Given the current climate with work visas, does it make sense for an international student to study in the US with a view to eventually work there or are the chances of working in the US for international students now reduced to the point that investing $200,000+ is not worth it?
You need to explain more - what discipline, what career goals, where do you want to study, etc.? Sure, it is much less certain, but in the right field and with certain skills, it is certainly possible.
As an American ex-pat, we have pointed our kids to non-American schools because we don’t think it’s worth $200K+. Our daughter had the choice between a fancy American SLAC that would have cost about $250K. She did her undergrad in the UK for about 1/4 that.
No. It’s not “worth it” unless gambling $200,000 is not a financial problem for your family.
If it is, go to Europe or Australia for your undergrad, then try for a subsidized graduate degree at an American university – this will open more avenues to a future job in the US… if that’s still what you want.
Under current immigration rules, there’s two “safe” ways to obtain an immigration visa to the US:
- by investing $1 million and creating jobs for at least 10 American workers
- by marrying a US citizen
Work visas are very hard to come by and I certainly wouldn’t bet $200,000 on it unless that amount of money doesn’t make a difference to your family.
Is it $1m? I thought it was $500K
It is 500K although there is a strong push to raise it.
I thought it was $1m in general, with $500k only sufficient for investments in economically struggling areas?
Thank you for your responses everyone. $200k definitely isn’t a small amount for my family. That’s pretty much why I asked. I was under the impression that if I study business management in a good university, I could find work in the US thereafter. Is this still a possibility?
“possibility” and “good bet” are not the same at all.
International students have to assume they will be returning to their home countries after graduation from an American university.
US employers have to look for fill open positions by US citizens and permanent residents first before even “possibly” considering international applicants to sponsor. It takes too long and is expensive and there are no guarantees.
Given your major of business management, and the number of American students who study this, your possibility to gain employment in a US company will be very limited.
The reality is though, other countries with enviable universities are also leaning this way. Certainly the UK and Australia are battening down the hatches as we speak.
So basically, even on my OTP the chances of actually finding work are not very high?
You are correct.
If your goal is to get a good job outside your country, then look at Canada and Australia. They have friendlier immigration policies for graduates of their universities.
Here is just some advice regarding immigration. Whenever you apply for/recieve a student visa, never talk about intentions of staying in the US. Don’t talk about it to anyone, don’t post about it on the internet, and don’t write it down anywhere (your stuff may be searched and if immigration finds in your diary about you dream of staying in the US, you are screwed).
It is not unheard of for students with study visas have their visas revoked because immigration officers felt that they were going to stay in the US after going to college here.
As for whether it is worth it, it really depends on what major and what school. In some countries, a STEM degree from a prestigious American university will go a long way.
^ this.
100%.