# International MBA Applicant Plan: [Your name]

> A planning workbook for applicants who will study for an MBA outside their home country. It compares the main
> study destinations (United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada and Asia) on the questions that decide
> whether a programme works for a non-resident: post-study work routes, the STEM designation of US MBA programmes,
> the status of H-1B rules, English tests, credential evaluation and funding for non-residents. It is for
> applicants at any stage, from the first school list to the visa interview. Source basis: the official immigration,
> test and student-aid pages listed in each section, checked in October 2026 and written as dated facts.
> Replace every [bracketed] value and every row marked *Example*.
> This is a planning aid, not admissions, legal, immigration or financial advice. Immigration rules change often and
> sometimes overnight: check every fact on the official page before you rely on it, and ask the school's
> international student office or a qualified immigration lawyer about your own case.

<!--
Guidance: How to use this template
- Fill section 1 (your situation) first. Most destination choices are settled by three facts: where you want to work after the MBA, how long you need to work there, and how much funding you can prove.
- Work through section 3 one destination at a time. For each one, open the official page linked in the dated-facts table, write the date you checked it, and answer the questions in your own words.
- Score destinations in section 4 only after section 3 is complete; scoring before you know the rules turns the worksheet into a wish list.
- Rows marked *Example* use a fictional applicant, Amara Okafor, and fictional schools A to E. Delete them once your own rows are in.
- Never treat this workbook as legal advice. Where a row says "unsettled", write down who you will ask and when you will check again.
- Related templates: mba/mba-decision-roi, mba/mba-program-comparison, mba/mba-school-list-strategy, mba/mba-english-test-plan, mba/mba-admissions-test-plan, mba/mba-funding-scholarship-plan, mba/mba-application-tracker, mba/mba-deferred-admission-plan, mba/mba-ai-use-policy-check, mba/mba-post-mba-career-plan, mba/mba-loan-repayment-plan, career/offer-comparison, personal/budget
-->

## Document control

<!-- Guidance: One workbook per application cycle. Keep the "facts last checked" date honest: it is the date you opened the official pages, not the date you edited the file. -->

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document ID | INTL-PLAN-[YYYY] |
| Applicant | [Your name] |
| Citizenship(s) | [Country or countries of passport] |
| Current country of residence | [Country] |
| Target intake | [Month YYYY] |
| Destinations in scope | [US / UK / EU country / Canada / Asia location] |
| Facts last checked on official pages | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Version | [0.1] |
| Status | [Draft / In use / Closed] |
| Reviewed by | [Mentor, coach or international student adviser] |
| Last updated | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Classification | Personal, contains passport and financial data: store locally |

## Contents

1. Your situation
2. The planning process
3. Destination rules: dated facts and questions
4. Destination scoring worksheet
5. English tests
6. Credential evaluation and academic documents
7. Funding for non-residents
8. Timeline
9. Workbook questions
10. Quality checklist
11. Common mistakes
12. Ethics, honesty and AI use

## 1. Your situation

<!-- Guidance: Answer before reading any rules. The purpose is to know which rules matter to you. A candidate who plans to return home after the MBA cares little about post-study work routes and a lot about cost and network. -->

The same MBA can be an excellent choice for one international applicant and a poor one for another, because the
value of the degree depends heavily on where the graduate is allowed to work afterwards. Start by writing down the
facts and intentions that will filter every later choice.

| Question | Your answer | *Example* (Amara Okafor) |
|---|---|---|
| Where do you want to work in the first three years after the MBA? | [Country or region] | *Example:* US or Canada first choice, home country (Nigeria) acceptable |
| Which role and industry? | [Role, industry] | *Example:* product management in climate technology |
| Does that employer group sponsor work visas for new graduates? | [Yes / Some / Rarely, with evidence] | *Example:* large tech firms yes, start-ups rarely |
| How many years of post-study work do you need to repay costs and gain experience? | [Years] | *Example:* at least 3 |
| Do you have dependants who will travel with you? | [Yes / No, details] | *Example:* no |
| Savings you can prove at visa stage | [Amount, currency] | *Example:* USD 60,000 |
| Can you borrow without a co-signer in the destination country? | [Yes / No / Unknown] | *Example:* unknown, check lenders in section 7 |
| English test status | [Test, date, score or "not taken"] | *Example:* not taken, first degree taught in English |
| Degree length and grading system | [Years, scale] | *Example:* 4-year bachelor's, 5-point CGPA |
| Any previous visa refusals or status issues? | [Yes / No] | *Example:* no |

