Studying in USA can be a costly affair. However, crafting a smart budget plan can help manage your living expenses more effectively. The education cost of a public/state university is much lesser as compared to private institutions. The tuition fee expenses depend on the kind of qualified university or school you opt for. Approximately $8000 to $55000 USD a year is needed to cover the tuition fees. Courses on Humanities, arts are cheaper, while medicine and engineering are more expensive. For a postgraduate level, tuition fees are typically higher and expensive. The below chart enumerates the costs and expenditures for the programs.

International students can work in USA while studying.

Below are a few work opportunities for international students in USA.

• On-Campus Employment. One of the most popular choices for international students is working on campus. …
• Off-Campus Employment. Anything not affiliated with a university is called an off-campus job. …
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) …
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)

 Foreign students who have an F-1 and M-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus and in specified training programs. Students are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, the international students enrolled full-time and in valid F-1 status can generally work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during when classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not. The on-campus are highly student-oriented intending to develop their skills and talents. They comprise of working in the library, cafeteria, or student center.

The students can acquire employment off-campus only after completing their first academic year through programs that are specifically designed for international students. Some of those courses are Optional Practical Training (OPT), Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension, and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

For H1B visa holder students, there is a range of job opportunities in the country. Various openings can be availed such as Accountants and Auditors, Architects, Biologists, Budget and Management Analysts, Chemists, Civil Engineers, College and University Educators, and many more. Any H1B holder is eligible to apply for a green card. All you need to know  is that the students must follow the steps guided by authorities from PERM certification, Form I=140 to Form I-485. The students need to be prepared anywhere from between 6 months to 2 years of transition from an H1B holder to a green card holder. The PERM Certificate takes 6 to 18 months. For I-140 approval, it depends upon the priority date and the country of origin.

At the initial level, some of the most basic jobs pay approximately $7 to $9 per hour. The higher the skills, the more shall be the pay with a maximum limit of up to $15-20 per hour. International students are allowed to work for up to 40 hours per week. You can also opt to work overtime, depending on the kind of job you are doing.

Being an F1 student visa holder, an international student can complete up to a year of temporary employment directly related to their major field of study. F1 visa holders can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing their studies. The post-study work visa in USA allows international students 60 days after the completion of their study and training to depart from the USA.

The Optional Practical Training program permits international students who study in USA to work temporarily for up to 12 months. OPT can be completed both before or after completing your studies. An international student completing degrees in science, engineering,  technology, and mathematics (STEM) is eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. Curricular Practical Training program temporarily allows international students to gain work experience directly related to their major through employment, via paid or unpaid internships, or cooperative education

For international students, to live and work in the US on a permanent basis, they must become a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). An individual may apply for Permenent Residency in the United States via various means such as obtaining sponsorship by a US citizen or permanent resident relative.

The OPT curriculum allows students to stay back in USA after their study completion. All you need to do is get authorization from the USCIS and also from the international student office of the school. Under the OPT program, the student is allowed to work for 12 months once he completes his course in USA.

In addition, an H1B holder can apply for a PR by following the US guidelines. The H1B visa is a dual-intent visa. Hence, those who hold it are eligibile to permanent residency by applying for a green card.

Although IELTS is quite a mandatory requirement to study in the USA, there are a multitude of universities that provide selected programs that you can apply to without IELTS scores. These universities include California State University, University of Dayton, University of North Texas, Northwood University, amongst others.

IELTS is not a mandatory requirement for a USA student visa for those who have completed an international baccalaureate or previous studies from an English-speaking country.

From language proficiency exams to program-specific tests, the exam requirements to study in the USA varies as per the course you have chosen.Mostly, IELTS/TOEFL is required apart from some universities while GMAT and GRE are needed to select postgraduate programs.

You can use the below checklist just to ensure that all your supporting documents are available to make the most of your appointment and the application.

• Passport.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
• Transcript.
• Marksheets and pass certificates.
• Letters of Recommendation.
• SAT/TOEFL/GRE/Gmat Entrance exam scorecards.
• Statement of Purpose.
• Experience letters.

Apply Robin provides a smooth and seamless student visa service. We have made the whole process hassle-free with exclusive student services. From application to departure at your desired study location, we make the students’ experience easy and memorable. Take a look at the below process:

1. Student Counselling For University Selection
2. Application Form Filling
3. Documentation Support
4. Follow-up With the University
5. Making Payment to the University
6. Get the Final Acceptance Letter
7. Visa-Support
8. Post Visa – Pre Departure Assistance

The below steps are needed to be followed to get your USA student visa:

1.Get an acceptance letter from Recognized USA University

Apply for a visa once you receive an acceptance letter from a University in the USA

2. Take an appointment with your local consulate

Make your application in person from your nearest USA embassy or consulate. If possible, book an appointment online

3. Finish your application and provide documents

While you attend your visa appointment you must complete and sign a visa application, submit it with the necessary documents (as listed below)

4. Wait for the decision

The visa application process can take between 4 to 8 weeks or more in case of applying for a USA visa. You can track the progress of your application on the Irish visa office/embassy/consulate

5. Apply for the residence permit

Soon after you arrive in USA, you will need to apply for a residence permit within one month.

The estimated living cost for the US is around $10000 to $18000 per year, which averages around $1000 to $1500 per month. This includes your accommodation costs, room, and board, food, travel, textbooks, weather-appropriate clothing, and entertainment expenses as well.

The below table elaborates the average cost of living incurred on a monthly basis in USA for international students