Many people may often hear the names of visas F- 1 and H- 1B, but they can't explain them in detail. Then, let's start with a popular science post. Type of visa for studying in the United States: International students must complete the visa application before going to school in the United States. There are two kinds of visas: one is F- 1 visa for full-time students, and the other is J- 1 visa for exchange students and visiting scholars. H- 1B visa is a full-time work visa. Students can get an H- 1B visa if they can find a full-time job opportunity during their one-year internship after graduation.
The US government's visa policy for international students is tightening day by day. What problems will international students encounter when they apply for these visas?
1. Add a random telephone survey link for visas to the United States.
Since February 20 17, the United States has added the link of random telephone survey to students applying for Chinese mainland visa. This survey is usually arranged 1 to 3 days before the interview. The contents of the survey mainly involve the applicant's study background and study plan, such as major, courses, study expense budget and future graduation plan. Therefore, if students receive such a survey call, please make sure that their answers are true, which is not much different from the answers provided during the interview.
2. The time to enjoy the interview-free renewal service is shortened.
The original stipulation that "you can enjoy the interview-free renewal service within 48 months after the US endorsement period" was shortened to "within 0/2 months after the expiration of the validity period".
In addition to shortening the renewal time, visa-free service also has many new regulations on the strictness of visa review. According to the new regulations adopted by the Trump administration, American consular officials can require visa applicants to provide personal information including: all past passport numbers, social media accounts used in the past five years, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers and personal information of the past 15 years, such as previous residence address, employment and travel history.
Officials also have the right to request additional information if they believe that certain information is valid for identity confirmation or stricter security review.
3.OPT is only a reform and will not be abolished.
OPT, the visa-free internship period, can also be called OptionalPractical Training, which means that foreign students in the United States can stay in the United States for one year after completing their studies and look for job opportunities related to their majors. However, if international students do not apply for OPT within 60 days after graduation, they can no longer stay in the United States. American students with F- 1 visas have no chance to work full-time in the United States. Students need to find their own professional internship opportunities, apply for OPT, and get the EAD (Employment Authorization Document) issued by the Immigration Bureau before they can work full-time. During the internship, students still retain the F- 1 visa, but if they find a suitable work unit and sign a formal labor contract during the internship, the F- 1 student visa can be converted into an H- 1B work visa.
OPT is a transitional stage from student status to work status, which means that international students can get a certain buffer period to legally stay in the United States to find a job and accumulate work experience. OPT is not a visa type, and the student status of international students has not changed. So be sure to keep in touch with the staff of the international office of the school before, and keep abreast of the changes in policies and procedures, so as to apply for a work visa or continue to study in the United States in the future.
It was widely circulated on the Internet that OPT would be cancelled. However, referring to the original English text, only "OPT will be reformed to protect the interests of Americans more" is mentioned, and the word "cancel" is not mentioned.
4. The official voice policy of H-1B visa will not be tightened.
H- 1b refers to the special occupation/temporary worker visa (H- 1B). It is a visa for professionals with bachelor degree or above to work in the United States. The application procedure for this kind of visa is very complicated and difficult. At present, applications are started every April 1. The first application period is 3 years, which can be renewed for 3 years upon expiration. It has strict requirements on the job content of candidates. When the Immigration Bureau reviews, it should not only look at the applicant's background, but also trace whether the company that employs the applicant complies with relevant laws and regulations.
If international students want to continue to work in the United States after the OPT expires, I must apply for an H- 1B visa before the OPT expires, and I can continue to work after the internship. That is to say, ordinary international students can't get H- 1B, and OPT can't be extended after one year. If they want to stay in the United States, the only chance is to hold a green card.
Since Trump took office, it has become more and more difficult and the waiting time has become longer since the annual H- 1B draw in April 20 17. There have been rumors of tightening the H- 1B policy, but recently the Trump administration officially voiced that it is beneficial for the United States to let these educated professionals stay in the United States, so the H- 1B visa policy will not be tightened.
Influence on international students in the United States
Previously, in order to retain these outstanding international talents who received higher education in the United States, the United States has opened up channels for international students to apply for green cards. International students can find job opportunities after graduation. When they have a job, they can apply for an H- 1B visa. After getting a visa, they can apply for a green card.
On 20 15, the Obama administration announced a proposal to allow people who currently hold work visas and are applying for green cards to stay in the United States indefinitely.
However, Trump policy is more inclined to protect the rights and interests of the American people. International students studying in the United States or other workers in the United States have seized the job opportunities of native Americans to a certain extent, making it more difficult to get an H- 1B visa, but the Trump administration announced that it would not tighten the H- 1B policy. For international students, the opportunity to study abroad is basically unaffected, but it may be more difficult to work in the United States after graduation.
Earlier, the Trump administration had proposed a new plan to cancel the work permit (H-4 visa) of the spouse of H- 1B visa holder in the United States. This policy was also promulgated and implemented by Obama on 20 15.
Not only is the visa policy tightened, but at the same time, the immigration policy is also tightened. Recently, the United States also announced its withdrawal from the United Nations global immigration agreement on the grounds of "damaging US sovereignty".
At present, these policies have increased the steps for students to apply for visas, which is slightly more difficult, but it has little impact on the overall international students. The possibility that students want to stay in the United States and get a green card after completing their studies is much smaller in the face of the current austerity policy.