Write one paragraph that states your priority order, for example "post-study work rights, then total cost, then
programme length". You will use that order to set the weights in section 4.

## 2. The planning process

<!-- Guidance: The process runs in parallel with the application itself (see mba/mba-application-tracker). The diagram shows the order of decisions, not the calendar; the calendar is in section 8. -->

Check the rules before you score schools, and loop back whenever a destination fails the post-study work test. The
funding and visa steps start only after admission, but their lead times mean you must prepare documents early.

```mermaid
flowchart TD
    A["Section 1: define target work country and constraints"] --> B["Section 3: check rules on official pages, date each fact"]
    B --> C{"Post-study work route fits your plan?"}
    C -- "No" --> D["Drop destination or change plan"]
    C -- "Yes" --> E["Section 4: score destinations and programmes"]
    D --> B
    E --> F["Sections 5 and 6: tests, credential evaluation"]
    F --> G["Apply (mba/mba-application-tracker)"]
    G --> H["Admit: section 7 funding proof and loans"]
    H --> I["Student visa application with school documents"]
    I --> J["Arrive, keep status, plan work authorisation early"]
```

## 3. Destination rules: dated facts and questions

<!-- Guidance: Each subsection gives the facts as checked on the official page in October 2026, then the questions you must answer for your own case. Re-check every fact on the date you decide, and write that date in the "checked" column of the summary table. -->

The table summarises the post-study work position as checked on official pages on 2026-10-28. It is a starting
point for your own checks, not a ruling on any individual case.

| Destination | Post-study work route (as of October 2026) | Typical length | Official page to check | Checked on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Optional Practical Training (OPT), plus a 24-month STEM OPT extension for degrees on the DHS STEM list; long-term work usually needs an employer-sponsored visa such as H-1B | 12 months OPT, up to 24 more months with STEM OPT | studyinthestates.dhs.gov, uscis.gov | [YYYY-MM-DD] |
| United Kingdom | Graduate route | 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027 (doctorates 3 years) | gov.uk/graduate-visa | [YYYY-MM-DD] |
| European Union | Job-search or business-start residence after studies, required by Directive (EU) 2016/801, Article 25, with national rules on top | at least 9 months under the Directive, national rules may give more | eur-lex.europa.eu and the national immigration authority | [YYYY-MM-DD] |
| Canada | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | 3 years for an eligible master's programme of at least 8 months (limited by passport validity) | canada.ca (IRCC) | [YYYY-MM-DD] |
| Asia (location by location) | Varies widely by jurisdiction | Varies | The immigration authority of each location | [YYYY-MM-DD] |

### 3.1 United States

<!-- Guidance: The US has three separate questions: can you work during and right after the programme (OPT), is your programme STEM-designated (STEM OPT), and can you stay longer (employer-sponsored visas, H-1B). Keep them separate in your notes. -->

**Post-completion OPT and STEM OPT.** As of October 2026, the DHS Study in the States pages describe Optional
Practical Training as a period of work authorisation for F-1 students related to their field of study, and a
24-month STEM OPT extension for students who hold a qualifying STEM degree and are in their initial period of
post-completion OPT. The official STEM OPT pages list these conditions: the degree is on the DHS STEM Designated
Degree Program List (identified by the CIP code the school assigns to the programme), it was earned from an
SEVP-certified and accredited school, the employer is enrolled in E-Verify, the student and employer complete a
Form I-983 training plan, and the student keeps within the unemployment limit (150 days in total across the
initial OPT and the STEM extension). Check the current conditions at
[studyinthestates.dhs.gov STEM OPT Hub](https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub) and
[ICE SEVP practical training](https://www.ice.gov/sevis/practical-training) before you rely on them.

