GC for mother

[TheRealist]

Actually, most go back when they're finished studying. Many study in fields where it is almost impossible to get an H1, and the H1 quota is too small to accommodate the 100,000+ who graduate each year (a quota that also gets used by those who get hired outside the US). Yes, some get married to a US citizen, but for the most part the F-1 students do leave the US after graduation or OPT. That includes myself ... I left the US for 5 years before returning with an H1.

Not true. Most do remain here in the US. My comments were regarding the profile of schandrag's and his friends' country people.

In fact, your argument actually strengthens my case. You say they go back because they cannot get an H-1B visa. Which means that they would like to stay here, but cannot, just because they don't get an H-1B. That's called intent, and intent is a major factor in F-1 (or tourist, business) visa approval/denial. Remember, US consular officials also take into consideration the country of the applicant. A Swedish student is more likely to get an F-1 visa compared to an Indian/Chinese student.

Also, please note:
- H-1B visa numers are not split by subjects of study, as you imply.
- There are 20,000 visas for F-1 advanced degree holders graduating from the US.
- New OPT rules allow a student on Practical Training to keep on working while their H-1B gets approved.

It's better than before for F-1s.

 

[TheRealist]

...First, most students (83%) from India, don't go back which is the statistics from INS.

Yes, that's true, though I would say the %age of those who stayed in the US was even higher in the past.

 

[Jackolantern]

In fact, your argument actually strengthens my case. You say they go back because they cannot get an H-1B visa. Which means that they would like to stay here, but cannot, just because they don't get an H-1B.

No I didn't say that. I was only pointing out that even if they wanted to stay, most cannot stay because of the H1 quota limitations. Without knowing the extent to which they tried to stay, we don't know who went back because they wanted to, or who went back because they had to. But the fact is that most do not stay in the US beyond their graduation (or OPT if they go for it), and sometime later I'll try to find the statistics (they are out there, I just don't remember where I read it).

Now if you're talking about a specific country, then sure there are some specific countries where most do end up staying.