One of the questions in the minds of students who desire to study any STEM course abroad is the duration of time they can stay after the completion of the course. International students are entitled to student visas which help them to stay freely in the country where they are studying for the period of study. However, what comes next after graduation?
For many students, they desire to stay, get a good-paying job and then start life properly. But a student visa would not allow you to do that as it is only valid for the duration of your studies. As a student who wants to study abroad, it is beneficial to gather enough information to help you properly plan and prepare your mind for what you are expected to see when you finally travel there.
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So how long can you stay in the United States after your STEM course? Can you get a job after your graduation? What are the requirements you need to get a job with a legal visa? How long is your student visa valid?
These and more are the questions we will answer in this article.
Table of Contents
Can international students stay and work legally in the US after graduation?
Yes! Students can stay and work legally in the U.S. after the completion of their course. But this is widely dependent on a lot of factors and does not just come automatically.
It should be noted that before you can study in the U.S. as an international student, you need to first obtain an F1 visa. In the United States, F1 visas are usually issued to students who are enrolled in either a university, college, or high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory, language training programmes etc. You fill out the application form, pay the fee and then attend the interview, when all the due process is done, you can get your visa.
Student visas can be issued 365 days in advance before you start the course, however, you will not be allowed in the country until 30 days before your start date.
In the same vein, after the completion of your studies, you cannot say for more than 60 days in the country. If you do, it will be termed illegal and will be punishable.
However, students can stay band work in the U.S. after the completion of their programme to gain real-life experiences by opting for the Optional Practical Training extension or the STEM OPT extension.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training is a program which provides graduate and undergraduate students with the opportunity to work in the U.S. Students are allowed to connect with organizations so as to get on-the-field experience, increase their knowledge and experience base and build them up for future opportunities.
The application process for OPT can begin nine months after enrollment. It is also important to note that you cannot begin your employment without receiving the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). This comes specifically from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and you should have been enrolled for a year. You however do not need to have a job before applying for EAD but it is advisable to apply early early because the USCIS can take as long as 90 days to process your application. To know more about how the process works, you will have to speak with your Designated School Official so as to know what the entire process entails and how to go through with it.
Furthermore, the most important document in this process is the form I-765 for employment authorization, this document must be submitted alongside your Optional Practical Training (OPT) application form.
Requirements for Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application
Additionally, before starting the process, speak with your DSO to understand what it entails but it is important to note that:
- Your job must be directly related to the course you are studying
- You must apply for your OPT before completing your degree
- You may work before or after you are done with your program
- You must maintain a lawful F-1 status
- You can stay and work in the U.S. for up to 12 months (1 year) after completing your coursework.
Additionally, the OPT post-graduation exercise requires that:
- You must work full times (for 40 hours per week)
- You must complete your OPT within 14 months after the completion of your degree
- Your application for post-completion of your OPT must be received by the USCIS before the completion of your degree.
Traveling without Optional Practical Training (OPT) application
Consequently, if you leave the U.S. after the completion of your degree before receiving your EAD and applying for a job, you may not be accepted into the country and this could affect your chances of obtaining your post-graduate work visa. It is therefore advisable to receive your EAD and get a job before leaving the country so that you have legal grounds to return. The necessary documents you need once you return include:
- Valid passport
- Valid EAD card
- Valid F-1 visa
- All your I-20 forms with page 3 endorsed for travel by your international student advisor within the past six months
- Letter of employment with your dates of employment and salary
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students or graduates are entitled to a 24-month extension of stay. But this program has limited spots available. The requirements also differ from the OPT program and students are required to fill out the I-983 form. For more information about the STEM extension, click here. The 24-month is an addition to the 12-month OPT period.Â
STEM degrees valid for OPT extension
- Life sciences
- Mathematics
- Military technologies
- Physical sciences
- Actuarial sciences
- Computer science applications
- Engineering
- Engineering Technologies
- Architectural Engineering
- Chemical Engineering.
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering.
- Systems Engineering.
- Biophysics.
- Molecular Biology.
- Molecular Biochemistry.
- Molecular Biophysics.
- Structural Biology.
- Neuropharmacology.
- Toxicology.
- Mathematica and Statistics
- Organic Chemistry.
- Physical Chemistry
- Environmental Health.
- Health/Medical Physics.
- Medical Informatics.
- Management Science.
- Business Statistics.
- Actuarial Science
For the full list of STEM-designated degree programs, visit ICE.gov.
How to apply for the STEM OPT Extension
As stated earlier, students who studied STEM-related courses can apply for an OPT extension which permits them to stay for an additional 24-month period after completing the OPT program for one year. Your Designated School Official (DSO) will enter an OPT request in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This allows you to fill out the OPT application and make payments. You are to make payment for the filling and biometric services. The total amounts to $495. The outlined steps to apply for the STEM OPT extension are below:
- Ask your DSO to enter an OPT request in SEVIS
- Sign the form I-20 (provided by your DSO)
- Complete the Application for Employment Authorization
- Submit the form, OPT extension fee, and supporting documentation electronically or by mail
- Answer any request for evidence from USCIS by the listed deadline
- Receive your approval
Additionally, you do not need a job before you can apply, but when you do get a job it must be in your area of study.
What is the duration for the STEM OPT approval?
STEM OPT extension approval typically takes between 80-120 days. It formerly used to take a maximum of 90 days but the increase in demand has led to a longer processing period.Â
Can I Apply for OPT Extension After OPT Expires?
The 24-month STEM OPT extension is an addition to the OPT program and not a replacement. Do not wait for your OPT to expire before filing for the extension, rather, file for the extension 90 days before the end of the regular OPT program. Only students with a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in the STEM field are eligible to apply.
Eligible fields include:
Only students who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in an eligible STEM field can apply for a STEM OPT extension. Eligible fields include:
- Biological sciences
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physical sciences
Furthermore, you must have an employer who will sponsor your request. The eligibility criteria for your employer are listed below:
- Must be enrolled in the USCIS E-Verify employment eligibility verification program
- Must allow you to work at least 20 hours per week
- Must provide learning objectives and formal training to help you meet the set goals.
Also, if you did not study a course related to the STEM field, you are expected to leave the U.S. by the end of the OPT extension grace period of 60 days.
Get Started
Desire to start a career in the STEM field? You must get a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in this field as this help to improve your change in the labour market. Studying abroad is equally no joke for international students due to the cost. However, you can achieve your dreams without breaking the bank by applying for student loans which you can pay for as long as 10 years.
MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require any cosigner or collateral before application. Reach out to us today and let’s help you get started.
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