Can I Get Work Visa After MS in the United States?

The chances of getting a work visa after completing an MS in the USA are good, but not guaranteed. It depends on multiple factors including your field of study, employer support, and timing. Here's a clear breakdown:

Common Path: F-1 Visa ➝ OPT ➝ H-1B Work Visa:

1. Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• After your MS, you get 12 months of OPT (up to 36 months for STEM degrees).

• You can work for any employer in your field of study.

• During this time, you must find a job and hope your employer will sponsor you for a work visa.

2. H-1B Work Visa

• Requires employer sponsorship.

• There is a lottery system due to high demand.

• Around 85,000 H-1B visas are granted per year (including 20,000 reserved for those with US master's degrees).

• STEM grads with a US MS degree have an advantage in the lottery (extra chance in the master’s quota).

Factors That Improve Your Chances:

• STEM degree holders are preferred (engineering, CS, data, etc.).

• Working at a cap-exempt organization (e.g., universities, research institutes) avoids the lottery.

• Finding a strong employer willing to sponsor H-1B.

• Applying for Green Card through employment-based routes (EB-2 or EB-3) over time.

Challenges:

• H-1B is not guaranteed due to lottery limits.

• Not all employers are willing or eligible to sponsor.

• Visa caps can delay or block transition from OPT.

Summary:

• Chances are good if you’re in a high-demand field and proactive in job hunting.

• Many international MS graduates do successfully get H-1B visas, especially in tech and engineering.

• Backup options include continuing education (PhD), cap-exempt jobs, or shifting to other countries like Canada.