How long can I stay in the U.S. after I finish my studies?

If you are studying in California, you can remain in the United States after you finish your studies for a specific period of time. This period is known as Optional Practical Training (OPT) and is authorized for up to twelve months for each degree program you complete. Additionally, you may be able to apply for OPT extension if you are eligible and it is approved. To be eligible for an OPT extension, you must be following one of these programs: a graduate degree program in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) and it must be related to your current degree. For students who have received a degree through a vocational or a professional program, there is a specific set of requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for an OPT extension. For students who have received degrees in areas of social sciences, education or humanities, they are not eligible for an OPT extension. It is important to note that the duration of your stay in the United States after you have completed your studies is dependent on the date of the start of your OPT. Once the OPT period has expired, you will be required to leave the U.S. It is also important to remember that if you remain in the United States beyond the duration of your OPT period, you may be subject to civil and criminal penalties for overstaying your authorized stay. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that you leave the United States before your OPT period ends.

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Si tienes un visa de estudiante, puedes permanecer en los Estados Unidos hasta dos meses después de completar tus estudios. Esto significa que tendrás 60 días para salir del territorio estadounidense, a menos que el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS) te otorgue un permiso de permanencia tras ese período de tiempo. Es importante tener en cuenta que el documento de identidad que se te ha entregado es una visa para estudiantes, no una visa de inmigrante. Esto significa que, al igual que cualquier otro no ciudadano estadounidense, solo puedes quedarte temporalmente. Si quieres quedarte más tiempo, necesitarás obtener la aprobación del USCIS para extender tu estadía. Además, es importante tener en cuenta que algunas clases de visas de estudiantes incluyen tiempos de estadías específicas. Por ejemplo, los estudiantes internacionales que viajan a los Estados Unidos bajo una visa de intercambio cultural pueden permanecer durante el tiempo autorizado por la visa, generalmente un año o menos. Por lo tanto, tendrás que asegurarte de cumplir los límites de tu visa para no infringir la ley de inmigración estadounidense.

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