United States · Study and work abroad

USA: 3 years OPT
for STEM grads.

USA STEM graduates get up to 3 years of OPT work authorization (12 months OPT + 24 months STEM extension). H1-B visa pathway through employer sponsorship leads to green card. Highest salary potential globally for engineering and tech, though visa rules are tightening.

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3 yrs

OPT + STEM
extension

IELTS/TOEFL

language
requirements

5-10 yrs

to green card
(India queue long)

Why United States

Four reasons Kerala families pick United States.

💵

Highest salaries globally

Tech, finance, healthcare

Entry salaries for Masters in tech, finance, healthcare start at USD 80,000 to 130,000. Senior roles regularly cross USD 200,000. Highest salary ceiling among global destinations.

🛂

OPT + STEM extension

3 years total

12 months Optional Practical Training automatic after graduation. STEM-designated programs get an additional 24 months. Total 3 years to find a sponsor, build experience, transition to H1-B.

🏛️

World-class universities

MIT, Stanford, top 50 US schools

Most globally-recognized universities are American. Strong R&D, research opportunities, alumni networks. Prestige factor for career.

🌍

Strong Kerala diaspora

NJ, TX, CA all have communities

Older Kerala diaspora (typically professionals from 1980s onwards). Established churches, food shops, community organizations. Family already settled in many cases.

The full journey

From Kerala to United States, step by step.

Profile and university shortlist

3 to 4 weeks

Multi-tier university shortlist (ambitious, target, safety). Decision on STEM vs non-STEM programs is critical for OPT length. Funding source planning.

GRE/GMAT and IELTS/TOEFL

8 to 12 weeks

GRE for most engineering/sciences Masters; GMAT for business school. IELTS or TOEFL for English proficiency. Some programs waive GRE post-COVID.

Application package

6 to 10 weeks

SOP, LORs, transcripts, financial documents. Apply to 6 to 10 universities in parallel. Application fees USD 75 to 150 each.

Admission, I-20, visa

6 to 14 weeks

Admission decisions. I-20 form from chosen university. F-1 visa interview at US Consulate Chennai or other location. Demonstrate intent to return after studies.

Pre-departure and landing

2 to 4 weeks

SEVIS fee, accommodation, banking, university orientation.

Post-study path

12 to 36 months

OPT application 90 days before graduation. STEM extension if program is on STEM-designated list. H1-B lottery applications via employer. Green card sponsorship if employer is willing.

Total cost

What it actually costs.

Honest 2026 numbers. Talk to a counsellor for your specific case.

Tuition, Masters

Top-tier USD 50-70K; mid-tier USD 30-50K; public state USD 25-40K

USD 25-70K/yr

Living costs, 1 year

NY/SF/Boston USD 25K+; smaller cities USD 12-18K

USD 15-25K

GRE + IELTS

GRE USD 220 + IELTS INR 19,000

INR 36,000

F-1 visa + SEVIS

USD 535 SEVIS + USD 185 visa

USD 720

consultancy

End-to-end including SOP, GRE prep, visa coaching

INR 2,50,000

Total, 1.5-2 year Masters

INR 45-80L

Top-tier private university

Frequently asked

United States questions Kerala families ask.

How does OPT and STEM extension work? +

OPT (Optional Practical Training): 12 months of work authorization automatic after graduation. STEM extension: additional 24 months if your program is STEM-designated by Department of Homeland Security. Total: 3 years for STEM graduates, 1 year for non-STEM.

Is the H1-B visa really hard? +

Yes, increasingly. H1-B has an annual cap of 85,000 (65,000 regular + 20,000 advanced degree). Demand far exceeds supply, so it goes through a lottery. India-born applicants have additional green card backlog of 50+ years for EB-2 and EB-3 categories. Realistic timelines: H1-B in 1 to 3 years; green card 10+ years.

What about US visa rejections? +

F-1 visa rejection rates for Indian students vary by year. Demonstrating financial capacity, genuine student intent, ties to India are critical. Cokonet's visa coaching has high approval rates.

Should I prefer USA or Canada? +

USA: higher salaries, world-class universities, but tougher visa path. Canada: clearer PR pathway, lower cost, but lower salaries. Most Cokonet students compare these head-to-head. Decision depends on career goal and family situation.

What is the GRE requirement? +

Most engineering and sciences Masters require GRE General (typically score 310+ for competitive programs). Top-tier programs want 320+. Many programs have made GRE optional post-COVID; we map which ones.

Are there scholarships for Indian students? +

Limited at undergraduate level; more available at Masters level. University-specific scholarships (USD 5,000 to 50,000), departmental assistantships (which can cover tuition and provide stipend), external scholarships like Fulbright. We map scholarship eligibility per university.

Comparing United States with other options?

See the full 25-country grid with cost, language, and PR timeline side by side.

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USA: 3 years OPTfor STEM grads.