I'm planning on studying in the US and maybe working there too. I've heard there might be new visa rules. Can anyone explain what they are and how they might affect students like me?
The US immigration policies are subject to changes, especially those related to student visas and work visas. As of 2024, the common visas for international students wanting to study and work in the US include:
1. F-1 Visa: This is the most common type of international student visa. It allows you to engage in academic studies in the US at an accredited college/university and you can work on campus for up to 20 hours a week. After your first year, you can apply for off-campus employment through programs called CPT (Curricular Practical Training) and OPT (Optional Practical Training).
2. M-1 Visa: This visa is for vocational and technical schools. M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies.
As for work after graduation, an F-1 student is generally entitled up to one year of post-completion OPT. If you graduate with a degree in certain STEM fields, you may be eligible for the 24-Month OPT STEM Extension, a two-year period of temporary training that directly relates to your program of study.
Under the new proposed rules announced by the Biden administration, there may be changes in the processing times for Work Authorization Documents (EAD cards), which international students require to start their OPT or CPT. The US government proposed a rule to scrap the existing 30-day timeline to issue EAD cards, which might result in longer waiting periods. But this is still under discussion as of now.
Also, there has been a proposed rule to eliminate the "Duration of Status" rule that allows international students to stay in the US as long as they maintain their student status. This might mean that international students will have to apply for extension of their stay after fixed intervals, though this rule hasn't been implemented yet.
On the brighter side, the Biden administration has spoken about increasing the number of H-1B visas (work visas), which traditionally allow graduating students to transition from OPT to longer-term work status.
Please stay updated with these rules by regularly checking the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website and consulting the International Student Office at your school. It's also a good idea to have an immigration lawyer in case there are complicated issues. Do remember that immigration laws can change and can depend on individual cases, so always ensure you have the most up-to-date and personalized information.
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