The Truth About the U.S. Dream for International Students (illusion)? 👀

From my perspective, the journey of F-1 students in the United States after graduation can often feel like navigating a complex illusion or a challenging reality. The purpose of this post is to shed light on the experiences and realities faced by international students, particularly those pursuing a Master’s degree in the U.S.

This post is intended as an educational resource for prospective students who are considering pursuing higher education in the United States. My goal is to share insights and perspectives to help others make informed decisions about their academic and professional journeys. These insights are based on my personal experiences in the U.S.

I arrived in the USA in August 2021, part of the post-COVID-19 batch pursuing an MS in Data Science at the University at Buffalo. Many of my family, friends, and colleagues had made this journey long before me, but I noticed that some of the challenges they faced were never discussed openly in blogs or media. 

During my master’s program, I was fortunate to have a smooth experience. I landed an on-campus job, which allowed me to cover my daily expenses without much difficulty. The program itself was rigorous, but I was able to complete it successfully in just 12 months. However, the real challenge began after graduation with the start of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) phase.

For those unfamiliar, OPT is a period during which international students on F-1 visas can work in the U.S. for up to 12 months (or longer with a STEM extension) in their field of study. It’s essentially a work permit issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, it comes with a critical caveat—this Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is not valid for reentry to the U.S.

  

This phase is a pivotal point in many international students' journeys, where the transition from academics to industry begins. While OPT provides a valuable opportunity, it also brings a host of challenges, such as navigating visa limitations, job market pressures, and the uncertainty of securing long-term sponsorship.

Two different OPTs are issued by USCIS:

1. Initial OPT: Navigating the First Work Permit

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) work permit is a crucial phase for international students. The initial OPT is valid for only 12 months, and once your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you have just 60 days to secure a job. Failure to start work within this timeframe results in the cancellation of your status, meaning you can no longer work legally in the U.S. This makes the initial OPT period particularly stressful and high-stakes for many.

Obtaining work authorization isn’t free. The cost varies from university to university, typically ranging from $500 to $1,000, and opting for premium processing adds an extra $1,500. These expenses can add to the financial strain on international students.

The Role of Desi Consultancies: A Double-Edged Sword

For those struggling to secure a job on their own, many turn to Desi Consultancies—a market largely run by Indian entrepreneurs. While these consultancies can provide a pathway to employment, they often come with significant risks and challenges.

What Happens When You Work with Desi Consultancies? (not all but 90%)

👉 Offer Letter with Hidden Terms:

Consultancies often provide an offer letter, but it typically requires you to accept terms and conditions that are not fully transparent. Once you sign, you’re bound by these hidden terms.

👉 Short-Term Contracts with Uncertain Pay:

If you’re lucky, the consultancy might onboard you for a 2-6 month contract project. However, you’ll face several limitations:

    - You may not know your exact hourly pay rate

    - Pay structures often follow a 70:30 split (with 30% retained by the consultancy).

    - Contracts lack job security and can be terminated within days, weeks, or months without warning.

👉 Fake Profiles and Fraudulent Practices:

If you’re unlucky, some consultancies may direct you toward fraudulent practices to secure employment. These include:

    - Fake Documents: Such as resumes, LinkedIn profiles, H-1B copies, green cards, and even driving licenses for various states.

    - Proxy Support: Coding assignments, interviews, and even background checks (BGC) are sometimes completed by proxy individuals, often based in India 😇.

    - Layered Job Chains: Jobs may involve multiple intermediaries, such as:

   Your Consultancy → Desi Consultancy → Vendor (U.S. Consultancy) → Client Company 

     This layered system dilutes your pay rate, leaving you with significantly lower earnings while consultancies and vendors profit from your work.

👉 The Risks of Fake Trails: Participating in these fake trails introduces additional risks:

    - Exposure to legal consequences if fraudulent documents or practices are discovered.

    - An uncertain career trajectory with no job guarantee.

    - Limited control over your pay and employment conditions.

Below is an illustration of pay rate distribution in such layered setups:

Client Company (e.g., $100/hr) → Vendor ($90/hr) → Desi Consultancy ($70/hr) → You ($50/hr).

As you can see, the intermediary layers reduce your actual earnings significantly.

    

        - If we have support from india, another $5/hr dip.

 👉 When There's No Job Offer from a Client: The Reality for Many Students

For students unable to secure a job with a client company during their OPT period, the journey takes a very different turn. With limited time, mounting expenses, and the pressure to maintain legal status, many resort to working in unconventional and often precarious jobs. These include:

    - Convenience Stores: Often unsafe and with long hours.

    - Gas Stations: Safety concerns and late-night shifts are common.

    - Grocery Stores: Physical labor with little job security.

    - Restaurants: Backbreaking work, where you're often treated as cheap labor. (work like a Donkey)

    - DoorDash or Food Delivery Services: Typical earnings are around $50 per day, making it hard to cover basic living expenses.

