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Post Studies VISA Comparison - Detailed

Comparison of Post Studies Work VISA for major Education Hubs.

Each country has its own rules and regulations regarding post-study work visas for international students. Here is a comparison of the post-study work visa options in the USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, and Canada:

  1. USA: In the USA, international students have the option to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work in the country for up to 12 months after graduation. There are also several visa options for highly skilled workers, such as the H-1B visa, which may be applicable to some students after graduation.

  2. UK: In the UK, international students can apply for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa or a Tier 2 visa if they have a job offer from a UK employer. The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa allows students to start their own business and stay in the country for up to two years. The Tier 2 visa allows students to work for a UK employer for up to five years.

  3. Australia: In Australia, international students can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) after graduation. This visa allows students to stay in the country for up to two years and work or look for work. Some students may also be eligible for other visa options, such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).

  4. Singapore: In Singapore, international students can apply for a Work Pass after graduation if they have a job offer from a Singaporean employer. The Work Pass allows students to work in the country for a period of up to two years, and may be renewable if the student remains employed.

  5. Canada: In Canada, international students have the option to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after graduation. This permit allows students to work in the country for up to three years, depending on the length of their study program. Students may also be eligible for other visa options, such as the International Experience Canada (IEC) program or the Express Entry system.

Each country's post-study work visa options have different eligibility criteria and requirements, so it's important to research and understand the specifics of each country before making a decision.

Different Types of Work VISA in different countries

Here is a detailed explanation of the different types of post-study work visas available in the USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, and Canada:

  • USA:

a) Optional Practical Training (OPT): This is a type of post-study work visa that allows international students to work in the USA for up to 12 months after graduation. The work must be directly related to the student's major field of study.

b) H-1B visa: This is a type of visa for highly skilled workers. International students may be eligible for the H-1B visa after graduation if they have a job offer from a US employer. The visa allows the holder to work in the USA for up to three years, with the possibility of renewing the visa for an additional three years.

  • UK:

a) Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa: This visa is for international students who want to start their own business in the UK after graduation. The visa allows the holder to stay in the country for up to two years. b) Tier 2 visa: This visa is for international students who have a job offer from a UK employer. The visa allows the holder to work for the UK employer for up to five years.


  • Australia:

a) Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485): This is a type of post-study work visa that allows international students to stay in Australia for up to two years after graduation and work or look for work.


b) Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS): This is a type of visa for international students who have a job offer from an Australian employer in a specific skilled occupation. The visa allows the holder to work in Australia for an indefinite period of time.


c) Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS): This is a type of visa for international students who have a job offer from an Australian employer in a designated regional area. The visa allows the holder to work in Australia for an indefinite period of time.


  • Singapore:


a) Work Pass: This is a type of post-study work visa that allows international students to work in Singapore after graduation if they have a job offer from a Singaporean employer. The visa allows the holder to work in the country for up to two years, and may be renewable if the student remains employed.


  • Canada:


a) Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): This is a type of post-study work visa that allows international students to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation, depending on the length of their study program.


b) International Experience Canada (IEC): This is a type of visa for young people from participating countries who want to travel and work in Canada for up to two years.


c) Express Entry: This is a system that manages applications for several economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. International students who have graduated from a Canadian institution may be eligible to apply for Express Entry and gain permanent residency in Canada.


It's important to note that each country's post-study work visa options have different eligibility criteria and requirements, so it's important to research and understand the specifics of each country before making a decision. Which of these countries has most liberal post studies work visa program It's difficult to say which country has the most liberal post-study work visa program as it can vary based on a number of factors such as the specific visa type, the individual's field of study, their job offer, and their personal circumstances. However, some countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK have relatively more open post-study work visa programs compared to other countries.

In Canada, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program allows international students to work for up to three years after graduation, depending on the length of their study program. The International Experience Canada (IEC) program also provides opportunities for young people to travel and work in Canada for up to two years.

In Australia, the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) allows international students to stay in the country for up to two years after graduation and work or look for work. Additionally, the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) allow international students to work in Australia for an indefinite period of time if they have a job offer from an Australian employer.

In the UK, the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa allows international students who want to start their own business in the UK to stay in the country for up to two years. The Tier 2 visa allows international students who have a job offer from a UK employer to work for the employer for up to five years.

It's important to note that the specifics of each country's post-study work visa programs can change over time, so it's essential to research and stay updated on the most current information before making a decision. USA : VISA Types for Work In the United States, the eligibility for various types of visas can depend on a number of factors, including one's field of study, job offer, and personal circumstances. Here are some of the key visa types and eligibility criteria:

  1. F-1 Visa: This visa is for international students who are pursuing academic studies in the United States. To be eligible for an F-1 visa, an individual must be enrolled in an accredited school, have sufficient financial support to cover their educational and living expenses, and prove that they have no intention of abandoning their foreign residency.

  2. OPT (Optional Practical Training): This is a post-study work visa that allows F-1 visa holders to work in their field of study for up to one year after graduation. To be eligible for OPT, an individual must have a job offer in their field of study and must have completed a certain amount of academic study in the United States.

  3. STEM OPT Extension: This extension allows international students who have completed a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree to work in their field for an additional two years beyond their standard OPT period.

  4. H-1B Visa: This visa is for international workers who have a job offer from a US employer in a specialty occupation. To be eligible for an H-1B visa, an individual must have a bachelor's degree or higher in their field, a job offer from a US employer, and a Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the employer.

  5. O-1 Visa: This visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field. To be eligible for an O-1 visa, an individual must demonstrate a high level of achievement and recognition in their field, such as through awards, publications, or membership in professional organizations.

