Visas After Graduation
After you finish your Cornell degree, you may want to work in the United States for a while. Working will give you practical training and experience and allow you to apply the knowledge you’ve gained to real-world problems.
Types of Work Authorization
There are several possibilities for work authorization in the United States. Here are the most common:
F-1 Optional Practical Training
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit and an extension of F-1 student status. It allows you to apply what you learned in your degree program to off-campus work in your field of study. OPT is most commonly taken after graduation.
J-1 Academic Training
J-1 Academic Training is a type of employment directly related to your major area of study. You can take it either during the course of your studies or after graduation.
H-1B Temporary Worker
This visa category will allow you to work in the United States if you are qualified to work in a specialty occupation (most require advanced degrees) or if you wish to take a job with a U.S. Department of Defense research and development project.
TN (Canadians and Mexicans)
Permanent Residency (Green Card)
A green card allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. There are many eligibility categories, including through marriage to a United States citizen.
Visas After Graduation Virtual Event
Presentations Every Semester
During the fall and spring semesters, we offer a variety of virtual immigration workshops and presentations.
Offered once each semester, Visas After Graduation for international students provides an overview of options for working long-term in the U.S. after graduation and eventually becoming a permanent resident (green card holder), if you desire. Visas After Graduation is presented in collaboration with the law firm of Miller Mayer.
You can also view the most recent video recording of Visas After Graduation on the Global Cornell YouTube channel.
