International Students Weigh in on Visa Issues
By Ann Lucas, Partner OB, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: News
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For EC students, recruiting and the associated stress of deciding on where to go after graduation is just on the horizon. To make the epic decision on which job to accept, many HBS students will weigh compensation, lifestyle, and location. For some international students who wish to stay in the US, visa issues are also an important factor.
Many international students at HBS are currently on an F-1 student visa or a J-1 exchange visitor visa, which allows them to work during the summer between their RC and EC years on the Curricular Practical Training or Academic Training programs, respectively. These programs are meant to complement one's studies through applicable work experience and to make hiring international students relatively painless since companies do not need to sponsor a work visa. (Indeed, all of the paperwork is taken care by the students and the Harvard International Office.). Florent Catu (OI), who found his job at Neolane, a Paris-based start-up launching its operations in the U.S., through intensive networking, says that with his F-1 visa, "it was really easy. I have worked here at three different points in my life and I have found that if you follow the procedures, everything does work out." He adds, "HBS makes it easy to come here as an international student." Carlos Roman (OB) had an equally positive experience working at British Petroleum in Chicago this summer. Roman says that, "recruiters at BP had no problem and made it easy to work under the CPT." However, he noted that some US-based companies do not recruit international students but says, "I don't have a problem with that."
Upon graduation, F-1 and J-1 visa holders have the possibility of working in the U.S. for between 12-18 months on the Optional Practical Training or Academic Training programs. However, after this time period, employers are required to sponsor an H-1B visa, a controversial non-immigrant visa category that allows highly skilled foreigners (like HBS graduates) to work in the U.S. However, with the quota of granted H-1B visas dwindling (While 116,927 H-1Bs were issued in 2005, the quota was cut 65,000 H-1B visas for FY 2006) while demand still remains strong, this may pose some difficulties for international students seeking to work in the U.S. after graduation.
Many international students at HBS are currently on an F-1 student visa or a J-1 exchange visitor visa, which allows them to work during the summer between their RC and EC years on the Curricular Practical Training or Academic Training programs, respectively. These programs are meant to complement one's studies through applicable work experience and to make hiring international students relatively painless since companies do not need to sponsor a work visa. (Indeed, all of the paperwork is taken care by the students and the Harvard International Office.). Florent Catu (OI), who found his job at Neolane, a Paris-based start-up launching its operations in the U.S., through intensive networking, says that with his F-1 visa, "it was really easy. I have worked here at three different points in my life and I have found that if you follow the procedures, everything does work out." He adds, "HBS makes it easy to come here as an international student." Carlos Roman (OB) had an equally positive experience working at British Petroleum in Chicago this summer. Roman says that, "recruiters at BP had no problem and made it easy to work under the CPT." However, he noted that some US-based companies do not recruit international students but says, "I don't have a problem with that."
Upon graduation, F-1 and J-1 visa holders have the possibility of working in the U.S. for between 12-18 months on the Optional Practical Training or Academic Training programs. However, after this time period, employers are required to sponsor an H-1B visa, a controversial non-immigrant visa category that allows highly skilled foreigners (like HBS graduates) to work in the U.S. However, with the quota of granted H-1B visas dwindling (While 116,927 H-1Bs were issued in 2005, the quota was cut 65,000 H-1B visas for FY 2006) while demand still remains strong, this may pose some difficulties for international students seeking to work in the U.S. after graduation.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Bill Gates
posted 10/01/07 @ 4:11 PM EST
1. Every foreign student signs an attestation that he/she is coming to the U.S. *ONLY* to study and that he/she will return home at the completion of those studies. (Continued…)
Bruce de la Vega
posted 10/01/07 @ 5:55 PM EST
4. Hundreds of H-1B visas were approved for people without the equivalent of a US high school diploma in each recent year for which data are available. (Continued…)
Mohammed Aadil
posted 10/11/07 @ 11:14 AM EST
Bill: I myself am an International student and I dont remember any such kind of attestation. Also, would you please define "highly skilled" and "speciality occupations". (Continued…)
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