Know Your Post-Study
Visa & Work Rights Options

OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a post-study work authorization in the USA for international students. Standard OPT is 12 months. STEM OPT extensions add up to 24 additional months (total 36 months for STEM fields like Computer Science, Engineering). You must secure a US employer sponsoring your H-1B visa to extend work beyond OPT.

Canada is the most PR-friendly with post-graduation work permits (PGWP) leading directly to Express Entry PR in 1-2 years. Australia and New Zealand offer skilled migration with points-based systems (2-3 years). The USA has the longest PR timeline (3-15 years via employer sponsorship, especially for Indian nationals due to backlog). UK requires 5 continuous years for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Spouse work rights vary significantly by country. USA H-4 spouses require an approved I-140 petition to get EAD. Canada, Australia, UK, and Germany allow spouses unrestricted work rights. Singapore restricts spouse work unless employer-sponsored. It's crucial to check spousal provisions if your partner plans to accompany you.

Salary requirements vary by country and your field. UK Skilled Worker visa requires £38,700+. Germany EU Blue Card needs €45,300 (€39,682 for STEM/shortage occupations). Singapore Employment Pass requires SGD 5,000/month (~$3,700). USA has no official salary requirement for OPT, but H-1B sponsorship typically requires $60K+. Australia and Canada have no minimum salary for post-study visas.

Canada is fastest (1-2 years via Express Entry after PGWP). Australia (2-3 years with skilled migration). UK requires 5 continuous years of work/residency to get ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain). USA is slowest: 3-15 years, especially for Indian nationals with country-based quotas causing backlogs. The simulator shows exact timelines for your profile.