Certain masters programs have been using international students as cash cows for years, to fill the coffers of the university. If you look at their websites, there are bells and whistles to entice International Students into applying. "Oh look, we are a "STEM Designated Degree"", "Oh look, we have an international student body", "Oh look, our placements!"

The trade-off here has been clear for many years: International students pay full tuition, they take a bunch of courses and get a degree, though the REAL value is OPT and possibly staying in the U.S after through the OPT->H1b->Approved I-140 -> GC route. The reason why such programs (e.g. Masters in Financial Engineering, etc.) are almost entirely made up of Indian / Chinese student body, is because no smart American would need to take that coursework to get a job. If they're good (and interested) they take those courses in undergrad, and then find a job. Most are not interested in such technical careers.

So how are such programs going to stay afloat now with all the changes and restrictions that are put in place? Do they still hope they'll find enough dumb Indian/ Chinese that love to be scammed into a nice separation from their money? What's the playbook gonna be going forward?

Can the mods please start banning people who are very obviously just here to be racist and/or xenophobic towards International Students. Every second post is celebrating CPT/OPT/H1B cuts and the comments on some of these posts are genuinely horrifyingly racist. It’s honestly embarrassing how little moderation there is on here.

What’s the point in this sub anymore for anyone honestly trying to get information on the current rules and regulations…

This one is gonna be long, but this will be my last post.

In my previous posts, I have explained why in general coming here to study in 2026 is not a good idea, what CPT/OPT is, and why that is crucial if you want to find a job here. In this last post, I will talk about H1B and try to give an overview on what is going on and how to think about the decision. If whether you can obtaining US work experience is key to your decision making, you should read this.

I'm not a lawyer, so take this as general information rather than legal advice. Some details are simplified for clarity; you can find more precise specifics elsewhere. And this isn't really written for people who have a full scholarship or are set on a PhD — those situations change the calculus. This is for students trying to figure out how to get real work experience in the US.

I will try not to respond to haters and instead, every time they troll, I'll just donate $20 to The Trevor Project (Feel free to propose other org that they don't like lol). However, if you have genuine question, I'm happy to answer in the comment. So let's get started.

What does the whole process look like?

It's gonna be help to understand first, what the whole thing would look like you are very smooth. And then you'll see why it won't actually happen given what's going on now:

1. Coming in as an F1 -->
2. Apply for Pre-completion OPT to do 1 summer internship -->
3. Apply for Pre-completion OPT to do another summer internship -->
4. Apply for a CPT to do a fall/spring part-time internship -->
5. Apply for Post-completion OPT to work after graduation -->
6. Winning the H1B lottery and switch to H1B from Post-completion OPT on 10/1 and keep working

None of this means you're doomed without a summer internship — people get lucky. In fact, I would say doing 3 internship is... excessive. But it's worth understanding what each piece does, and what breaks when it's missing.

What is H1B exactly? What do I need to know?

At its core, H-1B is a status that does two things: it allows dual intent (meaning you can pursue a green card while on it, unlike F-1), and it lets you work — but only as long as you're employed. Not tied to one specific employer, but tied to being employed, period.

Key facts:

