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Safest path for international students

Hi all,

I am an international student on an F-1 visa. I am aware that getting sponsored from US companies is hard, yet I am confident in my ability to get an offer. My question is: what is the next step? If I get an H-1b visa, what should I undertake next in order to be as safe as possible about my future in the US? #immigration #international-students #visas

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Parshva’s Answer

Hi Celestin. Your question in really relatable to me. I was a student on an F-1 visa and am currently working on OPT. Yes, it's definitely difficult to get a job on an f-1 visa, but what's more difficult is getting picked in the H-1B lottery. At the end of the day, you have control over your ability to get a job, but not an H1-B visa. I would think about it in two ways -
Assuming you get H1-B Visa- I would think about whether I want to pursue further education (masters/mba), and if yes, would highly recommend doing it within the STEM field. If not, keep renewing your H1B until your company applies for your green card. **There have been issues in the past where people are unable to renew their H1-B for whatsoever reasons**

Assuming you don't get an H1B- I would think about back-up options like going back to school for Masters, or asking your company if they can relocate you to a different country where they have an office, and later they can eventually bring you back to the US on a different visa category.

This is too much to think at the moment and I'm sure it would be overwhelming. For now, I would suggest you to focus on landing a job, and once you do that, be transparent about your situation with your company and ask them as to how can they help/support you.

Best of luck!
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Paul V.’s Answer

If you get an H-1b visa, you want to do the best job you can so the company you work for wants to keep you and can sponsor you for an immigrant visa. As far as your current F-1 status, the more education you have, i.e. Masters or Doctorate, the more in demand you can be for immigration, especially if your career is in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Best wishes to you.
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Linh’s Answer

Definitely get a STEM degree, that will help you have 36 months of OPT, thus 3 tries for H1B lottery. Pick a stable company, you you won't be affected by lay-offs, company closures etc. After getting H1B, talk about green card immediately with current employer to gauge their willingness to sponsor you. If they don't want to, at least you know early rather than later and thus find your way to a more willing employer.
Also, I know you asked about 'future' in the US, but one roundabout way people often talk about is applying for permanence residency then citizenship in Canada. After 5-6 years, you will be a Canadian citizen & you will be able to work in the US.
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