Frequently Asked Questions
What work can Sri Lankan F-1 students do immediately upon arriving in the U.S., without any special authorization?
What work can Sri Lankan F-1 students do immediately upon arriving in the U.S., without any special authorization?On-campus employment is available from your first semester with no additional permits beyond your F-1 visa and full-time enrollment status, allowing up to 20 hours per week during academic terms and full-time during official university breaks. Common roles include research assistantships, IT support, tutoring, and library positions, typically paying US$12–18/hour (LKR 3,696–5,544/hour) for annual earnings of US$6,000–8,000 (LKR 1.85–2.46 million). Unlike informal part-time arrangements common in Sri Lanka, these are formal jobs with interviews, tax withholding, and professional expectations — treat them seriously, as they build your first U.S. references and resume entries.
Which career fields offer Sri Lankan international students the strongest chance of securing employment on OPT?
Which career fields offer Sri Lankan international students the strongest chance of securing employment on OPT?Technology and Computer Science offers the strongest opportunities, with starting salaries of US$75,000–100,000 (LKR 23.1–30.8 million) for roles like software engineering, machine learning, and cybersecurity at companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and well-funded startups. Data Science and Analytics is a strong alternative with lower entry barriers, shorter programs, and broad applicability across finance, healthcare, retail, and consulting, with starting salaries of US$60,000–90,000 (LKR 18.48–27.72 million). Engineering graduates from University of Moratuwa have a particularly useful additional pathway — U.S. credentials are highly valued in the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar), where positions often pay USD tax-free.
How does U.S. workplace networking culture differ from what Sri Lankan students are used to, and why does it matter for finding jobs?
How does U.S. workplace networking culture differ from what Sri Lankan students are used to, and why does it matter for finding jobs?In Sri Lanka, job opportunities typically come through personal connections, family networks, or academic referrals in informal ways, whereas U.S. employment culture formalizes networking as a structured, expected part of career development — many positions are filled through referrals before ever reaching public job boards. Sri Lankan students must proactively attend career fairs, company information sessions, and professional association events, connect with alumni through LinkedIn using personalized outreach, and request informational interviews to build relationships before a job even opens. CPT internships are especially valuable for this adjustment, as they expose you to U.S. corporate culture’s flatter hierarchies, more direct communication, and explicit professional networking — all of which differ significantly from Sri Lankan workplace dynamics.
What is the 90-day unemployment rule during OPT, and how should Sri Lankan students manage it?
What is the 90-day unemployment rule during OPT, and how should Sri Lankan students manage it?During your OPT period, you can only be unemployed for a maximum of 90 days in aggregate across the entire authorization period — exceeding this limit constitutes a visa violation requiring you to leave the U.S. This means any gaps between jobs, time spent job searching after graduation, or periods between OPT and the STEM extension approval all count toward the same 90-day total. To manage this, apply for OPT 90 days before graduation, begin your job search before receiving your EAD card, track any unemployment periods carefully, and report employment changes to your school within 10 days.
When should Sri Lankan students start building their career networks, and what does a practical timeline look like?
When should Sri Lankan students start building their career networks, and what does a practical timeline look like?Start in your first semester — visit career services for an introductory appointment, create a LinkedIn profile, and attend one or two career fairs to understand the environment, even if you’re not actively job searching yet. Through your second semester and into your final year, apply for CPT summer internships (paying US$6,000–10,000 for 10–12 weeks), attend company information sessions regularly, and build professor relationships who will later provide recommendations and industry connections. In your final semester, apply for OPT 90 days before graduation, submit 100+ job applications, and be prepared for EAD processing of 2–4 months — meaning you may graduate in May but not begin working until June or July.
