How to Use the F-1 Visa For Foreign Students to Work Your Way to Living & Working in the US

The F-1 Visa is a full time student visa and is utilized by foreign students from around the globe to study at US universities for their undergraduate, masters and PHD programs.

It is very popular and historically has been the main way people from all over the world have been able to transfer from student to the E-3 visa or H-1B visa and begin their new lives in the US.

This is not as I am sure you are all aware a cheap option necessarily, as outside of outstanding students and those in many PHD programs who receive academic scholarships, chances are you will have to pay for your education in full. University Tuition fees in the US are not cheap not to mention living costs.

You have options beyond attending one of the prestigious and very expensive colleges in the US like the Harvard or Yale. State universities is an option as well where the tuition is a lot lower.

The fees are generally charged by the amount of credits each subjects gives you and of course you need a certain amount. Of course Masters programs can be more but is generally only half the length of a undergraduate degree (2 years vs. 4 years)

The tuition at state universities is subsidized by the Government and is even lower for residents of that state. Generally you have to live in a state for at least a year to qualify for this so after a year of studying and living in a particular state your fees may even go down depending on the university and state concerned.

The F-1 visa does give you is the ability to do 4 things which greatly enhance your chances of finding an employer to sponsor your E-3 visa or H-1B simply after you graduate.

CPT - Curricullum Practical Training which allows you to work for credits to your degree
OPT - Occupational Practical Training allows foreigners to work at a US company. This is usually done by a student after graduating but can be done earlier

The F-1 visa also gives you time in the US to build contacts at University, Alumni groups, the employers you may work at and via friends to find a future long term employer in US.