how to stay in the us after student visa

After having been granted an F-1 or M-1 student visa, and actually entered the United States, you can stay and pursue your studies until the expiration date shown on your I-94. That document can be accessed online from U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP).

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How to stay in the United States with an F-1 student visa?

If you came to the United States with an F-1 student visa, you have 3 way to stay in the United States: 1. OPT – Optional Practical Training Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an option for F-1 Visa students who have recently graduated. OPT is temporary employment authorization, and your employment must be related to your F-1 area of study.

How to stay in the US after college for international students?

3 Ways to Stay in the U.S. After College for International Students 1. OPT - Optional Practical Training 2. Apply for a Non-Immigrant Work Visa 3. Apply for a Green Card Are you eligible to apply for a Green Card? Are you an international student that just graduated and not sure what to do next? Do you want to stay in the United States?

Can a student visa be used for permanent residence?

Student Visa. Overview. Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. You must have a student visa to study in the United States.

Should you take a vacation while studying in the United States?

If you have been studying in the United States, most likely on an F-1, M-1, or other temporary (nonimmigrant) visa, you might want to finish your stay with a little vacation. After all, if you've been studying hard, you might not have had much of a chance to actually see the United States!

How can I stay in US after my student visa expires?

To extend your stay in the US after OPT expires, speak with your designated school official (DSO) or an immigration attorney to learn more about options for your F1 visa after graduation such as the following: Transfer to another education institution.

Can I settle in USA after study visa?

One of the ways that students can stay in the US on an international student visa after graduation is with an OPT extension. The post-completion OPT allows recent graduates to work in the US for up to 12 months.

Can I stay in USA after my studies?

Yes, absolutely. If students graduate in an undergraduate or a graduate degree program, they are eligible for the optional practical training opt, which allows the students to remain in the U.S. for one year, working in any area of their studies.

Can you get permanent residency from student visa USA?

If you are a student currently living in the U.S. on an active F1 visa, then you may be eligible to apply for a Green Card (a.k.a. Permanent Resident Card). Obtaining this will allow you to legally live and work in the U.S.

How can I become a US citizen with a student visa?

If a student has amassed four years of holding a valid H1B visa, then he/she can apply for a permanent residence, commonly referred to as a green card. On the basis of student's specialized knowledge, the applicant needs to get approval from the company in which he or she is working in order to apply for a green card.

How can I convert my student visa to work permit in USA?

How to Change Student Visa to Work Visa in USAFind a Sponsor. As mentioned, you have to be sponsored by a U.S. employer in order to apply for a visa. ... Submit a Labor Condition Application. ... File Form I-129. ... Complete the Application.

How can I convert F1 visa to H1B?

The following steps outline the procedure of changing status from F1 to H1B work visa....F1 to H1B Change of StatusStep 1: Find H1B sponsoring employer. ... Step 2: Timely filing of H1B petition. ... Step 3: Have employer file your H1B petition. ... Step 4: Check eligibility for cap-gap extension.

How long can you stay in US with student visa?

F-1 student visa They can stay in the US for up to 60 days after finishing their academic program unless they applied for and were accepted to carry on working for a while under the OPT Program. F-1 students must complete their studies by the termination date on their I-20 form.

Can F-1 students apply for Green Card lottery?

International students can enter the Diversity Visa Lottery, and guidance in the past from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have indicated that simply submitting an entry does not constitute an individual demonstrating “immigrant intent” to the U.S. — which may make an ...

How can I stay in the US legally?

Six ways to legally enter the US and possibly obtain a green cardTAKE ACTION: Get help with your rights to justice, equality and civil liberties. ... FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION. ... WORK VISAS. ... STUDENT VISAS. ... VISA LOTTERY. ... INVESTORS. ... ASYLUM SEEKERS.

How many years does it take to get PR in USA?

You can expect the processing time for permanent residence to be more lengthy than most other visas. According to USCIS, an application for permanent residence (Form I-485) will take anywhere from 6 months to 33 months to process.

How long does it take from F-1 to green card?

This is because you will file Form 1-130 and Form I-485 together. Here, the F1 to green card process is about one to two years depending on where you live. It takes this long because the local USCIS office will likely interview you and your spouse.

How many years post study visa in USA?

This visa is only valid for one year. Under the provision of M1 visa, the students can apply for an extension of up to 3 years. The M1 visa holders can work in the US for at least 6 months after the completion of their course as practical training.

How long can you stay in the US with a student visa?

F-1 student visa They can stay in the US for up to 60 days after finishing their academic program unless they applied for and were accepted to carry on working for a while under the OPT Program. F-1 students must complete their studies by the termination date on their I-20 form.

How many years visa does US give for students?

F1 student visa is usually valid for 5 years. You can stay in the US only for 60 days on a F1 visa after completing your graduate studies. What happens when my student visa expires? When F1 visa expires, you have to maintain your student status to remain in the US.

How can I get Green Card after student visa?

7 Ways F1 Students Can Get a Green CardReceive Employer Sponsorship.Marry a US Citizen.Seek Asylum.Win the Green Card Lottery.Receive Sponsorship by a Relative Who Owns a Business.Participate in Military Service.Receive Parent or Child Sponsorship.

How far in advance can you get a student visa?

New Students – Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date.

What happens after a visa interview?

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this is required.

How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).

What is a B visa?

After you are admitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in visitor (B) visa status, you must separately apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status to student (For M) status prior to the start of your program.

