You may currently be in the U.S. on a F-1 Visa, and want to work. You have heard of “OPT” and “CPT” but do not know much about these employment authorization options and are not sure what the difference is between them. This article will help you plan for one of these employment authorizations by...Read More
As a student, you can become eligible for a Green Card and permanent residency in the U.S. through your employment by having your employer sponsor you for an EB-2 or EB-3 visa, or by having a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder family member (Spouse, Parent, Child) file a family petition for you. Green Card...Read More
You must first ask yourself the following questions and depending on your answers, develop a strategy to get a job and work visa after your graduate and your work visa expires. When are you graduating? What industry do you want to work in? Is it a competitive field? Can you afford to spend several...Read More
Many students work on campus during the semester, while others seek outside campus work experiences or internships. As an international student, you will need to factor in your student visa regulations for internships, staying on campus v. non-campus housing, going home v. staying in the U.S., having an internship that pays v. an unpaid internship,...Read More
You have three Student Visa Options: J-1 Visa, F-1 Visa, and M-1 Visa. What student visa you should get depends on the answers to the following questions: What is the objective of you coming to the US? Study in a program or get training? What type of program? How long? What is the long-term goal...Read More
A J-1 Visa is suitable for those who wish to study or obtain work related experience or training, under a specific exchange visa category. Before you can apply for a J-1 Visa, you must first be accepted into an exchange visitor program through a designated sponsoring organization in the U.S. You can learn more at...Read More
If you are already in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, you can stay in the U.S. and do a Change of Status application or you can return to your country, or a country that does third-country visa processing, and apply for a visa through the consulate. What option you choose depends on various factors: ...Read More
You cannot work while you are here in the U.S. on a student visa unless you are authorized to do so under OPT or CPT. OPT and CPT are both employment authorizations for students on the F-1 Visa. CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training: For undergraduate students; Full-time or part-time; Requires a signed agreement between...Read More
F-1 students do have the option of working on campus subject to certain requirements. They may not work off-campus during the first academic year. After the first academic year, F-1 students can pursue three types of off-campus employment and obtain work authorization (EAD): Curricular Practical Training (CPT); Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion); and ...Read More
Some J-1 visas are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement, which means the J-1 visa holder must return to their home country for at least two years after their exchange visitor program, unless they are approved for a waiver. The Department of Homeland Security must approve the waiver before the J-1 visa can...Read More
