Studying abroad gives its full benefits only if you can also gain valuable work experience after the course. And yes, to take up a job, you need a permit to extend your stay in the country after completing your course.
Key takeaways
- Post-study work visas allow Indian students like you to extend your stay in a foreign country and find employment.
- Top countries that offer post-study work visas include the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany. The period of the work permit varies based on the course.
- Before choosing a country, it’s recommended to assess the multiple factors involved, such as the visa duration, cost of living, ease of obtaining permanent residency, and more.
- Making the right choice will ensure that you can stay back after the course without any hassles and secure rewarding job offers.
Post-study work visas allow you to continue your stay and look for jobs. It serves as a safety net that gives you the much-needed time to transition into the job market.
For this reason, post-study work visas are immensely popular among Indian students like you looking to pursue an MS abroad. You might be curious to know which countries offer post-study work visas after an MS. We can help you. In this article, we’ll explore the best countries that offer post-study work visas for Indian MS graduates
Table of Contents
- What is a post-study work visa?
- Countries offering post-study work visas to Indian MS graduates
- What factors should you consider when choosing a country for a post-study work visa
- How to get a post-study work visa
- Final thoughts
- Frequently asked questions
What is a post-study work visa?
A post-study work visa or post-study work permit is an important factor when it comes to taking up employment after your course completion. It’s a temporary residence permit that allows you to extend your stay in a foreign country once you finish your course.
Typically, a post-study work visa is offered for a limited time, during which you can take up employment without the support of a sponsor. The duration of the post-study work visa varies by country, ranging from 3 months to one year.
The post-study work visa gives you the confidence to secure permanent residency in the future.
Want to learn more about the post-study work visa? Consult our experts.
Countries offering post-study work visas to Indian MS graduates
Most Indian students prefer studying abroad in countries that offer post-study work visas. When you get the opportunity to stay back and work, it significantly increases your chances of long-term career stability.
We have handpicked the following countries as the best options to pursue an MS and get a post-study work visa. Here’s the list.
Australia
Australia grants a post-study work visa, or Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), if you have recently completed your course. With this visa, you can stay up to 2 to 4 years, and it even allows you to bring your family members.
Eligibility
- You must have completed a course at an Australian university.
- You must apply for a visa within six months of course completion.
- You must meet the English language proficiency requirements.
- Health requirements must be covered.
United States of America
The USA is among the top countries that offer the best post-study visas. If you have an H1 visa, you can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). It allows you to work in your field of study for up to 12 months. Apart from this, if you have a degree in STEM OPT extension, you can extend your OPT by 24 months. You can also convert your F1 visa to an H1B visa.
Eligibility
- You must be a full-time student with an F1 visa.
- Employment must be related to the field of study.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s Post-Study Work Visa allows you to work for 1 to 2 years based on your course. There is a high demand for skilled graduates in New Zealand, which ensures that you’ll be able to find a job easily.
Eligibility
- You must have completed a course in New Zealand and should have a qualification of Level 4-6.
- You must apply for the visa within three months of completing your studies.
United Kingdom
The UK provides the Post-Study Work (PSW) visa, through which you can extend your stay and work in the UK for up to 2 years. The country offers you excellent career prospects due to its thriving economy. After taking up employment through the UK Graduate Route, you can easily explore the options to secure a skilled worker visa.
Eligibility
You must have completed an undergraduate degree or above at a UK university.
Canada
Canada has friendly immigration policies and a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that allows you to extend your stay and work in Canada. After completing your course, you can extend your stay for up to 3 years based on your programme. In case you do not meet the eligibility criteria for PGWP, you will be issued an Open Work Permit or Employer Specific Work Permit.
Eligibility
- You must complete a programme from a Designated Learning Institution.
- The graduation must be from a School where PGWP is applicable.
- The course duration must be at least 8 months.
