{"id":329462,"date":"2025-09-26T00:00:05","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T00:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studyinterntl.wpengine.com\/?p=329462"},"modified":"2025-10-13T07:09:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T07:09:49","slug":"working-in-the-us-for-indian-grads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/news\/working-in-the-us-for-indian-grads\/","title":{"rendered":"Working in the US: Everything an Indian graduate should know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you an Indian student who\u2019s about to graduate from a US university? Or are you simply thinking about working in the US at the end of your programme?<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll be glad to know that this is completely possible \u2014 especially if you\u2019re studying at or graduating from a top university. Many Indian nationals have found unparallelled success in the US after graduating from a US university, like Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got an <\/span>F-1 visa<\/span><\/a>, you should know that you\u2019re only permitted to remain in the US for 60 days after your graduation date. Because of this, it\u2019s best that you plan ahead to ensure you\u2019re able to legally work in the US by the time you graduate. Here\u2019s a guide we\u2019ve compiled for Indian graduates:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Many successful Indians began working in the US after graduation. Source: Drew Angerer\/Getty Images\/AFP<\/p><\/div>\n

Working in the US: During your studies<\/b><\/h2>\n

The best way to do this is by finding work during your studies. Internships and part-time work are a great way for you to develop new skills and gain exposure to your industry. You\u2019ll also be more prepared to demonstrate your level of experience to your future employer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the F-1 visa, you have the right to work in the US with a number of restrictions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On-campus work is the most flexible type of work you can take up; generally, you won\u2019t need approval from the <\/span>US Citizenship and Immigration Services<\/span><\/a> (USCIS) for that. You\u2019re allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while studying and full-time during holidays and vacation periods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For <\/span>off-campus work, you may need to apply for <\/span>optional practical training<\/span><\/a> (OPT) or <\/span>curricular practical training<\/span><\/a> (CPT) status. Both will allow you to work off-campus while you\u2019re completing your degree, the only difference being that the CPT should be used for any internship or work components to your degree.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, you should know that OPT only gives students permission to work for 12 months, and this does not reset once you graduate. This means that if you choose to work off-campus under OPT while you\u2019re studying for four months, you will only have four months available to you after you graduate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information on working in the US during your studies, <\/span>here\u2019s a great guide<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Working in the US: After your studies<\/b><\/h2>\n

Of course, working in the US after your studies is the main goal. You can do so under a number of visas:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Optional Practical Training (OPT)<\/b><\/h3>\n

OPT also gives you the option to work in any line of work after you\u2019ve graduated <\/span>provided that it\u2019s related to your field of study. This is usually more favourable to international students as it provides more flexibility than the CPT, which must be completed as part of a programme\u2019s curriculum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, any F-1 student who has studied full-time in the US for at least one year can qualify for OPT. Under OPT, you\u2019ll be able to stay and work in the US for up to 12 months. STEM students or graduates may qualify for a 24-month extension.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The best part? You don\u2019t need a job offer to submit an application for OPT. It\u2019s a great way for you to build connections within your industry. This may also help you gain sponsorship from a US employer who would like to hire you on a permanent basis under a H-1B visa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Applying for OPT takes time, so you should plan in advance. According to the <\/span>USCIS<\/span><\/a>, you can apply for post-completion OPT 90 days before you complete your degree or 60 days after you graduate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to apply for OPT:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Your Designated School Official (DSO) has to enter a request for your OPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Your DSO will confirm your eligibility and update your application form<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. You\u2019ll then have to submit the form I-765 for employment authorisation. If you need guidance on this, you should contact your university.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Wait until USCIS approves your OPT. Once this is done, you can begin working!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    H-1B visa<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Another alternative to working in the US is to be sponsored by an employer via the H-1B visa, which will typically be directly related to your field of study. This will allow you to live and work in the US for up to six years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    You can transfer your F-1 student visa for this type of visa if you have an employer willing to sponsor you, or use the OPT visa to gain some work experience at a company who might then be willing to sponsor you. With the H-1B visa, you\u2019ll be able to earn the same wages and enjoy the same job conditions as your US counterparts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    How, then, might you find an employer willing to sponsor you?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    First and foremost, you should <\/span>cross out any companies that don\u2019t sponsor international applicants. This way, you\u2019ll save a lot of time by applying to companies that will definitely hire foreigners.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Once that\u2019s done, you can start applying! Search for jobs that are related to your field of study, <\/span>fix up your resume<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>practise for your interviews<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s always best to be as prepared as possible to ensure that you appear as attractive as possible to your potential future employer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"

