Should I come to US for Fall 2010 as Student ? International Student Enrollment Statistics Vs H1B Visas available for Job

Arshia asked about job situation and recession in US, She plans to come here for fall 2010 and graduate by 2012.  “Don’t you think the scenario will improve in two years i.e., 2012 or 13…as I am applying for fall 2010…”

It is a very difficult to predict the future because of the complexity of crisis in global economy and macro economic factors. I will give you an outline and you can be the judge.

Below is the total statistics of International student enrollment in US as quoted by Institute of International Education.

The total number of H1B visas available for working is currently set at 85,000 total. Only 20,000 for Advanced degree students who do Masters or PhD.  But, they can be filed under general quota too.  If you look at the numbers, If you just imagine 10 % of total enrollment in 2008-09 (671,616)   go for jobs, then it 67,100. That’s a lot. What if 13 % of them go for jobs then it is around 87,000  students applying for H1B visas and Jobs.  I have only considered one year. Imagine the people who did not get H1B visa, they will apply for next year too. There are lot of people who do two masters or go for PhD if they do not get H1B visa to keep themselves in status.

The biggest challenge for International students is getting H1B visa and finding someone to sponsor visa. It is not the way it used to be 5 years ago, there are many challenges faced by international students.  In 2008, the H1Bs were done through a lottery system because around 160,000 people filed for visa in first week. With recession, not many are applying this year; they are going back to school.  The key thing is, all these people who went back to school will keep applying in the next two to three years to get job if market picks up. Honestly, it does not look very optimistic for people who want to come here to do jobs.  I will let you decide based on the statistics presented.