Not true

Submitted by Jim (United States), Feb 20, 2007 at 09:08

This isn't true. After graduation foreign students can apply to remain in the US under OPT (Optional Practical Training) status, to take a job directly related to their degree. This lasts one year maximum, it can't be renewed. Neither time spent in the US as a student, nor time spent in the US doing Optional Practical Training, can count towards citizenship requirements.

After graduating and completing one year of OPT, a student is in exactly the same position with respect to immigrating to the US as someone who has never set foot in the country. They have to find an employer to sponsor them for an employment visa, later upgrade to green card status, and then spend five consecutive years living in the US with a green card before they can apply for citizenship.

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