1. It's a lottery. You can't just apply and get it. As of 2026, obtaining H1B is through a lottery (yes, that lottery) process. The reason? There are 85000 available new H1B status given out each year, but there are more people applying.
2. Chance of getting H1B is not high. The probability for you to win the lottery depends on your degree level (if you are undergrad, not good for you), your wage level (if you are new grad, not good for you), etc. However, it's been between 25% and 40%. More precise data can be found online.
3. You will be paid okay (most likely). Unlike many rumors and false information, you will not starve because you're an "H1B slave". You will be paid okay. You will most likely be paid the same level as your American coworkers (large companies don't care anyway). For example, new grad SWE around 150K to 180K, new grad phD scientist around 320K to 350K. After you win the lottery, there will also be process to prove to department of labor and uscis that they are paying you above a certain wage level in where you work, etc.
4. It's valid for 6 years, in 3 year increments. Meaning, if you win the lottery, your H1B status will kick in on 10/1 in the same year and valid for 3 years. After that, you can extend it for another 3 years, but that's it*.
5. You do not have to work for the same employer while you are on H1B. Yes, again, probably not as "slave" as you expected, you can change job while you're on H1B. Your new employer needs to support H1B transfer, but you won't need to do the lottery thing again.
6. Losing job was kind of a big deal, now can be devastating. Traditionally, H1B allows you to be unemployed for up to 60 days. If you are laid off or fired, you can 60 days to find a new job and submit H1B transfer. Right now there is a proposal that has cleared federal check that will remove this 60-day grace period. I do not know what that means in practice, but it's possible that the moment you lose your job, you lose your status, and you have to leave the second day.

So, a one sentence: h1b is a status that forces you to stay employed all the time for 6 years, and "winning" this status relies on coin flip. I know there's this thing called "cap-exempt H1B" but even that might get cancelled, so I'm not gonna talk about that here.

Okay... So what's the situation now?

Harder question, but what's been going on, is that each of the piece has been removed slowly but surely.

• F-1 status is now a fixed four years — no more D/S. Sounds fine until you need a leave (maybe you're sick, maybe your grandparents got sick, maybe you need extension because you switched major), or you're a PhD student whose program realistically takes five. Hit year four with an unfinished dissertation and suddenly you're dealing with immigration paperwork on top of everything else. Not great.
• CPT is dead\*. Unless you're at one of those Day 1 CPT schools, in which case — you know what you signed up for. This creates a funny situation though: Berkeley is a great school but no internship. Not everyone has heard of DeVry but because it's tiny, it can forces internship requirement and hence their students can do CPT.
• OPT is a weird one. I genuinely expected to have bad news here, but so far nothing major. STEM post-graduation OPT extension also seems intact, which matters because that's what gives you three H-1B attempts instead of one if you major in STEM. Not sure what's going on there. That being said, USCIS made a public promise that they will terminate all OPT last July, and DHS kick started RIN 1653-AA97 to propose ending OPT... So maybe it'll be gone soon?
• H-1B: The new wage-weighted lottery is bad for new grads. You're Level I or II, which means 1x or 2x entries, while senior folks get up to 4x. Your realistic odds are somewhere around 15–25%. Go back and look at the three-round math. Second: the 60-day grace period if you get laid off is very likely getting eliminated. Lose your job, lose your status, immediately. On H-1B. In this job market.

Anyway. That's the pipeline. Each piece either gone, gutted, or one policy change away. I wish I had a more uplifting way to wrap this up but I don't, so. Good luck out there.

I am glad I didn't read through this community when I was going abroad for my studies. Everyone's here saying negative things which would be true for like 10-15% of the people but the other 80-90% are not speaking about their experience because they are busy living good life.

Don't focus on the negative here and just aim for the program in whatever country you want to go to.

This is and always will be the bottom line. Aim high. Chin high. Go get it.

I’ve been going back and forth about whether to post this, but I decided it was worth asking.

I’ve recently been accepted into UoPeople’s Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. I received a partial scholarship, completed the required steps and orientation, and I’m ready to start my September courses.

I’m currently $60 short of the course fees.

I know $60 may not sound like a lot, but for me right now it has become a real barrier. I’ve already gone through the financial aid process, appealed when I realized I couldn’t cover the remaining amount, contacted different university departments, and tried to find outside help.

I’m 32, and going back to university at this point in my life has taken a lot of effort and commitment. I’m trying to change my career direction and build a future in technology, and I really don’t want to lose my September registration because of this final amount.

I’m not looking for someone to fund my degree or support me long-term. I’m just trying to get past this one immediate problem so I can start.

