Free guide for international students and families

Study in the U.S., Stay in the U.S.

Understand the decisions that shape what happens during school and after graduation.

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Free to read. No sign-up required.

8 chapters and a toolkit

27,000 words

About 2 hours to read

Updated September 2026

By Kiem Nguyen · More than 10 years working with families in Vietnam on EB-5 and U.S. immigration.

Choosing a school is only the beginning. This guide explains how your major, location, work authorization, employer options, and longer-term immigration paths fit together so you can plan with the full picture in mind.

It won’t tell you what will happen or promise a particular outcome. It will show you what to think about, when decisions come up, and which decisions are yours to make.

Who this guide is for

International students considering U.S. schools, students already studying in the U.S., and families helping them plan.

What’s inside

Read it from the beginning or jump to the chapter that matches where you are now. The guide follows the decisions from choosing what and where to study through work options after graduation and the immigration paths that may come later.

Introduction

·How to Read This Book ·Preface: This Book Does Not Sell a Dream

Part I: The Whole Picture

Part I explains the big picture.

01Studying and Staying Are One Decision 02Where Does Your Family Actually Stand?03Major First. City Second. School Last.04After Graduation, the Clock Runs 05The Paths to Stay: The Whole Picture 06Your Passport Changes the Map 07EB-5 and Concurrent Filing 08What You and Your Family Need to Say Out Loud ·Which Group Are You In?·The Point Is Not Stay or Go

Part II: The Toolkit

Part II is a toolkit to use as questions come up.

·Check the Numbers at the Source 01Checklist by Group A/B/C 02Comparison Table of the Paths

OPT (Optional Practical Training)
STEM OPT
H-1B
H-1B → employer-filed green card (EB-2 / EB-3)
Country-specific work visas (TN, E-3, H-1B1, E-2)
O-1 (Extraordinary Ability, temporary)
EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver)
EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability)
EB-3 Skilled
EB-3 Other Workers (unskilled)
EB-5 (Immigrant Investor)
L-1 + EB-1C
Going home, or a third country, with a plan

03Ten Situations, Analyzed 04Self-Assessment and Decision Map 05Cities by Field: How to Research 06Ten Things to Remember 07Disclaimer, Glossary, and Sources

Questions

Is the guide free?

Yes. It’s free to read. No sign-up required.

Do I have to read the whole guide?

No. Read it from the beginning or jump to the chapter that matches where you are now.

I’m already studying in the U.S. Is it too late?

No. Chapters 4, 5, and 6 are written for that situation.

The guide explains what to look at. Where They Hire shows the numbers for your major and the jobs around it. Explore occupations and majors →

Read the guide