International scholars are an important economic force in the United States, contributing approximately $42.9 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2024-25 academic year and supporting more than 355,000 jobs. But as an international student or postdoctoral researcher, entering the U.S. immigration system can be a long and complicated journey.
While everyone is affected by their personal circumstances, for many the process begins with an F-1 student visa, which they hold while completing their PhD. More than five to six years. After graduation, they have the option to transition to Optional Practical Training (OPT), which provides one year of work authorization, which can be extended by two years for STEM graduates. Some may then transition to an H-1B temporary work visa, which provides three years of work authorization and is renewable for an additional three years.
After a temporary visa may last 10 to 15 years, depending on their visa journey, academics who decide to seek permanent residency will have a number of pathways to choose from. The EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) category allows self-petition without an employer. This is usually the fastest route if strict qualifications are met.
EB-1B is for outstanding professors or researchers and requires employer sponsorship. EB-2 is another common pathway for individuals with advanced degrees such as doctorates. holder; it generally requires employment sponsorship and labor certification (the process of certifying that a job offer will not adversely affect U.S. workers), unless one qualifies for a National Interest Waiver, which waives the job offer and labor certification requirements and allows self-petition. Unfortunately, the green card timeline is also heavily affected by country of birth due to annual restrictions in each country.
As universities recognize the critical importance of international students and academics to their academic communities and wider economy, innovative programs have emerged to address the unique challenges faced by this group. Below, we highlight some of the commendable strategies that leading universities are implementing to support international students beyond traditional academic services.
Career Development and Professional Preparation
Universities can partner with private organizations such as Beyond the Professoriate, which hosts PhD career conferences to discuss key career-related topics. These career-focused initiatives are particularly valuable because they address the reality that many international students and academics will pursue careers outside of academia, but traditional graduate programs often offer limited industry opportunities.
Supplementing these efforts, universities can host career preparation workshops specifically tailored for international scholars to meet their unique professional development needs. The effectiveness of such programs lies in their practical approach to solving real-world problems, such as resolving visa restrictions or OPT applications and ensuring employment that supports immigration status.
We recommend that institutions thoughtfully include entities that employ international students into their programs and host events specifically designed to connect employers and international scholars. Institutions should also help scholars explore career opportunities outside the United States.
Mentor network and alumni connections
Mentorship programs are another cornerstone of effective international student support. Programs such as the Graduate Alumni Mentoring Program, Terrapins Connect, the Alumni Mentoring Program and the Conference Mentoring Program are examples. Successful programs take a systematic approach to matching mentors and mentees based on shared interests, career goals, and similar international backgrounds, building authentic relationships and providing comprehensive support for the scholar’s academic journey and beyond. For international students and scholars unfamiliar with U.S. professional networking cultural norms, having a guide with a common background can turn a potentially overwhelming experience into valuable career development opportunities.
Community building and recognition
Universities that successfully support international populations prioritize creating multiple touchpoints for community engagement and mutual support, from informal social events to structured support groups that address specific challenges. Community engagement is critical to minimizing isolation and allowing scholars to access support from a variety of sources. These touchpoints can include accessible events such as Friendship Fridays, International Coffee Hours, Global Peer Mentoring Programme, International Student Support Circles, VISAS Café and International Friends Club.
Another strategy is to systematically highlight the achievements of international students, scholars, and faculty at the university level. Recognition programs can include university publications, special awards ceremonies, spotlight lectures, scholarships and social media campaigns showcasing the achievements of international students. These initiatives celebrate contributions, demonstrate the value of international diversity and provide positive role models while combating negative stereotypes.
peer support
Since its first emergence in the early 1900s, the International Student Association has been central to its membership formation and has long enriched campus and social life in the United States. In these challenging times, organizations like this can help their members find the support they need. National organizations such as the Graduate Association of Ghanaian Students-USA (GRASAG-USA) or the North American Association of Indian Students (NAAIS), as well as local chapters of groups such as the Association of Indian Students, remain effective social and emotional support resources for international students.
Provide support in response to changes in immigration policy
Given the lengthy and often uncertain nature of the immigration process, U.S. institutions play a critical role in providing practical support and emotional reassurance to their international members. Some agencies provide free legal advice to outside immigration attorneys. In addition to external consultation, agencies may choose to provide in-house immigration advice.
Agencies can also support foreigners by providing information through weekly newsletters and providing up-to-date guidance on policies and policy changes in an easy-to-understand format. Institutions without these forms of support may choose to refer scholars to national organizations that collate policy analysis and resources.
In addition, colleges can offer programs that focus on lesser-known immigration options, such as the O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability.
By providing clear information, legal support and proactive communication, institutions and organizations can reduce the pressures faced by international scholars.
The most effective approaches involve comprehensive systems that combine multiple strategies rather than relying on a single intervention. Successful colleges create comprehensive ecosystems that incorporate career development, mentoring, community building, and recognition as interconnected elements of student success. When institutions act not just as employers or educators but as advocates, they can empower the international talent in which they invest and ensure that global knowledge continues to flourish.
The authors would like to thank Sonali Majumdar and Bénédicte Gnangnon for their valuable contributions to this article.
