The U.S. F-1 student visa is designed for high-impact career development, primarily through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. This allows students to work in their field of study for 12 months post-graduation. However, the most significant benefit is reserved for STEM graduates, who can apply for a 24-month extension, totaling three years of work authorization without needing a separate H-1B work visa. This extended period is highly sought after as it provides multiple attempts at the H-1B lottery while earning some of the highest entry-level salaries in the world.
During your studies, you are restricted to on-campus work (up to 20 hours/week) in your first year, but you can transition to off-campus roles via Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if the work is an integral part of your curriculum. This “hands-on” approach ensures that by the time you graduate, you have already built a professional network within the American market. The U.S. also offers an unmatched variety of scholarships and research grants, particularly at the graduate level, making it a high-investment but high-return destination.