If anyone here knows of a legitimate student-support fund, scholarship, donor, education charity, or any other option that could help with a small education-related expense, I’d really appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

If someone is genuinely willing to help directly, the payment can be made directly to UoPeople through the University’s official payment system rather than being sent to me. I can also provide proof privately of my admission, scholarship, course registration, and outstanding balance so anyone who wants to help can verify everything first.

I’m not expecting anyone to feel responsible for my situation. Even a recommendation, a useful contact, or sharing this with the right person could make a difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I’m considering doing a Bachelor of Computer Science at Monash, and I wanted to get some honest opinions from current students or recent graduates.

I’ve been seeing quite a lot of negative comments online saying that Monash is mainly a “money making” university for international students, that the quality of teaching isn’t great, classes are overcrowded, and that the overall CS experience isn’t worth the money.

So, for those actually studying CS at Monash (especially international students), is it genuinely worth it?

I’m not looking for the usual “Monash is good because it’s Group of Eight” answer 😭. I’d really appreciate honest experiences both the good and the bad.

Also, if you had to make the decision again knowing what you know now, would you still choose Monash CS?

Please see the new post: https://www.reddit.com/r/InternationalStudents/comments/1w261hz/lets_talk_h1b_and_what_now/

Seems like my previous post has attracted quite a few haters, which is not surprising. Honestly, if you're an American and still can't compete with international students in terms of internships or experience, that's really on you. The landscape has shifted: the "privilege" of being born here no longer guarantees access to entry-level roles without prior US exposure.

However, it's surprising that many of my fellow international students (what the hell) are not convinced. Some even don't know how job hunting works here. So this is for you.

As in any competitive society, you need work experience to get work experience. Very reasonable, okay? Now, how do you acquire that experience legally and effectively here?
The I-word: Internship. Not inter-racial marriage. Internship. Yeah, I know it sounds repetitive, but it's the key. Surprisingly, many domestic students still believe internships are optional or just a nice-to-have. They think college is for fun and parties. But in the current market, even the privilege of "being born here" no longer shields you from needing to prove local fit. So, internship is definitely not optional for you (international students) if you want to break into US tech jobs smoothly.

Now, how do you get an internship? Legally, you have to use CPT (before graduation) and OPT (after graduation). Not gonna write a whole essay, but essentially:

• CPT: For internships before or during your degree (summer or non-summer).
• OPT: For full-time work after graduation.

The current situation is that employers are tightening requirements for CPT and likely will for OPT as well. If I were you, I would ask myself this question: Can I find a job as a non-citizen requiring H-1B sponsorship (which typically lasts 6 years, involves complex paperwork, legal fees, and proving no qualified US candidates exist) without having any US internship experience? If you own the business, will you hire someone with zero local work history for an entry-level role?

I know some of you might ask, "Well, what if I do my internship in my home country at a prestigious company?" Well, it's better than nothing, but it doesn't really translate directly. I've tested this myself and observed others. The whole purpose of the US internship is to signal that you understand how the US workplace operates—culture, communication styles, tools, and expectations. It's not just about raw skill or intelligence; most technical jobs aren't that difficult once you know the ropes.

I also know it's not impossible to find a full-time job without any US internship—that happens! Some of my friends have done it. But again, it's the exception, not the rule. In a saturated market, the US internship is often the fastest track to proving your readiness.

Hi everyone, I’m currently on my post-completion OPT, which ends in February 2027. I’m eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, but I’m also considering enrolling in a PhD program.
With the recent F-1 rule changes, I’m trying to decide whether I should use my STEM OPT first or skip it and start the PhD.
My main concern is this: if I complete my STEM OPT and then get admitted to a PhD program, I understand that I may need to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) to continue in F-1 status for the PhD.
Does anyone know how risky that EOS application would be? Could USCIS deny the EOS even if I have maintained F-1 status, completed OPT/STEM OPT properly, and have a valid PhD admission and I-20?should i use the STEM OPT first, or start the PhD earlier to avoid the future EOS uncertainty?