**What "STEM-designated MBA" means.** Over the past several years many US business schools have classified their
MBA programmes, or tracks within them, under a CIP code that appears on the DHS STEM list (often in management
science or business analytics). The designation belongs to the programme and the CIP code on your Form I-20, not
to the courses you choose, and some schools require you to complete a specific track or set of courses to graduate
under the STEM code. Ask each school, in writing, the questions below.

| Question for the school | School A | School B | School C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which CIP code appears on the I-20 for the MBA, and is it on the current DHS STEM list? | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Is the whole MBA STEM-designated, or only a track? What must I complete to qualify? | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| What share of recent international graduates used STEM OPT? (school data, with date) | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Does the international student office (ISSO) publish H-1B and OPT updates? Link | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| *Example* | 52.1301, whole programme, ISSO news page | STEM track only, 4 required analytics courses | not STEM-designated |

**H-1B: a fast-moving area (register U5, unsettled).** The H-1B is the most common employer-sponsored visa for
graduates who stay in the US after OPT. Its rules changed several times in 2025 and 2026. The dated facts below come
from the official USCIS and White House pages and from university international office updates, as published by
late October 2026. Read them as a record of what happened, not as a description of the rules on the day you read
this.

| Date | Event (as reported on the official pages) | Source to check |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-19 | Presidential Proclamation requires a USD 100,000 payment for certain new H-1B petitions, effective for petitions filed from 21 September 2025 | [USCIS H-1B page](https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations) |
| 2025-10-20 | USCIS guidance: the payment applies to new petitions for workers outside the US; petitions approved for a change of status inside the US (for example F-1 to H-1B) are not subject to it, unless USCIS finds the person ineligible for the change of status | USCIS alert on the Proclamation, summarised by university offices such as the Harvard International Office |
| 2026-06-08 | US District Court for the District of Massachusetts vacates the agency guidance that implemented the payment | [USCIS H-1B page](https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations) |
| 2026-07-24 | First Circuit denies the government's request to pause that order while the appeal proceeds; USCIS states it will comply with the court order, and university offices report that the payment is not owed while the order stands | USCIS H-1B page, university updates |
| 2026-09-18 | New Proclamation extends the 2025 Proclamation for 12 months, until 21 September 2027 | [whitehouse.gov presidential actions](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/restriction-on-entry-of-certain-nonimmigrant-workers-faad/) |
| 2026 (several dates) | Other cases in other courts reached different outcomes; university offices describe the position as blocked but still in litigation | University updates, for example [Yale OISS](https://oiss.yale.edu/news/presidential-proclamation-extends-h-1b-100000-fee-policy-fee-remains-blocked-by-court-order) |
| 2026-08 | DHS publishes a proposed rule for a separate fee on cap-subject H-1B petitions (comment period closed 24 September 2026); a proposed rule is not in effect until finalised | Federal Register, university updates |

USCIS has also announced changes to how H-1B registrations are selected, giving more weight to higher wage levels.
Check the current selection process for the registration season that would apply to you on the USCIS H-1B page.

Questions for your plan (answer, do not guess):

- If I complete OPT and STEM OPT, how many registration seasons would I have while still in status? [ ]
- Do the employers I target sponsor H-1B for new MBA hires, and do they mention the payment in recruiting? [ ]
- Who at each school's ISSO tracks litigation, and how do they publish updates? [ ]
- What is my plan if I am not selected or the rules change: another country, a role abroad with the same employer,
  or home? [ ]
- On what date will I check the USCIS page again? [YYYY-MM-DD]

### 3.2 United Kingdom

<!-- Guidance: The UK question is mostly about timing: when you would apply for the Graduate route, which decides how long it lasts. One-year MBAs make this date come quickly. -->

As of October 2026 the UK government page for the Graduate visa states that the route lasts 2 years if you apply on
or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027, with 3 years for a PhD or other
doctoral qualification. You apply from inside the UK while holding a Student visa, after the education provider has
told the Home Office that you completed the course. The page lists an application fee of GBP 937 and an immigration
health surcharge of usually GBP 1,035 for each year of the visa. Check
[gov.uk/graduate-visa](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) for the current length, fees and conditions.

