Posted by : Tubai Paul
Author Designation : Marketing & PR (Kolkata)
Green Card and PR Opportunities After Study Abroad
Many international students aim to stay and work in their host country after completing their studies. Different countries offer various immigration pathways to allow students to extend their stay and gain work experience. This guide provides an overview of the key post-study work visa options and immigration pathways in popular study-abroad destinations.
Optional Practical Training (OPT):
- Eligibility: International students with an F-1 visa are eligible to apply for OPT. It allows students to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months after graduation in a field related to their major.
- STEM Extension: Students who have completed degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may apply for a 24-month extension, totaling 36 months of work authorization.
- Application Process: Students must apply for OPT through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before their program ends. The application includes submitting Form I-765 and supporting documents.
- H-1B Visa: After completing OPT, students can apply for an H-1B visa, which is a non-immigrant visa for skilled workers. The H-1B allows them to stay and work for up to 6 years.
H-1B Lottery:
- The H-1B visa is issued through a lottery system, and demand often exceeds the cap, making it competitive.
- Students with a U.S. master's degree have a slightly higher chance due to a separate cap for advanced degree holders.
Green Card Pathways:
- After working on an H-1B visa, students can pursue a green card through employer sponsorship or family-based immigration if applicable.
2. Canada
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):
- Eligibility: Students who have completed a program of at least eight months at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada are eligible for the PGWP.
- Duration: The permit is issued for the same length as the study program, up to a maximum of three years.
- Application Process: Students must apply within 180 days of completing their program, providing proof of graduation and a valid study permit.
- Permanent Residency (PR) Pathways:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): International students who have gained at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada through the PGWP can apply for permanent residency under the CEC, part of the Express Entry system.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): Many Canadian provinces offer pathways to permanent residency for international graduates. Each province has its own criteria and may require a job offer.
Graduate Route:
- Eligibility: International students who have successfully completed a degree at a recognized UK institution can apply for the Graduate Route visa.
- Duration: Bachelor’s or master’s graduates can stay and work for two years, while PhD graduates can stay for three years.
- Application Process: Students must apply within six months of completing their course and need to be in the UK at the time of application. No job offer is required to apply for this visa.
- Skilled Worker Visa: After gaining work experience, students can transition to a Skilled Worker visa (previously Tier 2), which requires a job offer from a UK employer and a minimum salary of £26,200.
- Permanent Residency Pathways:
- After five years on a Skilled Worker visa, students can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the UK’s permanent residency status.
4. Australia
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485):
- Eligibility: International students who have completed at least two years of study at an Australian institution can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa.
- Duration: The visa allows students to stay and work in Australia for 2 to 4 years, depending on the level of their qualification:
- 2 years for bachelor’s degree holders
- 3 years for master’s degree holders
- 4 years for PhD graduates
- Post-Study Work Stream: Students who graduate with a degree from an Australian institution can work in any field, not necessarily related to their area of study.
- Skilled Migration Pathways:
- Students can apply for permanent residency through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, which includes visas like the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).
- Applicants must meet criteria based on age, qualifications, and occupation.
5. Germany
Residence Permit for Job Seekers:
- Eligibility: International students who have completed their degree in Germany can apply for an 18-month job-seeking visa.
- Duration: Students have 18 months to find a job in a field related to their degree.
- Application Process: Students need to apply for this residence permit before their student visa expires. Proof of financial stability and health insurance are required.
- Blue Card:
- Once students find a job, they can apply for an EU Blue Card, a work and residence permit for highly skilled workers.
- The Blue Card is granted for four years, and holders can apply for permanent residency after 33 months (or 21 months if they demonstrate German language proficiency).
6. New Zealand
Post-Study Work Visa:
- Eligibility: International students who complete a qualification at a New Zealand institution can apply for a post-study work visa.
- Duration: The visa allows graduates to stay and work for one to three years, depending on the level of qualification.
- Application Process: Students must apply for the visa within three months (or six months for PhD students) of completing their studies.
- Residence Pathways:
- Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): Students who gain skilled work experience on the post-study work visa can apply for permanent residency through the Skilled Migrant Category.
7. France
Temporary Resident Permit (APS - Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour):
- Eligibility: International students who have completed a master’s degree or higher in France are eligible to apply for a temporary resident permit (APS) to stay and seek employment.
- Duration: The APS allows students to stay for up to 12 months (extendable to 24 months).
- Work Permit: During the APS period, students can work part-time or full-time in jobs related to their field of study.
- Transition to Long-Term Residency: After finding employment, students can transition to a work visa or a residence permit, which may eventually lead to permanent residency.
8. Netherlands
Orientation Year Permit (Zoekjaar):
- Eligibility: Graduates from Dutch higher education institutions can apply for a one-year residence permit to look for a job or start a business.
- Duration: The orientation year permit is valid for 12 months and can be applied for up to three years after graduation.
- Highly Skilled Migrant Visa: Once a graduate finds a job, they can apply for the highly skilled migrant visa, which allows them to work in the Netherlands for an extended period.
- Permanent Residency Pathways:
- Graduates who work for five consecutive years on a work visa or highly skilled migrant visa can apply for permanent residency.
9. Ireland
Third Level Graduate Scheme:
- Eligibility: International students who have completed a degree from a recognized Irish institution can apply for the Third Level Graduate Scheme.
- Duration: Bachelor’s graduates can stay for up to 12 months, and master’s or PhD graduates can stay for up to 24 months.
- General Employment Permit: After securing a job, students can transition to the General Employment Permit, which is valid for two years.
- Critical Skills Employment Permit: For high-demand professions, students can apply for this visa, which allows them to stay and work for up to two years and provides a faster route to permanent residency.
10. Japan
Designated Activities Visa (Job Search):
- Eligibility: International students who have completed a degree in Japan can apply for a Designated Activities Visa to stay and search for employment.
- Duration: The visa is valid for 6 months and can be extended for an additional 6 months.
- Work Visa Pathway: Once students find a job, they can apply for a work visa based on the type of employment they secure (e.g., Engineer/Specialist in Humanities, Instructor, etc.).
- Permanent Residency: After working in Japan for a few years (typically 5 to 10 years), students can apply for permanent residency.
Conclusions
These immigration pathways provide valuable opportunities for international students to gain work experience and potentially settle in their host country after completing their studies. It's essential to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of each country and ensure that you meet the criteria for visa applications and extensions.
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