If I want to settle in the country after my master's, what are the options?
In the US, you typically settle in by using your 12-month OPT, extended to 3 years with a STEM master's, then securing H-1B sponsorship from an employer, which allows up to 6 years of work before you pursue a green card through the EB-2 or EB-3 category.
Settling down after your master's usually means moving step by step from a student visa to a work visa and eventually to permanent residency. The exact pathway depends heavily on your destination country, so the US route below is the most detailed example available, and other countries follow a different sequence.
US Settlement Pathway After a Master's
| Stage | What It Gives You |
|---|---|
| Standard OPT | 12 months of work authorization tied to your field of study |
| STEM OPT extension | An additional 24 months, 3 years total, for STEM master's holders |
| H-1B visa | Up to 6 years of work, with a second lottery entry for master's holders |
| EB-2 / EB-3 green card | Permanent residency via employer sponsorship and PERM certification |
| National Interest Waiver | Self-petition option under EB-2 without employer sponsorship |
If You Are Studying Elsewhere
- Canada offers a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) followed by points-based permanent residency routes.
- The UK and Australia run their own separate graduate work visa and points-based systems, quite different from the US model.
- Your best next step is confirming your destination country so the settlement roadmap can be tailored precisely.
My Advice
Tell me which country and field of study you are targeting for your master's, since the visa-to-residency roadmap changes completely between the US, Canada, UK and Australia. Once I know your destination, I can map out the exact permits and timelines you should plan around.
Planning to settle in the USA after your master's?
PR pathways, timelines and which countries make it easier. Honest guidance.
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