External Resources

EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS

Find information below on U.S. immigration, visas, and resources.

American Immigration Council (AIC)

The AIC provides a high-level overview of the U.S. immigration system. As an international student, becoming familiar with the U.S. system will be critical to your current and future plans.

CUPA Data on H-1B visa holders in Higher Education

The College and University Professional Association (CUPA) has assembled data regarding H-1B visa holders employed in Higher Education in the U.S. Find the research here.

Higher Ed Immigration Portal

The Higher Ed Immigration Portal (the Portal) is a platform that integrates data, policy analysis, and resources to support DACA and undocumented, refugee, other immigrant, and international students. They also provide information and tools relating to employment-based visas and pathways to work in the U.S. post-graduation.

Interstride

Interstride is a web-based platform that assists international students to network with prospective employers and connect with internships and experiential work opportunities. You can find more information here, and check to see if your school is a member.

Migration Policy Institute

Founded in 2001, the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) has established itself as a leading nonpartisan, evidence-informed institution in the field of migration policy and as a source of authoritative research, learning opportunities, and new policy ideas.

MPI maintains a special commitment to work on immigration and integration policies in North America and Europe, where its two offices are located, but it also remains active around the world, and takes a global and comparative approach to migration issues when possible.

Find a recent article on international students in the U.S. here

NAFSA: Association of International Educators

NAFSA is a national organization supporting and promoting international education.

Niskanen Center: Data on F-1 and J-1 interview wait times at U.S. Consulates worldwide

Named the “The Most Interesting Think Tank in American Politics” by TIME Magazine in 2023, the Niskanen Center promotes policies that advance prosperity, opportunity, and human flourishing, guided by the belief that a free market and an effective government are mutually dependent. They have developed a useful searchable data set relating to student visa application wait times at U.S. Consulates around the world. Take a look here.

O1Pathways: Free O-1A assessment tool

This is a free online tool to help determine whether you may qualify for an O-1A visa status.

OPT Observatory

OPT (post-completion Optional Practical Training including STEM OPT) allows international students to gain initial experience related to their field of study after graduation, just like US grads, and serves as a bridge to possible H1B sponsorship later. As such, OPT is a critical part of the "front door" talent pipeline for international students and scholars completing degrees at US research universities. The OPT Observatory website developed by the Institute for Progress allows public access to a treasure trove of administrative data.

Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

This organization is an alliance of American college and university leaders dedicated to increasing public understanding of how immigration policies and practices impact international students, campuses and communities. They are proactive in support of policies that create a welcoming environment for immigrant, undocumented and international students on our campuses. They have an extensive array of informational resources for international students and scholars here.

U.S. Financial Aid Information

Assembled by Education USA, this is a searchable list of scholarships and financial aid available by School and location.

World Education Services (WES)

WES provides credentials evaluation services to foreign nationals needing to have their credentials and degrees objectively and formally evaluated. They also conduct original research on trends in student and immigrant mobility, economic inclusion, and factors that affect the ability of immigrant and refugees to successfully integrate into the workforce. WES regularly publishes reports, white papers, fact sheets, and policy recommendations based on decades of knowledge and experience.

Find more information regarding evaluation services here, and relevant research and reports here.

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U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)

SEVP is the government agency responsible for managing the regulatory compliance of international students and scholars in the U.S., and the schools, universities, and organizations that admit or sponsor them. They provide information to students and schools through their website at “Study in the States”.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

USCIS manages all benefit application requests such as changes of immigration status, temporary work card applications (including OPT), and work visa petitions. You can find information on their site here.

U.S. Department of State - Exchange Visitor Program: EVP / BridgeUSA

The EVP governs the stay of people holding J-1 exchange visitor visas. You can find information about the Exchange Visitor Program on their website, here.

Internal Revenue Service

Any non-immigrant resent in the U.S. is required to file at least one tax form, even if they received no income. Find more information on the IRS website, here.