most sought-after and optimum option among international students pursuing studies in the U.S. on an F-1 visa. OPT provides students with an opportunity to work in their field of study for a maximum of 12 months after graduation. This helps in getting work experience in the outside world. Moreover, it leads to opportunities to avail long-term job offers. The silver lining for the students of STEM fields is that they can get an extension of 24 months, i.e., work authorisation in the U.S. for 36 months.
But you must apply for OPT on completion of your course or within 60 days of the completion date of your course. You can even remain in the country. While your OPT is under processing, don’t keep it at a snail’s pace.
Converting to an H-1B Visa
Following some profitable experience in the U.S. on OPT. Most students like to switch their F-1 status to an H-1B visa, i.e., an employer-sponsored U.S. non-immigrant work visa. The visa allows the holder to stay in the U.S. and work for 6 years. It is a prized stepping stone to one day obtaining a green card.
The application process for the H-1B visa is competitive and by lottery, so you need to prepare ahead of time and have an employer sponsorship. Upon approval, this path gives security, potential long-term residence, and access to most career development options.
Pursuing Further Education
Yet another popular and legal way of remaining in America is to pursue another course of study. A Master’s, Doctoral, or professional degree is an ideal option to pursue additional studies. And you can remain in the country on an F-1 visa with a new Form I-20.
This proves useful, especially if you wish to specialise in the course you are undertaking or gain additional qualifications before joining the workforce. You will be forced to go to an SEVP-certified school and have frequent contact with your DSO (Designated School Official), so you can continue to enjoy your lawful status.
Changing Visa Status
Even other students can have the facility to change their visa status based on their own position. For example, if you visit or stay temporarily for some other purpose, then you can have the facility of converting your F-1 status to B-2 (Tourist visa). If you are going to marry an American citizen or a U.S. employment visa holder, then you can be eligible to take a dependent status, such as H-4 or F-2.
To do this, you need to file Form I-539 with USCIS and get your petition released before the expiration of your current visa. It won’t take long, a few months only, so go ahead and fill, and if needed, hire a specialist.
Filing Within the Grace Period
F-1 students are provided with 60 60-day grace period upon program completion. You can apply for OPT, transfer to another program, status change, or travel plans to leave the U.S. within this time.
Shrewd use of this time to one’s advantage without overstaying is recommended, as overstaying the stipulated term will probably attract stern immigration sanctions such as visa bans or refusal of future applications. Be in touch with your university’s international office at all times for good counsel.
If you wish to remain there for a long duration of time, then it is the right choice to hire a US visa consultants. They are appropriately familiar with the immigration laws and will guide you through the legal process beautifully. And if you need to go for a visa interview, the most suitable interview coaches will prepare and present you beautifully.
Conclusion
It is clear from the article that there are some legal ways to stay in the U.S., such as on OPT, graduate school, a work visa, or a change of status. Which one to pursue depends on your career goal, money plan, and individual circumstances. If you need work experience, OPT is a sure thing. If you wish to work in the U.S. in the long run, the H-1B visa might be a better choice.