    - Motels: Long shifts with little pay or benefits.

 Most of these jobs pay under the table at rates ranging from $7 to $10 per hour. This practice is illegal under United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines, putting students at risk of losing their legal status or facing other serious consequences.

 👉 The Turning Point: Full-Time Employment with an H-1B Visa 

For many international students, securing a full-time job with an H-1B visa sponsorship marks the pinnacle of their U.S. dream. Once this milestone is reached, 90% of the challenges faced during OPT and the job search period are resolved. The H-1B not only provides work authorization but also a sense of stability, paving the way for potential career growth and, in some cases, a path to permanent residency. But it's not that easy. 

2. STEM OPT Extension: A Second Chance, but Not Without Challenges:

For F-1 students in STEM fields, the STEM OPT Extension offers an additional 24 months of work authorization after the initial 12-month OPT period. While this extension provides a longer window to secure career opportunities, it comes with its own set of costs, timelines, and challenges.

👉Application Process and Costs

To apply for the STEM OPT Extension, you’ll need to pay the EAD application fee to USCIS again. The cost is the same as for the initial OPT, typically ranging from $500 to $1,000, depending on your university’s processes. Additional costs, like premium processing fees, may apply if you’re pressed for time or need to expedite the process.

    

👉 Continuing with the Same Client or Consultancy

If you’re able to stay with your current client or consultancy, the transition to the STEM OPT Extension is relatively smooth. However, changing jobs during this period can introduce complications:

    - You’ll need to secure a new role within 90 days of your STEM OPT start date.

    - Failure to onboard with a new employer within this window results in the loss of your work permit status.

👉 Continuing with the Same Client or Consultancy

Many students aspire to transition from contract work (often through consultancies) to full-time roles directly with U.S. companies. However, this shift is far from easy. Some of the key challenges include:

    - Limited Opportunities: Many employers hesitate to sponsor visas beyond STEM OPT, making the job search even more competitive.

    - Time Pressure: The 90-day unemployment limit adds immense pressure to secure a job quickly.  

   - Documentation and Compliance: Employers must complete additional paperwork, including Form I-983, which outlines the training plan for your role. This can deter smaller companies from hiring STEM OPT candidates.

3. H-1B Visa: The High-Stakes Phase of the U.S. Dream

Securing an H-1B visa is often considered the ultimate milestone for international students in the U.S., providing the opportunity to work long-term and advance professionally. However, life on an H-1B visa isn’t without its risks and complications. One major concern is losing your job during your H-1B tenure, which can lead to significant financial and legal challenges.

👉 Losing a Job on H-1B: A Tight Deadline: If you lose your job while on an H-1B visa, the U.S. government gives you a 60-day grace period to secure a new job offer. If you fail to do so within this timeframe, your stay in the U.S. becomes illegal, and you may face deportation. This high-pressure scenario often pushes individuals into desperate measures, such as relying on consultancies to maintain their visa status.

The Reality of Working with Consultancies

For those unable to secure a new full-time job, many turn to Desi consultancies to keep their H-1B status active. However, this route comes with its own set of challenges and financial burdens:

👉 Payroll Manipulation: 

    - Consultancies may run your payroll to maintain your H-1B status, but often in questionable ways.       - They might deposit a paycheck in your account to show employment on paper, but require you to return the money in cash, leaving you with little to nothing.

👉 High Taxes Without Real Income

    - Even though the paycheck is fake, you are still responsible for paying taxes on the reported income.

    - One of my friends who went through this situation ended up paying $27,000/year in taxes while being unemployed, just to maintain their legal status.

👉 The Risks of Not Using Consultancies

If you choose not to work with a consultancy and fail to secure a job within the 60-day grace period, the consequences are severe:

    - You’ll lose your legal status in the U.S.

    - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may take action, potentially leading to deportation.

    - Leaving the U.S. abruptly could also hurt your chances of returning in the future, as immigration records retain details of overstays.

Final Thoughts:

Pursuing a master’s degree and transitioning to an H-1B visa is often considered the most common path for fulfilling the U.S. dream. However, the journey is riddled with challenges—strict timelines, financial burdens, job insecurity, and visa-related complexities. For many, maintaining legal status often becomes an exhausting process, with some even paying hefty taxes just to keep their work permit active. Overall, master's degree is worthless for Indian community, it involves financial burden. 

Given the hurdles involved, it may be worth considering alternative paths:

👉 Ph.D. Degree: Opting for a Ph.D can open up additional opportunities, such as direct eligibility for tenure-track academic roles, research positions, and better visa options, including self-sponsorship opportunities. Additionally, many Ph.D. programs offer assistantships or stipends, reducing financial strain.

👉 Green Card Through EB-2 NIW: If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for a Green Card under the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) category directly from India. This pathway doesn’t require employer sponsorship, making it a more secure option for long-term residency. Consult an experienced immigration attorney to understand the process and evaluate your eligibility.