- When would I complete my course and apply, and what length would apply on that date? [ ]
- After the Graduate route, which longer-term route (for example a sponsored skilled worker role) would my target
  employers offer, and what salary conditions apply? Check the gov.uk page for that route. [ ]
- Does a one-year programme give me enough time to recruit before graduation? [ ]

### 3.3 European Union

<!-- Guidance: The EU sets a floor; each member state implements it and may be more generous. Always read the national authority's page for the country where you will study. -->

Directive (EU) 2016/801 on students and researchers requires member states, in Article 25, to allow students who
have completed their studies to stay for at least nine months to look for work or set up a business, in the member
state that admitted them. The Article lets member states set conditions, such as a minimum degree level (not higher
than EQF level 7, which covers master's degrees), and, after at least three months, proof that the person has a
genuine chance of being hired or of starting a business. National rules often go further than the floor, and the
Directive does not apply in every EU country (check the recitals for the member states that did not take part).
Check the text at [EUR-Lex, Directive (EU) 2016/801](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/801/oj/eng) and,
above all, the immigration authority of the country where you would study.

- Country of study: [ ]. National job-search permit length and conditions, with link and date: [ ]
- Which work permit would I move to, and is there a salary threshold (for example an EU Blue Card)? [ ]
- Is the local language required for the jobs I want, even if the MBA is taught in English? [ ]

### 3.4 Canada

<!-- Guidance: Canada's rules depend on the institution, the programme and your language test. Check all three for each programme. -->

As of October 2026, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada pages on the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
state that graduates of a master's programme of at least eight months can apply for a 3-year PGWP even if the
programme was shorter than two years, provided they meet all other requirements; that master's graduates have no
field-of-study requirement; that university degree graduates who applied on or after 1 November 2024 must show
language results at CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all four skills; that you are not eligible if you have
already received a PGWP; and that the permit is issued only for the period your passport is valid. The programme
must be at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution: not every designated learning institution qualifies.
Check [canada.ca PGWP eligibility](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html)
(modified 2026-06-24) and [canada.ca about the PGWP](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/about.html)
(modified 2026-03-09).

- Is the programme at a PGWP-eligible institution and of an eligible length? [ ]
- Will my language test result meet the PGWP level as well as the school's admission level? [ ]
- Have I already held a PGWP? [ ]

### 3.5 Asia and other destinations

<!-- Guidance: Do not assume one Asian model. Each jurisdiction (for example Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, the Gulf states) has its own student pass and post-study rules, and they change. -->

Leading one-year and two-year MBA programmes in Asia attract many international students, often with lower total
costs and strong regional recruiting. Post-study work options differ by jurisdiction: some offer a dedicated
graduate route, others expect you to obtain an employer-sponsored work pass before your student pass ends. For each
location in scope, find the immigration authority's own page and record:

| Question | Location 1: [ ] | Location 2: [ ] |
|---|---|---|
| Student pass conditions and work allowed during study | [ ] | [ ] |
| Is there a post-study stay or job-search route? Length and conditions | [ ] | [ ] |
| Employer-sponsored pass after graduation: salary or quota rules | [ ] | [ ] |
| Official page and date checked | [ ] | [ ] |

