In recent years, many Chinese applicants have chosen to immigrate with their families, primarily to provide their children with access to more advanced international education. Generally speaking, once immigration is successful and a green card is obtained, one can enjoy the same benefits as local residents, including access to schools, tuition, and various subsidies. Some individuals wish to understand the educational issues related to children of U.S. permanent residents, such as the differences between education for immigrant children and direct study abroad. Accordingly, I have invited experts to calculate this for our readers.
[Education Policy]
United States: Immigrant Children Have a Greater Chance of Entering Prestigious Schools
In the United States, good universities reserve most of their spots for local students, making it significantly easier for immigrant children to gain admission to schools ranked in the top 100 worldwide. Furthermore, after obtaining a green card and residing in the U.S. for five years, one can apply for citizenship, and children can automatically gain citizenship alongside their parents. In contrast, if studying abroad, students can also remain in the U.S. after graduation, as there is a post-graduation internship period known as OPT, which is valid for one year after graduation. During this time, students must find employment and have their employer sponsor a work visa (H-1), which is valid for six years and can be extended every three years. During this period, it is necessary to change status to immigrant status; otherwise, one will be deported after the visa expires.
Once the application for status change has been submitted, the six-year H-1 can be extended further. However, finding a job can be challenging unless one is a highly sought-after talent.
[Work Policy]
Children of Immigrants in the U.S. Are Not Restricted from Working
International students in the U.S. generally hold two types of visas: J1 (government-sponsored student visa) and F1 (private student visa). Students holding a J1 visa can work 20 hours per week, but the work must be related to their field of study; students with an F1 visa can also work 20 hours per week, but their work must be limited to on-campus employment. In contrast, there are no restrictions on working for immigrant children while they are in school.
[Education Costs]
United States: Immigrant Children Receive 12 Years of Free Compulsory Education
The United States offers 12 years of compulsory education, and public schools are genuinely free, saving approximately $300,000. Local students pay only a few thousand dollars per year to attend public universities. Local students attending private universities only need to pay the actual tuition set by the institution.
If studying abroad, the annual tuition and living expenses for primary education are approximately 300,000 RMB. The annual cost of higher education for international students is also around 300,000 RMB. Generally, private schools are more expensive than public schools, with reputable private schools costing over 400,000 RMB per year. Students without scholarships must provide a financial guarantee of 1,000,000 RMB when applying for a visa. The tuition for international students is at least double that of local students, often around five times higher. Different states and schools have varying ratios; for instance, at a certain university in California, the tuition for international students was eight times that of local students.