strugglingSTEM graduate faces deadline pressure with visa expiration looming: unemployed graduate battles against the 103-day countdown of visa validity
In a post on a popular online forum, a foreign student shares their precarious situation as they grapple with unemployment and the pending approval of their STEM OPT and H-1B petitions.
The student's initial OPT ended on June 24, 2025. Since being terminated from their job on July 7, they have remained unemployed. If their STEM OPT is approved, they would have 103 days remaining (150 total minus the 47 already used) once the STEM OPT is approved - provided they find qualifying employment with an E-Verify employer in time.
For many, it's not just about finding another job - it's a race against the clock with legal status hanging in the balance. The student is seeking advice from those who've faced similar STEM OPT and H-1B uncertainties.
Under the STEM OPT rules, the student has already used 47 days of unemployment out of the total 150 days allowed over the full OPT + STEM OPT period. To qualify for STEM OPT and maintain status during the extension, employment must be directly related to the student's STEM degree, the job must be paid and full-time, the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and a bona fide employer must sign the formal training plan.
While the STEM OPT application is pending, the student remains in their current OPT status. The 150-day unemployment limit includes any unemployment accrued during the pending status. Students should continue reporting employment or unemployment changes to their school's international student office promptly.
If the H-1B petition is filed under regular or cap-gap provisions, some students may be eligible for automatic extension of work authorization bridging OPT and H-1B start date. However, if H-1B petition processing is delayed or not approved, without valid employment on OPT/STEM OPT, the student could fall out of status.
Given the complexity and strict deadline requirements on unemployment days during OPT and STEM OPT, it is crucial for students to actively manage their employment status to avoid losing lawful F-1 status while waiting for STEM OPT approval and H-1B petition result.
The post also mentions a separate case of a NEU aspirant denied an F-1 visa after a confusing question. A single layoff can jeopardize not just employment, but immigration status and long-term residency prospects for international students.
The employer now plans to withdraw the H-1B petition following the layoff. The window for a cap-exempt H-1B transfer is extremely tight and risky, especially without H-1B approval or current employment. The user's H-1B petition was selected and filed on June 11, 2025.
The user shared a dilemma on Reddit about being laid off while their STEM OPT application is still pending and their H-1B petition is under process. The post emphasizes the precarious situation international students face when transitioning from student visas to work visas in the U.S.
The user's recommended actions for students facing unemployment include seeking paid, full-time employment with an E-Verify employer related to their STEM field as soon as possible, reporting any job changes or unemployment periods immediately to their international student services office to maintain compliance, exploring multiple employment opportunities, consulting with their international student advisor and possibly an immigration attorney, and maintaining careful records and timely submission of reports and documentation required by USCIS and their university.
- The student's situation is a race against time, as they seek qualifying employment with an E-Verify employer to avail the remaining days on their STEM OPT, should it be approved.
- Effective career development, such as securing a job directly related to their STEM degree, becomes paramount for the student to maintain their lawful F-1 status while awaiting their STEM OPT approval and H-1B petition result.
- Online education and self-development could potentially provide the skills training needed to secure a suitable job in the market, thus helping the student avoid unemployment and longevity issues with their immigration status.
- Regularly updating their education-and-self-development portfolio and networking within the defi community might present unique opportunities that could lead to a suitable workplace-wellness position, improving both their financial stability and career advancement.
- To better navigate the intricacies of the U.S. immigration system, it would be prudent for the student to also engage in learning about legalities pertaining to their visa status and seek guidance from an immigration attorney when necessary.