## 4. Destination scoring worksheet

<!-- Guidance: Set weights from your priority order in section 1. Score each criterion from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) using only facts you have checked. Keep the evidence column filled: a score without evidence is a guess. -->

| Criterion | Weight (total 100) | Destination 1: [ ] | Destination 2: [ ] | Destination 3: [ ] | Evidence and date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post-study work route length and certainty | [ ] | [1 to 5] | [1 to 5] | [1 to 5] | [ ] |
| Path to longer-term work status | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Recruiting strength for my target role | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Total economic cost (section 7) | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Funding available to non-residents | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Programme length and time out of work | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Network in my home region | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Personal fit (family, language, climate, safety) | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Weighted score | 100 | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | `=SUMPRODUCT(weights, scores)/100` |

Use the weighted score to start a conversation with yourself, not to end it. If one criterion is a hard constraint
(for example "I must be able to work at least three years in North America"), apply it as a filter before scoring
rather than as a weight. Then move the surviving programmes to mba/mba-program-comparison and
mba/mba-school-list-strategy.

## 5. English tests

<!-- Guidance: Two different minimums can apply: the school's admission requirement and an immigration requirement (for example the Canadian PGWP language level, or a UK visa requirement where the school does not assess English itself). Plan for the higher one. -->

Most leading programmes ask non-native speakers for an English test unless a waiver applies, typically for a degree
taught entirely in English in a listed country, or for a set number of years of study or work in English. Waiver
rules are school-specific and change; record each one from the admissions page.

As of October 2026, ETS states that from 21 January 2026 the TOEFL iBT reports scores on a 1 to 6 scale in
half-band steps aligned with CEFR levels, and that score reports also show a comparable 0 to 120 score during a
transition period of two years from the launch (to about January 2028). A school that still lists a minimum on the 0 to 120 scale may translate it
differently from what you expect; ask which scale it uses. Check
[ets.org TOEFL score scale](https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/score-scale-update.html). For the full test
plan (which test, how many attempts, preparation) use mba/mba-english-test-plan; for GMAT, GRE and Executive
Assessment use mba/mba-admissions-test-plan.

| School | Tests accepted | Minimum (scale and date read) | Waiver rule | Immigration language rule for this destination | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [School] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [Needed / Waived / Done] |
| *Example* School D (Canada) | TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic | [Read from page, 2026-10-28] | degree in English: case by case | PGWP: CLB 7 in all four skills | *Example:* test needed for PGWP even if waived for admission |

## 6. Credential evaluation and academic documents

<!-- Guidance: Ask each school three questions early: does it need an evaluation, from whom, and by when. Evaluations can take several weeks, and some schools ask for them only after admission. -->

Admissions committees read transcripts from many systems, but they cannot always tell how your grading scale, degree
length or honours classification compare. Some schools evaluate foreign credentials internally; others ask for a
report from an independent credential evaluation service, often at the admit stage. Three issues come up most:

1. **Degree length.** Some schools or immigration rules treat a three-year bachelor's degree differently from a
   four-year degree. Ask whether yours meets the admission requirement and, for the US, whether a postgraduate
   year changes the answer.
2. **Grading scale.** Do not convert your grades to a 4.0 scale yourself unless the application asks you to.
   Report them on the original scale and attach the scale description from your university.
3. **Language of documents.** Transcripts and degree certificates not in English usually need certified
   translations; keep originals and translations together.

| Document | Needed by | Who issues it | Lead time | Translation needed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official transcript | [School, stage] | [University] | [Weeks] | [Yes / No] | [ ] |
| Degree certificate | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Credential evaluation report | [ ] | [Service named by the school] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Grading scale statement | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| *Example* evaluation for School A | after admission, before I-20 | service on the school's list | 3 to 6 weeks | no | *Example:* ordered YYYY-MM-DD |

Record any name differences between your passport, transcripts and test scores now; mismatches cause delays at the
visa stage.

