Student Visa Guides: F-1, OPT & STEM OPT

Articles & guides about student US immigration.

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University graduates in gowns — F-1 to H-1B transition

From F-1 Student to H-1B Worker: Planning the Transition

A clear, reassuring roadmap for moving from F-1 student status to an H-1B work visa — the cap and lottery, OPT and STEM OPT bridges, cap-gap explained, backup plans, and building a multi-year strategy.

18 min read·May 29, 2026

Student

The F-1 Student Visa: Maintaining Status and Working on OPT

A friendly, complete guide to the F-1 student visa — getting your I-20 and visa, keeping status, on-campus work, CPT and OPT, travel, transfers, and what to do if something goes wrong.

21 min read·May 21, 2026

Graduates on campus — STEM OPT extension guide

Student

The STEM OPT Extension: A Complete Guide

Everything F-1 graduates need to know about the STEM OPT extension — eligibility, the qualifying degree list, the I-983 training plan, employer duties, unemployment limits, reporting, travel, and the H-1B advantage.

18 min read·May 20, 2026

Studying in the United States on an F-1 visa comes with strict rules—and valuable work opportunities. These student-visa guides explain how to maintain your status through full-time enrollment, when you can work on campus, and how Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) let you gain U.S. work experience.

We also cover the 24-month STEM OPT extension, the Form I-983 training plan and employer requirements, grace periods, and how students often move from F-1 to an H-1B work visa or a green card. Use these articles to plan your time in the U.S., and confirm the details with your DSO and a licensed immigration lawyer.

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