Another H1-B Pain Story: US offer with OPT struggles or gap year in Europe
Hey everyone,
I’m a senior at an Ivy League school and an international student, graduating this December. I’ve secured an analyst role for 2025 at a lower-tier BB without having interned there. The challenge is that my OPT will be over halfway used up before I even start, and I’m unsure about my sponsorship outlook with the H1-B lottery system. Since I’m not a STEM major, extending my OPT isn’t an option, and delaying graduation is, unfortunately, completely out of the question (long story, please don't remind me).
I also recruited in Europe and received some great offers for consecutive off-cycle internships starting in January with a T1 BB (GS/MS/JPM), an RX EB, and a well-known US MF. Overall, I felt like I was getting way more attention there, likely because sponsorship isn’t an issue with my dual UK/EU citizenship. I also think these are very good platforms to kick-start a long-term career in the industry. However, I’ve really enjoyed my time in the US and always envisioned building my career here. Plus, being near all my friends in the City would be incredible.
So, I’m torn between taking the gap year in Europe, which could lead to a full-time gig at a much stronger firm, or sticking with my US offer despite all the visa uncertainty. Have you ever seen firms promise temporary overseas transfers to incoming analysts who haven’t even stepped into the office? Relying on an internal move from Europe to the US also feels very risky and unpredictable, even more so when starting there as an An1.
On the other hand, having gone to school in the US, I hope that might give me a slight edge when recruiting for lateraling later. But I honestly think it’s very unlikely that I’d even get an internal relocation to the US, with the H1-B lottery, no OPT, and the added difficulty of applying from overseas in case of an external role.
At the same time, trying to later recruit for MF PE while on a temporary visa in the US sounds like it could be a real headache from what I have heard, especially when already being considered late as an associate.
Apologies for the long post. This has been weighing on my mind. I’d really appreciate your advice if you were in my shoes...
Doubt that banks are going to give L1 visa to a fresh anl.
Also you need to be in the US for two consecutive full time semesters for you to be even eligible for OPT. Plus, you only have like 90 days of unemployment days under OPT, so hope you have a plan for how you are going to stay in the US after grad.
Also just the possibilities of PE aso offer for internationals without longer term visa (eg h1b) is minimal let alone w/o stem opt or MFPE.
Hope that helps
A US Ivy League degree would go along way in the Europe finance scene, and eventually strong path back to the US in a strong position. Worst case MBA in the US, best case is recruiting in Europe to MF and push L1 transfer to NYC.
Unfortunately, with only 1 year of OPT and start date in the summer, I don’t think you would even be able to necessarily participate in the H1B lottery and is not worth the risk.
I have seen young staff being offered transfers to the US, but I don't know how common that is. If they are on rotation scheme it might be part of that training.
Without STEM you really only have one shot at H1b, with companies who don't know you and have never worked with you. Several companies may file in the same year, but I don't think this is going to be a realistic way.
The way things are going in the employment market, the ongoing visa struggles and the changes in how people view immigration ultimately lead to the question whether an expensive education in the US is worth it for international students.
Thank you so much guys! So, from what I hear, you would not recommend working in the US for the lower-tier BB? Should I pursue the gap year in Europe instead? For example, would it be more beneficial to start at a T1 BB in a top group in London and then have it "easier" for MFPE recruitment?
If your goal is to live and work in the US permanently in the future, do not leave the US. You may never find a route back.
If all you want is to have a decent career and European firms with a better brand offer that, and you don't mind living in Europe for now - then do that.
It's hard to give any more detailed advice without knowing you / your hobbies/interests/lifestyle, ..
Both Europe and the US are amazing places to live in, but it really depends on the individual to make that choice. These two places have similarities, but couldn't be more different in other areas.
i.e. If you are a conservative Christian/Evangelical - the US would be a more appropriate place.
How did you use up your opt? Were you not able to go the cpt route during college?
I feel you, European_Viking, but let me preface by saying that you are in a great position either way. If I were you, I’d plan to work for the whole time your OPT allows you to and to give the visa lottery in the spring of 2025 a chance. Yes, chances are slim, but maybe you do get lucky (have seen it all). MFPE recruitment won’t start until the summer anyways, so if you do win the lottery and know that you can stay in the country for several years at the least, you can still partake. Is the off-cycle internship in the spring? If possible I’d ask to push it until September/October. Can even give the reason that you’d like to gain as much experience as possible in the US. In the rare case (~15% judging by this year’s numbers) that you do win the lottery you can stay in the US instead - you’ll be in an arguably better spot anyways, also with your outlined preferences.
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