## 7. Funding for non-residents

<!-- Guidance: Funding decides two things: whether you can afford the programme, and whether you can prove funds for the student visa. Schools issue visa documents (for example the US Form I-20) only after you show the full first-year cost. -->

International students usually cannot use the public loan schemes of the country where they study. In the US, as
of October 2026, federal student aid is limited to citizens and eligible non-citizens, and the studentaid.gov
eligibility guidance and FAFSA instructions tell holders of F-1 and J-1 student or exchange visas that they are not
eligible (check [studentaid.gov eligibility](https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/eligibility.pdf)). The usual
sources for non-residents are:

- **School scholarships and fellowships**, merit-based or need-based. Some schools assess need for international
  applicants with their own forms. Ask whether international students are eligible for every award.
- **School-arranged loans** for international students, sometimes without a co-signer in the destination country.
- **Private lenders** that lend to international students of selected schools, with or without a co-signer.
- **Home-country sources**: government scholarships, employer sponsorship, banks, foundations. Some carry a
  return-home obligation; read it before you accept.
- **Savings and family funds.**

Do not commit to a loan until you have compared the total repayment (mba/mba-loan-repayment-plan) and checked the
loan's currency: a loan in one currency repaid from a salary in another adds exchange-rate risk.

**Example cost and funding worksheet** (fictional schools and planning exchange rates, computed in
`calc/mba-international-applicant-plan.py`). Forgone salary uses USD 4,000 a month; savings are USD 60,000.

| School *(Example)* | Tuition, living and fees (local) | In USD at planning rate | Forgone salary (USD) | Economic cost (USD) | Gap after savings (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School A, US, 2-year, 21 months on campus | USD 232,000 | 232,000 | 84,000 | 316,000 | 172,000 |
| School B, UK, 1-year, 12 months | GBP 124,900 | 162,370 | 48,000 | 210,370 | 102,370 |
| School C, EU, 10 months | EUR 120,500 | 132,550 | 40,000 | 172,550 | 72,550 |
| School D, Canada, 16 months | CAD 165,600 | 119,232 | 64,000 | 183,232 | 59,232 |
| School E, Asia, 12 months | SGD 111,800 | 83,850 | 48,000 | 131,850 | 23,850 |

Excel formulas for row 2 with inputs in columns B (tuition), C (living per month), D (months), E (fees), F (rate to
USD): local total `=B2+C2*D2+E2`; USD `=(B2+C2*D2+E2)*F2`; forgone salary `=4000*D2`; economic cost `=G2+H2`; gap
`=G2-60000`. The planning rates used are GBP 1.30, EUR 1.10, CAD 0.72 and SGD 0.75 to USD; replace them with the
rates on the day you plan and test a 10% adverse move.

The table shows why one-year programmes are attractive to many international applicants: lower cash cost and
less time out of work. It does not show the other side of the decision, which is the post-study work route and
the recruiting outcome. Combine both in mba/mba-decision-roi.

```vega-lite
{
  "$schema": "https://vega.github.io/schema/vega-lite/v5.json",
  "description": "Example economic cost by fictional school, cash cost plus forgone salary, USD",
  "width": 360,
  "height": 220,
  "data": {"values": [
    {"school": "A (US)", "part": "Cash cost", "usd": 232000},
    {"school": "A (US)", "part": "Forgone salary", "usd": 84000},
    {"school": "B (UK)", "part": "Cash cost", "usd": 162370},
    {"school": "B (UK)", "part": "Forgone salary", "usd": 48000},
    {"school": "C (EU)", "part": "Cash cost", "usd": 132550},
    {"school": "C (EU)", "part": "Forgone salary", "usd": 40000},
    {"school": "D (Canada)", "part": "Cash cost", "usd": 119232},
    {"school": "D (Canada)", "part": "Forgone salary", "usd": 64000},
    {"school": "E (Asia)", "part": "Cash cost", "usd": 83850},
    {"school": "E (Asia)", "part": "Forgone salary", "usd": 48000}
  ]},
  "mark": "bar",
  "encoding": {
    "x": {"field": "school", "type": "nominal", "title": "School (Example)"},
    "y": {"field": "usd", "type": "quantitative", "aggregate": "sum", "title": "USD"},
    "color": {"field": "part", "type": "nominal", "title": "Component"}
  }
}
```

