All the students want to have education in USA because US Degree is recognized all over the world. But, American Education is not so cheap that everybody can afford it. With some exceptions, students from Asia, Africa, East Europe and South America take a huge loan from banks or sell their properties such as land, home to come to USA and have education here. They have in their mind that they can earn money in USA to pay off their bank loan or retake their land or home and also make money for further studies. But the reality is something different.
When international students come to USA, they carry money with them for tuition fee and living expenses at least for one semester. They would have made up their mind that they could find job and earn money for next semester.
International students usually get visa for 5 years but visa is nothing unless they have valid I-20 with them all the time. So, foreign students should be always be careful that their I-20 is not expired and make it valid when expires.
International students are not allowed to work in USA. But, they can have part time on-campus job in the university where they study. On-campus job is not so easy to get. There are thousands of students in a university and on campus job opportunities are limited and highly competitive too. If someone is really lucky, he can have on campus job 20 hours per week. International students are not allowed to work full time job. So, it is impossible to make money for study expenses with such part time jobs.
International students are not eligible to get Social Security Number (SSN) unless they get on campus job. Without SSN, they can open bank account and have driving license. When they get SSN with on-campus job, they can get credit card from banks with certain interest rate. They can withdraw money from bank ATMs to certain limits but if they withdraw money beyond limit, they need to pay higher rate of interest; e.g. 36%.
International students are not eligible to get Social Security Number (SSN) unless they get on campus job. Without SSN, they can open bank account and have driving license. When they get SSN with on-campus job, they can get credit card from banks with certain interest rate. They can withdraw money from bank ATMs to certain limits but if they withdraw money beyond limit, they need to pay higher rate of interest; e.g. 36%.
When we consider Western European countries, the situation is different. When international students get student visa in these countries, they also get work permit which allow the students to have part time job anywhere, inside or outside their schools. It makes the international students in Western Europe easy to sustain and afford further studies. But, the case in USA is different.
International students have a lot of opportunities in USA when they finish their college level studies successfully. After completing two full time semesters, they are allowed to have CPT (Curricular Practical Training) which gives temporary employment authorization but employment should relate with their studies.
After completion of studies, students are eligible for OPT (Optional Practical Training) which allows students to have study related employment for 1 year and they must get employment within 3 months after starting OPT period.
International students are allowed 60 days grace period after completion of studies or OPT to extend their stay or to prepare for departure from USA.
If the companies with whom they are working with, during OPT, like the students, they can sponsor the students and students can proceed for US green card which allow them to stay and work in USA permanently.
If the companies with whom they are working with, during OPT, like the students, they can sponsor the students and students can proceed for US green card which allow them to stay and work in USA permanently.
