You may have enjoyed your experience studying and living in the United States so much that you do not look forward to returning to your home country after your graduation date. However, there may be a way to remain in the country legally, but this is so long as you hustle to get the necessary work authorization on time. Without further ado, please continue reading to learn how to switch your student visa to a work visa and how an experienced work authorization permit lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, at Sesini Law Group, S.C., can help you seamlessly transition.
Can I work while on my student visa?
First of all, while you are still a full-time student on an F-1 student visa, you should take advantage of your opportunities to gain legal employment. After all, it may be expensive to support yourself and your education during your stay.
That said, you may not work off-campus during your first academic year, only on-campus employment is available and subject to conditions and restrictions. This is unless you can prove you are under a special situation where you are facing severe economic hardship or otherwise require exceptional student relief.
Nonetheless, after this first year, you may accept off-campus employment in the form of curricular practical training (CPT), optional practical training (OPT), or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics optional practical training extension (STEM OPT). Please consult one of our lawyers to learn more about these available programs.
Ultimately, no matter which path you choose, you must first get work authorization from the designated school official at your academic institution, along with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
How can I switch from a student visa to a work visa?
The most important thing to accomplish is first completing your academic degree program with your F-1 student visa. As mentioned above, you may enroll in OPT, which may extend for up to 12 months post-graduation. Of note, STEM OPT may last for up to 24 months post-graduation.
Before your program ends, you must start planning for an H-1B visa. Specifically, this visa is designated for foreign workers in specialty occupations that require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field, much like yourself. But this visa type also requires you to find a U.S.-based employer willing and able to serve as your sponsor.
Once you find someone, they must file a labor condition application with the U.S. Department of Labor and the H-1B visa petition with the USCIS on your behalf. As you can tell, each step may take time to complete. So it is in your best interest to start sooner rather than later so there are no illegitimate gaps in your nonimmigrant visa status.
Before entering these proceedings, you should have already hired a skilled work authorization permit lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, to represent you. So, if you have not done so already, please contact Sesini Law Group, S.C. today.