TEMPORARY WORKING VISAS:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

FREE NEWSLETTER

Learn how to benefit from United States immigration laws and procedures from a former INS Attorney (1976-82) with over 30 years of experience. SHUSTERMAN'S IMMIGRATION UPDATE is must reading for potential immigrants, employers, human resources managers, immigration attorneys, reporters and policy makers. Join over 55,000 persons in more than 150 countries in subscribing to our FREE monthly e-mail newsletter. E-Mail Address: Your Name:

If you plan to return to your country after graduation, or within a year thereafter, there is no need to read on. However, if your plan is to reside in the U.S. on either a temporary or a permanent basis after graduation, this section will explain how to obtain a temporary (H-1B) working visa.

If your job requires that you possess a college degree, you may be eligible to change your status from F-1 practical training to H-1B temporary working status in 30 to 60 days. Again, it is best to apply for H-1B status as soon as possible. If your EAD expires before your application for a change of status is approved, your permission to be employed terminates immediately.

The immigration law refers to H-1B workers, not as professionals, but as workers in "specialty occupations". Specialty occupations include almost any job for which a university diploma, or its equivalent, in a specific field is a prerequisite for employment. Accountants, architects, attorneys, many types of business managers, computer programmers, dentists, engineers, physicians, systems analysts, and various types of business, medical and scientific workers may qualify for H-1B status. However, if you graduated with a B.A. in the humanities or social sciences, you may have difficulty in finding employment which will qualify you for H- 1B status.

Continue...

Schedule A Legal Consultation

Return to Recent University Graduates

Return to Immigration Guide Homepage