These are just a few examples of the various types of visas and eligibility criteria in the United States. It's important to note that visa requirements can change over time and vary depending on an individual's specific circumstances, so it's essential to research and stay updated on the most current information. UK : VISA Types for Work In the United Kingdom, the eligibility criteria for various types of visas can vary based on factors such as an individual's field of study, job offer, and personal circumstances. Here are some of the key visa types and eligibility criteria:

  1. Tier 4 (Student) Visa: This visa is for international students who wish to study in the UK. To be eligible for a Tier 4 visa, an individual must be accepted into a course of study at an accredited institution, have sufficient financial support to cover their educational and living expenses, and pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

  2. Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Visa: This visa is for international graduates who have a viable business idea and wish to start a business in the UK. To be eligible for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa, an individual must have a business idea that has been endorsed by a UK endorsing body, and have sufficient funds to support themselves without relying on public funds.

  3. Tier 2 (General) Visa: This visa is for international workers who have a job offer from a UK employer in a skilled occupation. To be eligible for a Tier 2 visa, an individual must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the employer, have sufficient points under the Points-Based System (PBS), and pass the relevant immigration health surcharge.

  4. Tier 5 (Youth Mobility) Visa: This visa is for young people who wish to live and work in the UK for up to two years. To be eligible for a Tier 5 Youth Mobility visa, an individual must be a citizen of a participating country and have sufficient funds to support themselves without relying on public funds.

  5. Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa: This visa is for individuals who wish to set up or run a business in the UK. To be eligible for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, an individual must have access to at least £50,000 in investment funds, have a genuine and credible business idea, and meet the English language and maintenance requirements.

These are just a few examples of the various types of visas and eligibility criteria in the United Kingdom. It's important to note that visa requirements can change over time and vary depending on an individual's specific circumstances, so it's essential to research and stay updated on the most current information. Canada: VISA Types for Work In Canada, international students and workers have several options for post-study and post-work visas, which are designed to allow them to remain in the country after their studies or employment has ended. Here are some of the key visa types and eligibility criteria:

  1. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): This visa is for international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada and wish to work in the country after graduation. To be eligible for a PGWP, an individual must have studied full-time in Canada for at least eight months, have a valid study permit, and have graduated from a program that is at least eight months in length.

  2. Work Permit for Foreign Workers: This visa is for foreign workers who have a job offer from a Canadian employer. To be eligible for a work permit, an individual must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, meet the requirements of the immigration laws of Canada, and have a positive labour market impact assessment from Employment Canada.

  3. Express Entry: This visa is for skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Canada permanently. To be eligible for Express Entry, an individual must have a job offer or a nomination from a Canadian province or territory, meet the criteria for one of the federal immigration programs, and score a minimum number of points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

  4. Start-Up Visa: This visa is for entrepreneurs who wish to start a business in Canada. To be eligible for a Start-Up Visa, an individual must have a business idea that has been endorsed by a designated organization, have sufficient funds to support themselves, and meet the language requirements.

These are just a few examples of the various types of visas and eligibility criteria in Canada. It's important to note that visa requirements can change over time and vary depending on an individual's specific circumstances, so it's essential to research and stay updated on the most current information.

Australia: VISA Types for Work In Australia, there are several types of visas available for international students and workers who wish to remain in the country after their studies or employment have ended. Here are some of the key visa types and eligibility criteria:

  1. Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485): This visa allows international students who have graduated from an Australian educational institution to work and live in Australia temporarily. To be eligible for this visa, an individual must have completed a qualifying Australian course and have received a positive assessment from the relevant assessing authority for their occupation.

  2. Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189): This visa is for skilled workers who have been nominated by an Australian employer or have been invited to apply through the SkillSelect program. To be eligible for this visa, an individual must have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), meet the points-test requirements, and meet other eligibility criteria such as age, English language proficiency, and work experience.

  3. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (Subclass 186): This visa is for skilled workers who have been nominated by an Australian employer for a permanent position in the country. To be eligible for this visa, an individual must have a job offer from an Australian employer and meet the eligibility criteria for the ENS program.

  4. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (Subclass 187): This visa is for skilled workers who have been sponsored by an employer in a regional area of Australia. To be eligible for this visa, an individual must have a job offer from an Australian employer in a regional area and meet the eligibility criteria for the RSMS program.

These are just a few examples of the various types of visas and eligibility criteria in Australia. It's important to note that visa requirements can change over time and vary depending on an individual's specific circumstances, so it's essential to research and stay updated on the most current information.

Singapore : VISA Types for Work In Singapore, international students and workers who wish to remain in the country after their studies or employment have ended have several visa options available to them. Here are some of the key visa types and eligibility criteria:

  1. Work Pass: This is the primary visa for foreign workers in Singapore. To be eligible for this visa, an individual must have a job offer from a Singapore-based employer and meet the requirements for the specific type of Work Pass (such as the Employment Pass, S Pass, or Personalized Employment Pass).

  2. Entrepreneur Pass: This visa is for entrepreneurs and startup owners who wish to start and run a business in Singapore. To be eligible for this visa, an individual must have a business plan that demonstrates their ability to start and run a successful company in the country.

  3. Long-Term Visit Pass: This visa is for individuals who wish to stay in Singapore for an extended period of time for personal or family reasons. To be eligible for this visa, an individual must have a sponsor in Singapore and meet the requirements for the Long-Term Visit Pass.

  4. Student's Pass: This visa is for international students who are enrolled in a full-time course of study in Singapore. To be eligible for this visa, an individual must have a letter of acceptance from an educational institution in Singapore and meet the requirements for the Student's Pass.

These are just a few examples of the various types of visas and eligibility criteria in Singapore. It's important to note that visa requirements can change over time and vary depending on an individual's specific circumstances, so it's essential to research and stay updated on the most current information.


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