Also read: Part-time Work Permit in Canada
Germany
Germany has a strong economy and is very supportive in helping international students find employment in Germany. It offers a Residence Permit for Job Search, which allows you to extend your stay for 18 months. However, the duration cannot be extended beyond 18 months, making it crucial to find a job and switch to a job visa within this timeframe. Once you are employed, you can convert the permit into an EU Blue Card or any other work visa.
Eligibility
- You must have completed a degree from a German University.
- You must have sufficient funds to meet your expenses during this period.
France
France offers you an APS Visa (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour), which is a residence permit that allows you to extend your stay for up to 2 years. During this period, you can take up jobs or even run your own businesses.
Eligibility
- You must have completed a master’s or a higher degree from a French institution.
- You must apply for the permit within 4 years of completing the course.
Singapore
Singapore has high employability rates and offers you high chances of securing a job after your studies. It provides a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), which allows you to stay and look for jobs in Singapore for up to one year. Further, you can renew the LTVP and extend your stay up to 5 years. Apart from this, during your stay on LTVP, you can access many healthcare benefits.
Eligibility
You must have completed a graduation from an accredited institution in Singapore.
Spain
Spain is a popular choice among international students due to its growing job market and high quality of life. It offers a Job Search Visa that allows you to extend your stay and work for up to 1 year.
Eligibility
- You must have completed your course at a Spanish institution.
- You must have medical insurance to reside in Spain.
- Your institute must be a government-verified institute that is eligible to apply for the visa.
- You must have sufficient funds to meet your expenses during your job search.
- You can apply 60 days before the expiry of the student visa or 90 days after its expiry.
Netherlands
The Netherlands provides an Orientation Year (Zoekjaar) Visa that allows you to extend your stay for up to 1 year and search for a job. You can take up part-time or full-time employment without applying for another work permit.
Eligibility
- You must have completed your degree at a Dutch institution. You can also apply if you have taken a degree from a top 200 university worldwide.
- You must apply within 3 years of obtaining the degree.
- You must have a valid study visa.
Want to learn more about the post-study work visa? Consult our experts.
What factors should you consider when choosing a country for a post-study work visa
The post-study work visa offer and eligibility criteria are different for each country. So, before you make a choice, consider the following factors:
- Visa duration or the length of the work permit.
- Eligibility requirements and other considerations for securing the visa.
- Career prospects in your chosen field that is available in the country.
- Cost of living in the country.
How to get a post-study work visa
Follow the steps below to apply for a post-study work visa:
- Check the eligibility requirements and deadlines to apply for a post-study work visa in the country of your choice.
- Gather the necessary documents, like a passport, visa or permit, evidence of course completion, like a degree certificate, student identification, and medical examination results.
- Access the government website of that particular country you’re applying to, and complete the application form.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application. In case you’re unable to submit online, you can check with the authorities and apply offline.
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Final thoughts
When you consider studying abroad, perhaps the most important factor that impacts your decision is your future career prospects. Countries that offer a post-study work visa are a preferred choice since they allow you to extend your stay after completing the course and secure employment.
You have a wide range of options, such as Australia, Canada, the USA, Germany, and the UK, which provide you with high-quality education and also support you in securing employment through post-study work visas.
Got questions about a post-work study visa? Connect with us!
Frequently asked questions
Which country gives more post-study work visas?
Countries like Australia, Canada, the USA, and the UK are considered the best choices for post-study work visas. The permit rules and eligibility requirements are different for the countries and also vary based on your programme.
Which country has more job opportunities after a master's?
The United States has a large economy and offers a wide range of career options. It’s considered to be the country where you can find the most job opportunities after your master’s. Countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Germany are also popular choices for master’s courses due to their technological advancement and excellent career opportunities.
In which country do Indians get PR easily?
Several countries offer a relatively easy path for Indians to secure a PR. Canada, New Zealand, and Australia have established immigration programmes and are popular choices. Apart from this, you can also secure a PR without much difficulty from Ireland, Germany, and Portugal.