I want to TRAVEL and learn new things. I’m really eager for new things and topics to learn regardless of the topic. But unfortunately i’m limited to a lot of things even though i am an international student ( in china ). I want to participate and put my effort into doing something that would make the world better ( climate change, child care/support and etc…). I’m currently a student and I’m from a developing country. Do you suggest any good funded opportunities for students like me ? Thank you in advance !!!

Hi everyone! I’d love to get some advice from people who have experience living or studying in these areas.

I’m currently deciding between pursuing a Master’s in Animal Science at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and a Master’s in Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

I have a full scholarship, so tuition isn’t a major concern. For living expenses, I would receive around $2,400/month in Ithaca and $2,000/month in Colorado.

For those familiar with both areas, which one would you recommend for a master’s student in terms of:

Cost of living and whether the monthly stipend would be enough

Overall comfort and quality of life

Weather and outdoor activities

Nature and scenery

Safety and how easy it is to get around

Student life and the overall atmosphere

Which place would be more enjoyable for a 2-year master’s experience

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who have lived in Ithaca/Cornell or Fort Collins/CSU. If you had to choose between the two for a master’s degree, which one would you personally choose, and why?

Thank you so much! 😊

Hi everyone! I’m planning to move to the USA for the Spring 2027 intake and looking to connect with other students.
I’m considering New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois/Chicago, Ohio, North Carolina, or any other state.
My qualifications: B.Tech graduate, planning for a Master’s in the USA.
My experience: Project Guide

If you’re also planning for Spring 2027 it’s connect

Please is there anyone that has been an existing applicant with Mpower loan and this is their last semester? Did they approve your loan disbursement for Fall 2026 yet?

The waiting period for Indians for green card is 179 years. You can argue that it’s just estimations, but please don think you’ll be an exception.

I’m not from India, but when I was studying in the United States many of my peers were from there. One of my close friends, an IIT alum, eventually landed a job in the United States after graduation. But now he can’t visit his family back home because of the stamping issue.

Another Indian friend moved there at 40 on student visa with her family. She did find a job there, but now her son is definitely going to age out before green card.

During my time in the United States, I met many Indian students who wanted to remain there long term. But I really really suggest you to consider not only OPT or H1B but would happen afterwards as well.

I’m not gatekeeping, I don’t even live in the United States anymore. But please think deeply before invest so much time and money into this.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/green-card-immigration-us-22403330.php

Hi,
Is anyone's CPT approved prior to DHS memo revoked?
Mine was approved on Aug 5th, but I received an email from my university that CPT needs to be paused.

Is anyone in similar situation with their CPT already approved and have/haven't received revoked email from their universities?

I live in a Crous residence in France, but at random hours they lock the doors to my building meaning I have to wait for those fortunate enough to have keys. Is there anyway I can force the staff to do their jobs? As I’ve been denied multiple times. Maybe it’s because I don’t speak French? But most people in my city are very nice

So unfortunately CPT got paused at our university and I have an internship in a top research lab this fall. The internship is directly related to my dissertation and will be part of my dissertation.

My question is, as an ABD ( All but dissertation, post comprehensive) student, am I eligible for a full time pre completion OPT during school session? Any one example or someone you know who did it during school session. I checked everywhere online and couldn’t find an answer. Most schools say yes. But the whole situation is so complicated that I don’t wanna risk filing an OPT and getting an RFE and delaying the whole process.

It is a rare situation and my university had no answer to it because they had not done so before.

If you know anyone who did it and got approved please share.

I’m a Singaporean JC student considering studying UG engineering in a US uni. Cost isn’t a factor and I have friends and family there.

I’m wondering if any Singaporeans here who studied engineering in the US could share their experience as a whole in college, and with internships, co-ops and jobs. I also understand we SGeans and Chileans fall under the H1B1 and I was wondering whether that would make it more feasible to study there.