    STEM graduates can apply for an extension to their OPT.Source: Karen Ducey\/Getty Images via AFP<\/p><\/div>\n

    Work your way towards a green card<\/b><\/h2>\n

    With time, effort and dedication, you can work your way towards obtaining a green card \u2014 your key to permanent residency in the US. This can be tricky because of its high demand, but not impossible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    You could apply for a green card yourself or through your employer. If you have worked with a US company for a few years and have proven to your employer that you are an invaluable asset, they may be willing to put in an application for you. You could also petition for one yourself under <\/span>a number of conditions<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    We hope that this guide was useful for you. Enjoy the rest of your studies in the US, and good luck!<\/span><\/p>\n

    A success story<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Priyanka Devi<\/span><\/a> found herself in one of the toughest job markets in the US, the computer science field.<\/span><\/p>\n

    She managed to secure an internship during her time at Binghamton University, but once she graduated, she faced a challenge: to find a job within 90 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cNot only did I have to worry about my studies and paying off my loan, but I also had to look for a job,\u201d she says. \u201cThe job didn\u2019t necessarily have to sponsor me for a visa, as I would be given an Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work in the US legally, but to find a job in 90 days? It was a lot of pressure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Despite the pressure, Priyanka pulled through.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    How did she do it? Well, she joined an industry less explored by computer science graduates: healthcare.<\/span><\/p>\n

    But, two and a half years later, she had to search for a new job that would sponsor her for an H-1B visa. And thanks to her experience in the healthcare industry, Priyanka secured a job at Amazon as a business intelligence analyst.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Today, she has gotten her H-1B visa sponsorship.<\/span><\/p>\n

    A bittersweet ending<\/span><\/h2>\n

    For Hari Prasad Renganathan, his story takes a sadder turn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Despite graduating from Columbia University with an MSc in Data Science and securing a job at the world\u2019s biggest gaming company, Take-Two Interactive Software, Renganathan will have to leave the US. <\/span>
    \n<\/span>
    \n<\/span>\u201cI have to leave the US by December,\u201d he shares. \u201cI did not manage to win the H-1B visa lottery. It\u2019s really sad and disappointing, but I\u2019m not shocked, and I have no regrets.\u201d<\/span>
    \n<\/span>
    \n<\/span>Not only has Renganathan dedicated two years of his life to Take-Two Interactive Software, but he has also given back to the community in the US. He was a TEDx speaker and the founder of JotterWolf, a company that addresses the common challenges associated with job applications and interview preparation.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cStudying and working in the US has been the best experience of my life,\u201d Renganathan says. \u201cI\u00a0 know that it can be stressful when thinking about securing a job, especially regarding the H-1B visa, but I\u2019d recommend everyone to give it a try.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
    \n
    \n

    Disclaimer: This article was last updated on September 26, 2025.<\/p>\n

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    \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Are you an Indian student who\u2019s about to graduate from a US university? Or are you simply thinking about working in the US at the end of your programme? You\u2019ll be glad to know that this is completely possible \u2014 especially if you\u2019re studying at or graduating from a top university. Many Indian nationals have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1939,"featured_media":329474,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[10],"countries":[11],"partner":[],"ppma_author":[1474],"class_list":["post-329462","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers","tag-trending","countries-usa"],"acf":{"modules":null},"meta-shares":{"_edit_lock":["1760340619:292"],"_edit_last":["292"],"rank_math_seo_score":["81"],"rank_math_focus_keyword":["Working in the US"],"rank_math_title":["Working in the US: What Indian graduates should know"],"rank_math_description":["The one-stop visa guide to working in the US for Indian students, including how to find and transfer 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