What happens if you fail to leave the US on time?

Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being out of status. Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ). Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States.

What documents do consular officers need to interview you for a student visa?

A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of: Your academic preparation, such as: Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and. Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;

Where to schedule a visa interview?

You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.

What to do if you overstayed a student visa?

If you have overstayed a student or other nonimmigrant visa, you should consult with an immigration attorney about your rights and responsibilities. The immigration attorney can also determine if you have any options after accruing unlawful presence.

How long can you stay in the US after being questioned?

If you accrued fewer than 180 days of unlawful presence, you can still apply to return to the United States if you otherwise qualify for another nonimmigrant or immigrant status. Be prepared to explain why you overstayed in case you are questioned about it at the consulate or port of entry.

What happens if you overstay and leave the US?

If you have already left the United States,your previous overstay will not necessarily prevent you from returning unless you did accrued 180 days or more of unlawful presence before leaving and are therefore barred from reentry.

When does an overstay start?

In most cases, an overstay begins when you are still in the United States after your studies or training period are over, your grace period has ended, and you have taken no action to apply for a change of status.

When does unlawful presence begin?

Like an overstay, unlawful presence generally begins after a person's period of authorized stay expires. For most nonimmigrants, this concept is straightforward. For example, if a B-1 visitor's stay ends on July 1, 2019, that person will begin to accrue unlawful presence on July 2, 2019. For F-1 and J-1 students admitted for D/S, however, ...

Can an immigration officer deny my application?

The immigration officer has the discretion to de ny your application and he or she will most likely ask you about why you stayed in the United States after your status expired. It is always a good idea to retain an immigration attorney when you apply for a benefit while out of lawful status.

How long do treaty trader visas last?

and the treaty country. An E-2 visa requires a "substantial investment" to be made into a new or existing enterprise. Managers, executives and other essential employees are eligible for these visas. The visa is usually granted for a 5-year period with 2-year increments upon each entry. It is possible to extend these visas as long as there is a need for the individual to direct and control the U.S. enterprise and the concern remains viable.

How to get an employment based visa?

To obtain an employment-based immigrant visa, there is usually a requirement that an applicant applies and obtains labor certification. This process, designed to ensure that no qualified U.S. workers exist for the position, is often difficult and can take several years to complete (depending on jurisdiction). It is therefore desirable to apply under an alternative category, which lacks this labor certification requirement. Most graduates will fall under:

What is an intracompany transferee visa?

The L-1 intracompany transferee visa is used for companies abroad who have offices in the U.S. and would like to transfer certain employees here on temporary employment assignments. This visa is designed for managers and executives (maximum admission: 7 years) or people possessing specialized knowledge (maximum admission: 5 years).

Why is the immigration process so stressful?

Navigating the American immigration process is often stressful and confusing because there are as many visas as there are letters in the alphabet. The eligibility requirements and legal rulings are constantly changing, which does not make the process any easier. Here are a few of the most common options applicable to graduates.

How long can a subsidiary be admitted?

If the U.S. subsidiary is a newly established office, the applicant will only be admitted for an initial period of 1 year. It is possible to apply for extensions, which must be accompanied by documentation showing major business activity or future business activity and an increase in personnel.

What is an H-3 visa?

An H-3 trainee visa is suited to those individuals who do not have appropriate education or work experience. It is for those who would like to come to the U.S. to train in a particular field with the intention of transporting the knowledge and training back to their home country upon completion of their visa. The H-3 visa is valid for 2 years and cannot be extended or transferred to H-1B/L-1 status. To qualify for an H-3 visa, the applicant needs to secure training from a U.S. employer who has an established training program.

What happens if I change my status and I get an I-94?

Because you are changing status, not receiving an actual visa, this will be good for the length of your stay only. If you leave and need to return, even before the expiration of your permitted stay, you will need to visit a U.S. consulate and reapply for an entry visa.

What is the process of changing status?

The application process for a change of status involves filling out Form I-539, issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You must file this application before the end of your grace period.

How long can a graduate student work in the US?

The H-1B status allows the graduate student to live and work in the United States for up to six years. To be eligible for this type of visa, you must prove to USCIS that you are uniquely qualified for the position in the company because of your field of study.

Why do international students get green cards?

International students have the upper hand in receiving green card status because they have already spent an extended amount of time living in the United States legally.

How long does it take to become a US citizen?

Keep in mind that no matter which way you choose, becoming a permanent US legal resident can take many years. But, in the meantime, you can improve your chances by working in the US while you pursue citizenship.

Can you get citizenship if you serve in the military?

However, it is important to note that the military cannot assist you in your path to citizenship, and you should be aware that this option may not be available in the near future.

Can I sponsor my family for green card?

Immediate family sponsorship. If you have an immediate family member who is a US citizen, they can sponsor you for green card status. To sponsor you, your family member must be a spouse, child over 21, parent, or sibling. You will need to prove your relationship through Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

Can an international student stay in the US after graduation?

It’s possible to stay in the US under certain circumstances. We take a closer look at two options – OPT and H-1B.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is a program that allows international students to work in the US after their graduation, and gain practical experience. Students with F-1 visas may apply for 12 months of OPT after each level of education complete.

H-1B Speciality Occupations

Another option available to you is to change your visa status to H-1B by applying for an interim OPT phase before H-1B, or to apply for H-1B directly from F-1.