How does the visa process and post-visa work permit differ between the UK and the US for master's programs?

Your post-study options in the UK and US differ sharply once you finish your Masters. The UK's Graduate Route lets you work in any job at any skill level without employer sponsorship, while the US ties your work authorization directly to your specific field of study through Optional Practical Training, with a lottery standing between you and any longer-term US visa.

UK vs US Visa and Post-Study Comparison

What Happens After Your Post-Study Window

• UK: you must switch to a sponsored route like the Skilled Worker Visa before your Graduate Route expires, and that time then counts toward the 5 year settlement path
• US: you must win the annual H-1B lottery before your OPT or STEM OPT expires, or find an alternative like transferring programs or another visa category
• UK graduates benefit from new entrant salary discounts that make sponsorship easier for employers
• US STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify with a formal training plan on file

My Advice

If long-term settlement matters more to you than lottery risk, the UK's non-sponsored Graduate Route gives you a more predictable runway to find a sponsoring employer. If you are set on the US, prioritize a STEM-designated Masters program, since the extra 24 months on STEM OPT gives you multiple additional H-1B lottery attempts before your work authorization runs out.