By Nikolaj Zandvliet

How important visas are when it comes to gaining employment? What kind of Visa do I need when I am working? Or studying? How in the world do I even get one?

There are vast amount of questions that can be asked about the Visa or employment process in the United States. Last Tuesday, the Visa opportunities were discussed in a presentation given in the Reynolds Campus Center. An official from the Department of Homeland Security was here, at Babson, to explain to interested students how their legal and bureaucratic future would look.

She explained that in a vast majority of cases, students graduating from a school like Babson seek employment within the country. They do so because of the recognition and the prestige that is associated with obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Babson. However, there is a big difference between when an international student does so as opposed to an American citizen. American citizens, generally, have no problem obtaining employment and legally, since they have all their affairs in order.

On the other hand, international undergrads aspiring to work in the United States have a whole new problem. They now face a new challenge. They need to prove to the government that they have a purpose for being here, which they need to do through applying for a Green Card. This can often be done through an employer, who will file an application for the individual once the foreign employee is hired.

Do not be surprised, however, if the application is not immediately accepted. US policies are strict and it is not a given that, once hired, you will have a Green Card delivered in the mail. One needs proof of skills, and, bluntly stated, some form of guarantee that the individual will function as an asset to the nation.

It must be stated, however, that internationals graduating from an undergraduate program in the United States are at an incredible advantage. They often speak more than just one language, frequently even more than more than two. This sets them apart from local applicants. Also, they have an international experience and backgrounds that will allow them to easily adapt to different cultures in the professional business world. This much has become clear, and the official only reiterated this point. Clearly, the country and its economic society appreciate foreign influence.

Lastly, one question remained. When all these international students want to stick around in this nation ‘of opportunity’, do the locals want to leave? Do the Americans want to make their way out of the United States and attempt to be employed in Europe or Asia? This idea is not a bad one for many, especially because of the exploding economies and job markets in some Asian, African and South American market sectors. The answer to the question is, essentially, yes, according to recent studies. Our Homeland Security representative also confirmed that many top students who are graduating from good schools are receiving attractive offers from foreign companies. Often payment and legal bureaucracy are beneficial in other companies, compared to the US.

The topic of interest remains if the best students are staying, or if they are going. A country will, obviously, make an effort to keep its most skilled and talented workers with them. However, Visa and Green Card challenges will often come in the way. The nation whose government enforces the least lenient roles is bound to succeed and eventually, win.