USA Post-study work Questions
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What is the full form of STEM and why does it matter for Indian students applying abroad?
→STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM degrees matter because they unlock longer post-study work rights, such as 3 years total OPT in the USA versus 1 year standard, plus targeted immigration draws in Canada, priority processing in Australia, and stronger salaries worldwide.
How do I settle permanently in the USA from India after my MS or MBA?
→Start with 1 year of OPT, extended to 3 years for STEM degrees, then win H-1B sponsorship through the annual lottery. For a green card, standard EB-2 and EB-3 routes face decades-long Indian backlogs, so target EB-1A, EB-1C via a multinational role, or an EB-2 National Interest Waiver.
Which country is best for Indian science stream students to study in after 12th?
→Germany offers the best value for PCM students with near-zero tuition and total costs of Rs 12-18 lakh yearly, the USA leads research and computer science with 3-year STEM OPT, the UK suits PCB students with 3-year degrees, while Canada and Australia offer strong work and migration pathways.
Is the FMGE exam compulsory for Indian students who complete MBBS abroad?
→Yes, FMGE is compulsory for practising medicine in India after a foreign MBBS, unless you are fully licensed in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand. You need 150 of 300 marks to pass, then a compulsory rotating internship. NExT, its planned replacement, stands deferred, so FMGE remains active.
Which is better for an Indian student, Harvard or Oxford, for rankings and career prospects?
→Both are elite: QS 2026 ranks Oxford third and Harvard fifth. Harvard wins for tech and finance careers with median earnings near USD 123,900 and need-blind aid, while Oxford offers a guaranteed 2-year UK Graduate Route visa, a cheaper 3-year degree and world-leading law and humanities.
Which is better for Indian engineering students, MIT or IIT, in terms of ranking and placements?
→MIT ranks #1 globally (QS) and graduates average USD 100,000-120,000+ starting salaries, while top IITs sit in the global top 150 (top 50 for engineering) with domestic packages of Rs. 15-25+ LPA. MIT wins on global careers and research; IIT wins on cost and Indian ROI.
Which country is best for studying engineering for Indian students with good job prospects?
→Germany, the USA, Canada and Australia rank as the best countries for engineering with strong job prospects. Germany offers near-free tuition, the USA the highest salaries and STEM OPT, Canada the easiest permanent residency via PGWP, and Australia strong demand in civil, mining and renewable fields.
Which engineering branch is hardest and should I think twice before choosing it for studying abroad?
→Chemical and Aerospace engineering are widely rated the hardest branches for their heavy physics and multi-disciplinary load. You should think twice about studying them abroad, mainly because ITAR citizenship hiring rules, geographic industry clusters and high capital requirements make jobs for international graduates genuinely scarce.
All Questions (161)
Is there any visa option other than student visa, such as a work visa, that would allow me to go abroad and continue my career in UK?
→Is it possible to get a post-study work permit or job opportunities abroad after completing my master's in USA?
→Is it possible to settle abroad just by working after studies, or is permanent residency difficult to obtain in USA?
→Is the post-study work permit situation for Indian students becoming more difficult recently in USA?
→What are the job prospects and post-study work visa options in UAE compared to Australia for a PhD?
→Is Europe a good option for PhD studies in terms of part-time job opportunities and stipend in UK/Germany?
→What career options are available to a biotech master's graduate in India or internationally who wants to stay close to lab work while also exploring industry?
→When should an Indian undergraduate student at a US university like Rochester start looking for finance or private equity internships, and what kind of firm should they target first?
→Should an Indian life sciences graduate with a chemistry background consider management consulting as a career option?
→What should an Indian student targeting an LLM in California know about UCLA, UC Davis, and UC Riverside for international and cyber law?
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