F-1 student visas allow those pursuing educational opportunities to legally live in the United States. Information technology (IT) careers are a common way for foreign nationals to legally enter the U.S. and begin working in the country.
Numerous schools across New Jersey offer degrees in the IT sector. Foreign national students who have recently completed a degree program in New Jersey or who are on the cusp of graduation may want to take steps to protect their immigration status and begin a career working in the U.S.
How do those with student visas transition to working professionals with the documentation necessary for domestic employment?
Students must connect with employers early
Many institutions of higher education offer internships and work-study programs. The goal is to connect students close to graduation with potential future employers. Internships and work-study programs can be an excellent way for foreign national students with F-1 visas to begin developing connections for a career in the U.S.
If they do not have any educational connections, they may need to begin professionally networking and communicating with companies hiring for vacant tech positions. Some organizations may openly advertise that they can help workers secure H-1B visas. Once a student finds an employer willing to sponsor them for an H-1B visa that requires a bachelor’s degree or higher, they may have to enter the visa lottery.
The employer must submit a petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the lottery rule does not apply or the visa applicant gets selected during the lottery process, they may be eligible for a gap extension. There is often a gap between when an F-1 visa technically expires and when workers can start jobs granted under the H-1B visa program.
Students who start working for employers that can sponsor them for visas typically need to inform their educational institutions about their new visa status to ensure that internal records within the institution are accurate. Although employers do manage some of the process, international students with F-1 visas often need to be proactive in their pursuit of employment opportunities and an H-1B visa.
Working with an immigration attorney who has experience with non-immigrant visas for students and skilled workers can be helpful for those hoping to extend their stay in the U.S.. Tech students about to graduate are in an ideal position to begin pursuing another visa and career opportunities here in New Jersey.