How long can I work in the USA after studying?

Standard OPT gives up to 12 months of work authorisation after graduation. If your degree is in an eligible STEM field, you can add a 24-month STEM OPT extension, for up to 36 months in total — which is also why many students use the period to enter the H-1B lottery more than once.

How much does it cost to study in the USA from India?

There is no single figure: public and private universities differ enormously, and costs vary by state and city. The number that matters is the cost of attendance your specific school publishes — that is also the amount your I-20 funding evidence must cover. Budget tuition plus living costs plus the SEVIS and visa fees.

Is the F-1 student visa changing in 2026?

The admission framework has been under active change — DHS has moved to replace the open-ended “duration of status” with a fixed admission period. Because this was still working through rulemaking during 2026, confirm the current rules with your university's international office and on the DHS site rather than relying on older guides.

Study in the USA from India: 2026 guide

Last updated 2026-07-22 · every rule below is sourced and dated

To study in the USA from India you need an F-1 student visa, obtained with an I-20 from a SEVP-certified school. After graduating, OPT gives 12 months of work authorisation in your field; graduates of eligible STEM degrees can add a 24-month STEM OPT extension, for up to 36 months total.

The US has the widest range of universities and the strongest STEM work-experience runway of any destination, through OPT and its STEM extension. It is also the most paperwork-sensitive: status depends on maintaining SEVIS records precisely, and 2026 has active rulemaking on how long F-1 admission lasts. This page sets out the route and the work rights, each traced to USCIS or DHS.

Why study in United States?

The largest choice of universities and programmes of any single country
OPT plus the STEM OPT extension gives eligible graduates up to three years of work authorisation
Strong research funding and assistantship opportunities at graduate level

Choose your level of study

This page covers United States specifically. For how a degree level works across destinations — entry requirements, timelines and what we help with — see the level guides:

Bachelor’s abroad Master’s abroad MBBS abroad

Costs, student visa and work rights

Student visa route (F-1)

You need an F-1 visa. First you receive a Form I-20 from a SEVP-certified school, pay the SEVIS fee, then apply for the visa at a US embassy or consulate. The F-1 is the standard route for full-time academic study.

USCIS — Students and Exchange Visitors (F-1) · verified 2026-07-22

Post-study work (OPT)

Optional Practical Training gives F-1 students up to 12 months of work authorisation in a job directly related to their field of study, typically used after completing the degree. Your DSO recommends OPT in SEVIS and you apply to USCIS for the work permit (EAD).

USCIS — Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students · verified 2026-07-22

STEM OPT extension

Graduates of an eligible STEM field can apply for a one-time 24-month extension of post-completion OPT — a total of up to 36 months of OPT. It requires an E-Verify employer and a formal training plan.

DHS Study in the States — STEM OPT Extension Overview · verified 2026-07-22

Duration of status (changing)

DHS has been replacing the open-ended “duration of status” admission for F-1 students with a fixed admission period. Rulemaking was active through 2026, so how long your admission lasts and how grace periods work may differ from older guidance — confirm the current position with your DSO and on the DHS site before you rely on it.

DHS Study in the States · verified 2026-07-22 · confirm before you rely on it

Tuition and cost of living (guide)

Tuition is set per university and varies enormously between public and private institutions and by state; living costs vary by city. There is no national figure — use the cost of attendance published by your specific school, which is also what your I-20 funding must cover.

Per-university published cost of attendance · verified 2026-07-22 · confirm before you rely on it

Top universities in United States

A starting shortlist of well-known institutions — not a ranking, and far from exhaustive. The right university depends on your subject, budget and where you want to work after.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Stanford University
Harvard University
University of California, Berkeley
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

When are the intakes?

The main intake is Fall (August/September); many universities also offer Spring (January) and some a limited Summer intake.

Get counselling for United States

We counsel Indian students end to end — course and university shortlisting, the application, the OPT + STEM OPT extension and the student-visa file. Tell us your subject and budget and we will map the realistic options.

WhatsApp our counsellors Enquire about study abroad

Sources

Tuition, fees, fund levels and work-rights rules are set by governments and universities and change. Figures here are dated and marked where they must be confirmed at application. This is guidance, not immigration or legal advice — confirm the current rules for your own case before you commit.