Travel • Work

How To Get A United States Work Permit With A Master’s Degree

Blessing Emmanuel
5 min read

After studying, students who want to operate in the United States will require a work permit. As an international student, if you are provided with the prospect of operating in the United States after your master’s, you will be glad, won’t you? Indeed, many international students looking forward to studying overseas also intend to live in their nation of study when they finish their studies, mainly if it is among the leading countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. Consequently, settling in the United States or getting employed there is only possible if your student visa expires.

The nation has employment prospects; however, you must follow the ideal path. Hence, a work permit is required. In this blog, we will investigate how you can acquire a work permit in the US after your master’s program.

The Types Of Student Visas Needed For Post-work Permits In The US

There are various kinds of United States student visas through which students can apply for a work permit. For international students who desire to get employed in the United States after their programs, they are required to work towards one of these three visas:

  • F-1 visa: The F-1 visa is provided to international students who desire to pursue full-time studies in the US and work towards getting their F-1 visa. Significantly, candidates for the F-1 visa are students who want to go to higher institutions, seminaries, language internship programs, or any other educational institution. When you conclude your master’s in the United States, this visa is needed for your work permit.
  • M-1 visa: On the contrary, the M-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for international students who desire to study a program that is not educational in the US. These programs could be at a developed professional or other non-educational institution or a business academy.
  • J-Visa: Lastly, the J-1 visa is a short-term visa provided to students who desire to partake in an endorsed exchange visitor program in the nation. This could be for studying, indicating a special mastery, or learning.

Furthermore, of the three visas, only the F-1 visa enables students to remain in the United States for one year. The J-1 and M-1 visas permit you to stay in the US for 30 days. The F-1 visa is the most straightforward route to apply for a work permit after studying in the United States.

How To Acquire A Work Permit In The US With An F-1 Visa

Students looking for ways to get a job in the US after graduation must fight hard to get their F-1 visa. This is because getting a work permit in the nation is compulsory. The F-1 visa enables holders to apply for Optical Practical Training (OPT). The Optical Practical Training scheme permits students to remain in the United States for 12 months after their programs. Students can apply and get 1 year of Optical Practical Training before the conclusion of their educational programs. Hence, if you begin your Optical Practical Training before the conclusion of your program, the duration will be deducted from the obtainable duration post-completion. Students are required to satisfy the following measures:

  • Is required to be employed by an employer who is registered in E-Verify already.
  • Is required to get an initial award of post-completion OPT job approval, depending on your STEM program.

International students can also apply for an OPT extension within 12 months of their studies. The OPT extension is available for STEM students and has been approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP).

When To Apply For STEM Opt Extension

Students who desire to make an application for STEM Optical Practical Training are required to know the following procedures:

  • They must apply after their DSO enters the suggestion for OPT into their SEVIS history.
  • Make an application within 60 days after their DSO enters the suggestion for OPT into their SEVIS record.
  • Or apply up to 90 days before their current OPT job approval expires.
  • Is required to present form I-765 and reimburse the application charge. Attach your employer’s name as mentioned in E-Verify, the firm identification number, or the authentic E-Verify Client firm identification code.
  • Present Form I-20, Certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant student status, authorized by your DSO within the last 60 days.
  • Present a copy of your STEM program.

Obtaining A Work Permit In The US On A H-1B Visa

Outside the OPT method, you can get employed in the United States using a H-1B visa. The H-1B visa permits international citizens to operate for American firms. Hence, these employments need capable employees. The visa is valid for 3 years. However, it can be extended for 6 years. Below are the qualification measures for the H-1B visa;

  • Candidates must have a bachelor’s or master’s program from an endorsed institution.
  • Candidates are required to have employment.
  • Candidates must operate in an area that needs both logical and practical understanding.
  • Candidates must own a state license to operate in their selected area.

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