US education facilitates easy access to H1B visa, says Dr TP Sethumadhavan
The recent proposal of the United States’ Department of Home land Security (DHS) to give priority to advanced degree holders from the US Universities for H1B visa will benefit Indian students. During 2018, out of 65,000 H1B visa sanctioned, 74 per cent applicants were from India.
The H1B is a visa in the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101(a) (15) (H) that allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. A specialty occupation requires the application of specialised knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent of work experience. Laws limit the number of H-1B visas that are issued each year.
The H1B visa is the job visa for students from countries other than United States. Visa holder will get all benefits, including better pay and allowances. Moreover, they will get the opportunity to progress towards green card and citizenship in future as the case may be.
Under H1B visa, technocrats, scientists, doctors, accountants, engineers, veterinarians and teachers can work in the US. Science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing and management are some of the prospective sectors which gain more H1B visas.
Recently, more and more Indian students have started pursuing overseas education especially in United States. South Indian students rank more in US when compared to students from North Indian States in the country.
Success in getting admission to US universities depends on environment, effort and direction. If the student has a keen interest, good aptitude, attitude and a set goal, it is easy to get admission. The right choice and involvement coupled with appropriate decision-making process facilitates success in US education
Advanced degrees from US
Internationally, our graduate programmes are undergraduate programmes and our post graduate programme will come under graduate programmes. Under advanced degree from US Universities, it can be graduate, honours, higher degree, post graduate or doctoral programmes. Compared to other Asian countries, more Indian students are pursuing advanced degree programmes in United States.
Proposed rule will facilitate for advanced degree holders from the US Universities to get priority in getting H1B visa up to first 20,000 level. DHS published the draft rule on December 3 and will be finalised by December 31, 2018. It will come into effect from 2019 onwards.
Admission process
Students interested in the US education after graduation from India require one-year homework for the admission process. They can start the preparation from final year onwards. Preparation of bio-data in two pages and applying for passport are the preliminary steps for pursuing education abroad.
The US universities offer courses during winter (January to February) and falls (September to October) semesters. Indian students can pursue for admission during fall semester. Students are required to clear Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with better test scores.
Review of bio-data will create impression about the student among the US universities. So, they need to prepare the bio data in an attractive manner with a font size of 11 in Times New Roman. Filled-in application requires a statement of purpose from the students and two recommendation letters from referees. Referees can be senior faculty members who can judge about the abilities and skill of the students.
Initially, a student can apply for four to five universities. Project works, internships, work experience, extra-curricular activities and publications will get additional scores during the admission process. Two or three universities will offer admission based on test scores.
Again, pursue them for funding options like fellowship, scholarship or assistantship. Students can do part time work up to 20 hours per week to support their studies. Students aspiring for US education will get more information from United States India Education Foundation (USIEF).
Prometric India is conducting GRE and TOEFL/ IELTS tests. Test preparation requires minimum three months period. Students can take the examination date three months ahead and start preparation. Since the examination fee is high, it is preferable to appear for the examination on the prefixed dates. Postponement of examination requires additional minimum 40 dollars.
Various textbooks, apps, online coaching and software’s facilitate the students for examination preparation. Test prep platform Kaplan offers excellent text book series. For more details visit, www.prometricindia.com, www.gre.org and www.toefl.org.
Success in getting admission to US universities depends on environment, effort and direction. If the student has a keen interest, aptitude, attitude and goal, it is easy to get admission. The right choice and involvement coupled with appropriate decision-making process to facilitate success in US education.
The writer is education & career consultant, director, UL education.
