What are my options if I can't find a job after completing my studies in the USA on an F-1 visa?
You have several options: use up to 90 days of unemployment during your 12-month OPT, apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension if eligible, enroll in another degree program, or use your 60-day grace period to transfer schools or change status before leaving the US.
Not finding a job immediately after graduation does not automatically mean you must leave the US, but your options depend on where you are in your F-1 timeline and whether you've used up your allowed unemployment days.
Main Options by Situation
| Situation | Main Options |
|---|---|
| On regular 12-month OPT | Find qualifying employment within the 90-day unemployment limit |
| STEM degree with a qualifying employer | Apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension (up to 36 months total OPT) |
| Employer willing to sponsor | Pursue H-1B or another employment-based route |
| No job found | Enrol in another eligible degree/programme, or leave the US |
Key Timelines to Know
Regular post-completion OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment, tracked through SEVIS. If your degree and employer qualify for STEM OPT, the total unemployment allowance across regular OPT plus STEM OPT is generally 150 days. After your authorised OPT ends, F-1 regulations generally provide a 60-day grace period, during which you may be able to transfer schools, change education level, or file an appropriate change-of-status application, subject to your DSO's guidance.
My Advice
Talk to your school's Designated School Official (DSO) as soon as you're unsure about your job search, since they can see your exact SEVIS status, unemployment days used, and OPT/STEM OPT eligibility. If your degree is STEM-eligible, prioritise finding any qualifying STEM OPT employer to unlock the 24-month extension, as this gives you significantly more time to secure an H-1B-sponsoring employer.
How long can you stay and work after a US master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
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