**Proof of funds.** Student visa applications usually require evidence that you can pay the first year (or the
whole course) from listed sources. Ask each school which documents it accepts (bank statements, loan approval
letters, sponsor letters), how recent they must be, and whether scholarships count.

| Proof item | Amount | Currency | Date of document | Accepted by school (Yes / No / Ask) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Bank statement] | [ ] | [ ] | YYYY-MM-DD | [ ] |
| [Loan approval letter] | [ ] | [ ] | YYYY-MM-DD | [ ] |
| [Scholarship letter] | [ ] | [ ] | YYYY-MM-DD | [ ] |

## 8. Timeline

<!-- Guidance: T is the programme start date. International applicants need extra lead time for tests, evaluations, proof of funds and visa appointments; some consulates have long waits. Replace each relative date with a real date. -->

| When | Task | Done |
|---|---|---|
| T-24 to T-18 months | Section 1 and section 3 for every destination; first school list | [ ] |
| T-18 to T-14 months | English test and GMAT or GRE (mba/mba-admissions-test-plan, mba/mba-english-test-plan) | [ ] |
| T-15 to T-12 months | Ask schools about STEM designation, credential evaluation, funding for internationals | [ ] |
| T-13 to T-9 months | Round 1 or Round 2 applications (dates on each school's page) | [ ] |
| T-9 to T-6 months | Decisions, scholarship requests, loan applications | [ ] |
| T-6 to T-4 months | Deposit, proof of funds, school issues visa documents | [ ] |
| T-4 to T-2 months | Visa application and appointment; book travel only after the visa | [ ] |
| T-1 month | Housing, health insurance, arrival documents | [ ] |
| T+1 to T+3 months | Attend ISSO briefings on work authorisation; start recruiting plan (mba/mba-recruiting-plan) | [ ] |

## 9. Workbook questions

<!-- Guidance: Answer in full sentences. The answers become the backbone of your "why MBA, why this school, why now" story and of your interview answers about post-MBA plans. -->

1. In one paragraph: where will you work after the MBA, and what is the legal route that lets you do so? [ ]
2. What happens to your plan if that route becomes harder during your programme? Name your plan B. [ ]
3. Which destination gives you the best combination of work rights, cost and recruiting for your role, and what
   evidence supports that? [ ]
4. How will you explain your post-MBA goal to an admissions committee in a way that is credible for an
   international graduate (see mba/mba-goals-essay)? [ ]
5. Which three people (alumni from your country, current students, ISSO staff) will you ask about real outcomes for
   international graduates? [ ]
6. What is the largest financial risk in your plan (exchange rate, loan, job search length), and how will you
   limit it? [ ]

## 10. Quality checklist

<!-- Guidance: Tick each item only when the evidence is in the workbook. -->

- [ ] Every immigration fact has a link to the official page and a "checked on" date within the last 30 days.
- [ ] Unsettled items (such as H-1B fees) are recorded as dated facts with a re-check date, not as rules.
- [ ] For each US school: CIP code, STEM status and any track requirement confirmed in writing.
- [ ] For each school: English test minimum, scale and waiver rule recorded with date.
- [ ] Credential evaluation needs and deadlines known for each school.
- [ ] Funding plan covers the full cost and the proof-of-funds requirement.
- [ ] A plan B exists for post-study work.
- [ ] Every *Example* row deleted or replaced.
- [ ] No legal conclusion is written as fact; open legal questions list who you will ask.

