(Image source from: Jim Jansen)

Indians in United States comprised the ample group of graduate students who got authorization to persist and work in the country between 2004 and 2016, according to a Pew Research Center report.

Chinese students were the second largest group, followed by South Koreans among 1.5 million graduate students who were able to work in United States after graduation.

Pew associate director Neil Ruiz said, “The Optical Practical Training program has grown to become the primary way the U.S has retained foreign students graduating with Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degree from its colleges and universities.”

He further added, “Foreign students obtaining authorization to remain and work in U.S after graduation come from all corners of the globe and major metro areas in U.S tend to attract them in large numbers.”

444,400 Indians, that is 30 percent of the total were able to remain and work in United States whereas 90,800, that is 6 percent of South Koreans and 3,13,500, that is 21 percent of Chinese students remained to work after graduation in United Sates.

The OPT allows students on F-1 visa to work in U.S temporarily for 12 to 36 months related to their area of study, however STEM students are permitted to extend their temporary OPT for another two years.

By Sowmya Sangam