USA Visa & Immigration Routes Hub Guide: F-1, CPT, OPT, STEM OPT & H-1B

Executive Summary: The Complete US Immigration Pathway

Navigating United States immigration as an international student requires a clear understanding of legal status transitions across your 5 to 7 year journey.

This Hub combines:

1. Parent & Student Master Roadmap: Explains each visa status, legal work hour limits, and transition rules in plain English.

Parent & Student Roadmap: The 5 US Visa Stages

1. F-1 Student Visa: Non-immigrant student visa allowing 20 hrs/week on-campus work during studies (F1 Student Visa Master Guide).
2. Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Paid off-campus summer internships after completing 9 months of full-time study (CPT Internship Rules).
3. OPT & 24-Month STEM Extension: 36 months (3 full years) of full-time post-graduation work rights for STEM graduates (OPT STEM OPT Extension).
4. H-1B Work Visa: Specialty occupation work visa selected via annual lottery or cap-exempt employers (H1b Lottery Cap Exempt).
5. Permanent Residency (Green Card): Permanent resident status via EB-2 NIW, EB-1A, or traditional PERM (Green Card EB2 NIW Pathways).

Next Steps for Students & Parents

1. Review F-1 student visa master guide: F-1 Student Visa Master Guide.
2. Learn how CPT internships work: CPT Internship Rules & Eligibility Guide.
3. Review post-graduation STEM OPT work rights: OPT & 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Guide.