## 11. Common mistakes

<!-- Guidance: Read before you finalise the school list. Each of these has cost applicants a year or a visa. -->

1. **Choosing a school before checking post-study work rights.** The degree is the same; the right to use it in a
   given country is not.
2. **Assuming every US MBA is STEM-designated.** Designation depends on the programme's CIP code and sometimes on a
   track you must complete.
3. **Reading old blog posts about visa rules.** Rules for H-1B, UK and Canadian routes changed in 2024 to 2026; use
   official pages with dates.
4. **Treating a court ruling or a proposed rule as final.** Litigation and rulemaking continue; record the date and
   check again.
5. **Planning for the admission English minimum only.** Immigration language rules (such as the Canadian PGWP level)
   can be higher.
6. **Converting grades to another scale on your own.** Report the original scale with the university's explanation.
7. **Ignoring the forgone salary in the cost comparison.** Two-year programmes cost more in time out of work as well
   as in tuition.
8. **Borrowing in one currency to repay from another without a stress test.** A 10% currency move can change the
   payback period by years.
9. **Leaving proof of funds until after admission.** Schools need it before issuing visa documents, and bank
   documents often need to be recent.
10. **Not asking the ISSO.** International student offices see hundreds of cases a year and publish updates; they
    are your first contact, with an immigration lawyer for anything specific.

## 12. Ethics, honesty and AI use

<!-- Guidance: Admissions, visa and funding documents carry legal consequences. Accuracy is not a style choice. -->

Every statement on an application, visa form or loan application must be true and complete. Never overstate funds,
work experience or test scores, and never use documents you did not obtain yourself. If you use AI tools to
translate, summarise rules or check grammar, verify the result on the official page and follow each school's AI
policy for application materials (record them in mba/mba-ai-use-policy-check). AI summaries of immigration rules
are often out of date, which is a second reason to rely on official pages only.

## Sources and further reading

<!-- Guidance: Add the national pages you used for your destinations, with the date you checked them. -->

- US Department of Homeland Security, Study in the States: STEM OPT Hub and STEM OPT Extension Overview.
  [studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub](https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub) (checked 2026-10-28).
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, SEVP: Practical Training. [ice.gov/sevis/practical-training](https://www.ice.gov/sevis/practical-training).
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services: H-1B Specialty Occupations and alerts on the Presidential Proclamation.
  [uscis.gov](https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations) (checked 2026-10-28).
- The White House (18 September 2026). Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (extends Proclamation 10973
  to 21 September 2027). [whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/restriction-on-entry-of-certain-nonimmigrant-workers-faad/) (checked 2026-10-28).
- Yale Office of International Students and Scholars (23 September 2026). Presidential Proclamation extends H-1B fee policy, fee
  remains blocked by court order. [oiss.yale.edu](https://oiss.yale.edu/news/presidential-proclamation-extends-h-1b-100000-fee-policy-fee-remains-blocked-by-court-order).
- UK Government: Graduate visa. [gov.uk/graduate-visa](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) (checked 2026-10-28).
- Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the conditions of entry
  and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service,
  pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au pairing, Article 25. *Official Journal of the European
  Union*, L 132. [EUR-Lex](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/801/oj/eng).
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility (modified 2026-06-24) and
  About the PGWP (modified 2026-03-09). [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html) (checked 2026-10-28).
- ETS: TOEFL iBT score scale update. [ets.org](https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/score-scale-update.html).
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for federal student aid. [studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/eligibility.pdf).
- GMAC: Prospective Students Survey (latest edition) on destination preferences of international candidates. [gmac.com](https://www.gmac.com/market-intelligence-and-research).

## Revision history

<!-- Guidance: Add a row each time you re-check the official pages, even if nothing changed. -->

| Version | Date | Author | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | YYYY-MM-DD | [Name] | First version from template |
| [0.2] | YYYY-MM-DD | [Name] | [Re-checked US, UK and Canada pages, updated H-1B table] |

## Standard and licence note

Based on the public immigration, test and student-aid pages of the US, UK and Canadian governments, Directive (EU)
2016/801 and ETS, as published in October 2026. The text is original and summarises those pages in its own words;
it is not affiliated with or endorsed by any school, government agency or test provider. Rules change often: check
the current official version of every page before you rely on it. Template licence: MIT.