Can I stay and work in the US after I graduate?
⚠️ Current status (updated 2026-09-16): this rule is on hold — a federal court has blocked it. On 2026-09-14 a nationwide preliminary injunction stopped the rule from taking effect on its scheduled 2026-09-15 date, so Duration of Status (D/S) still applies and no immediate action is required for now. The government may appeal and this can change, so confirm the current status with USCIS and a university international-student office such as Yale OISS. (What follows describes what the rule would do if it ever takes effect — none of it is in force today.)
Can I stay and work in the US after graduating?
The honest short answer: yes, there's a real pathway (OPT) — but it carries real limits worth knowing before you commit to a program, not after. That mix of hope and uncertainty is completely normal to feel about a question this size.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the main mechanism: temporary work authorization letting an F-1 graduate work in a job directly related to their field of study.
| What applies to TCM/acupuncture grads | |
|---|---|
| Standard OPT | Up to 12 months, general to all F-1 grads |
| STEM OPT extension (extra ~24 months) | Generally does NOT apply — acupuncture/Chinese-medicine degrees are typically not STEM-designated (exact classification depends on the specific program — confirm with your DSO) |
| Path beyond OPT (H-1B, employer-sponsored green card, etc.) | No fixed timeline — depends on visa category, employer sponsorship, and country-of-birth backlogs |
| Grace period after graduation | 30 days (reduced from 60 as of September 15, 2026) to prepare to depart, transfer, apply for OPT, or change status — so OPT timing is planned before graduation, not after |
With the grace period now 30 days, the OPT application is something to line up with your school’s International Student Services office before you graduate. Under the same rule, an Extension of Stay is filed with USCIS together with a recommendation from that office; Five Branches told its students on September 15, 2026 that it is reviewing the rule and DHS guidance and will share more as the review progresses.
One more thing worth knowing regardless of OPT: as of September 15, 2026, the US shifted F-1 status from open-ended "Duration of Status" to a fixed admission period of up to 4 years, with an Extension of Stay filing required to go beyond it — this is separate from OPT but affects planning around a multi-year doctoral program in particular.
This is general orientation, not individual case advice — eligibility, program classification, and timing all turn on specifics only your own paperwork can settle. The right next stops: USCIS (uscis.gov) for the official rules, your school's DSO / International Student Office as your free first-stop expert, and a licensed immigration attorney for anything touching your personal situation.
Curious how this weighs against a specific program length you're considering?
Sources
- Five Branches University — published materials checked 2026-07
- Five Branches University — announcement to students, “Update on Changes to F-1 Regulations” 2026-09-15
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