What Happens If You Change from a Public University to a Private University in Europe?

You begin your Master’s at a public university in Europe.

After one or two semesters, you realise that another programme at a private university might suit you better.

Maybe the private university offers:

• A more specialised Master’s
• Smaller class sizes
• Better industry exposure
• A programme taught fully in English
• More flexible admission
• A different city
• Better internship opportunities
• A curriculum that matches your career plans

So you decide to transfer.

Academically, this may seem straightforward:

Public University → Private University

But for an international student from India or another non-EU country, there is another question:

What happens to your student residence permit?

The good news is that moving from a public university to a private university does not automatically mean losing your residence permit.

In most cases, immigration authorities care less about whether your university is public or private and more about whether:

the new institution is officially recognised, the programme qualifies for student residence, you remain genuinely enrolled, and the change is properly reported or approved.

That last part is important.

 

Not every private institution offering something called a “Master’s” automatically qualifies for a student residence permit.

And transferring universities can affect:

• Residence status
• Academic progress
• Credit recognition
• Graduation date
• Tuition fees
• Financial proof
• Scholarships
• Post-study work eligibility

Here is what international students need to understand before making the switch.

First: Private University Does Not Mean Unrecognised University

Students sometimes assume:

Public university = recognised

and:

Private university = risky

That is too simplistic.

European countries can have officially accredited or state-recognised private universities whose degrees have the same formal higher-education status as other recognised institutions.

Austria, for example, officially includes accredited private universities among the institutions at which third-country students can pursue degree studies under a Residence Permit – Student.

Germany similarly requires international students using the study residence route to have admission to a state-recognised higher education institution. That can include a private institution if it has the required state recognition.

In the Netherlands, the rules are more specific: the programme must be appropriately accredited, and the educational institution must also be recognised by the IND as a sponsor for international students.

So the real distinction is not:

Public vs Private

It is:

Recognised/accredited institution vs institution that does not satisfy immigration and higher-education requirements.

Why This Matters Before You Pay a Deposit

Imagine you find a private institution advertising:

MSc International Business – Amsterdam

The website looks professional.

The programme is taught in English.

The fees are €15,000.

You pay a €5,000 deposit.

Only later do you discover that the institution is not an IND-recognised sponsor for student residence.

That can become a serious problem.

You might academically be able to enrol in some type of programme while being unable to use that enrolment to maintain your Dutch student residence permit.

Before paying any large non-refundable amount, therefore, verify:

Is the institution officially recognised?

Is the programme accredited?

Can this institution support my student residence status?

Never rely only on marketing phrases such as:

• Internationally recognised
• European degree
• Globally accredited
• Industry-certified
• International campus

Check the actual government or official higher-education register.

Austria: Can You Move from a Public to a Private University?

Yes, potentially.

Austria’s Residence Permit – Student can cover degree studies at:

• Austrian public universities
• Universities of applied sciences
• Accredited private universities
• Qualifying university colleges of teacher education.

This means that a move such as:

University of Vienna

↓

Accredited Austrian private university

does not automatically end your student residence pathway simply because the new institution is privately operated.

But you must handle the change correctly.

Austria Requires You to Inform the Residence Authority

OeAD’s current guidance specifically states that when a student changes their study programme, the residence authority must be informed, and the student needs to show the admission or confirmation for the new programme.

This is important because your original Residence Permit – Student was supported by your original academic situation.

You should therefore not simply:

Deregister from Public University A

↓

Enroll at Private University B

↓

Say nothing until next year’s residence renewal

A safer sequence is:

Get admission from University B

↓

Confirm that University B/programme qualifies for student residence

↓

Inform the competent residence authority

↓

Provide new admission documentation

↓

Then complete the transfer correctly

Your Previous Austrian Academic Progress Does Not Disappear

Changing university does not necessarily reset your immigration record.

OeAD states that when changing study programmes, the residence authority may still require proof of academic success from the previous programme when you later renew your residence title.

This is particularly important.

Imagine:

Year 1

Public university

Completed:

8 ECTS

Year 2

You switch to a private university.

You might think:

“New university, clean slate.”

Not necessarily.

Austria’s normal Residence Permit – Student renewal requires proof of successful study corresponding to:

16 ECTS per academic year

or:

8 semester hours, subject to relevant exceptions.

Your previous academic performance may therefore still matter.

Do Not Use a Private-University Transfer to Escape Academic Progress Problems

Suppose you have failed most of your subjects at a public university.

You realise your residence renewal may be difficult.

Then you enrol at a private university and assume:

“Now immigration will only look at my new admission letter.”

That is risky.

An immigration authority may still consider whether you genuinely used your previous residence period for study.

OeAD specifically warns that previous programme academic success can remain relevant after a study change.

Changing university can be completely legitimate.

But it should not be treated as a way to erase previous academic history.

Accredited Private Universities Are Valid Austrian Study Institutions

Austria currently has a recognised private-university sector alongside:

• Public universities
• Universities of applied sciences
• Teacher education institutions

OeAD’s Study in Austria platform lists recognised private higher education institutions and explains that Austrian private universities undergo accreditation and external review.

This means that if you are considering a private university in Austria, verify it through Austria’s official higher-education resources rather than simply searching:

“Best private universities Austria.”

Public vs Private Tuition in Austria Can Be Very Different

This is one of the biggest practical changes.

For third-country students holding a Residence Permit – Student at Austrian public universities, the general tuition figure currently listed for 2026 is:

€751.92 per semester

plus the compulsory ÖH/student accident-insurance contribution, subject to exceptions.

Private universities set their own tuition fees.

OeAD states that fees at private universities differ from institution to institution.

So your change might look like:

Public university: approximately €1,500/year tuition

versus:

Private university: potentially several thousand or tens of thousands of euros per year

depending on the institution and programme.

The immigration issue may be manageable.

The financial issue can be much larger.

Higher Tuition Can Affect Your Financial Planning

Your residence permit may require you to continue demonstrating sufficient funds for your living costs and other obligations.

A significantly more expensive university therefore changes your overall financial situation.

Before transferring, calculate:

Tuition

Rent

Insurance

Food

Transport

Residence renewal requirements

Possible additional semester

A private Master’s costing €20,000 per year may still make sense for a student’s goals.

But the decision should not be made only because:

“The curriculum looks easier.”

What Happens to Your ECTS Credits?

This is probably the biggest academic question.

Suppose you completed:

45 ECTS

at your public university.

You transfer to a private university.

Will all 45 ECTS automatically move with you?

Usually, no.

Credit recognition is a separate academic decision.

The new university may examine:

• Learning outcomes
• Course syllabus
• Academic level
• ECTS value
• Contact hours
• Assessment method
• Course content

It may then recognise:

All credits

or:

Some credits

or:

Very few credits

depending on programme compatibility.

Same Subject Name Does Not Guarantee Credit Transfer

For example:

Public University module:

Strategic Marketing – 6 ECTS

Private University module:

Advanced Strategic Marketing – 6 ECTS

Same ECTS.

Similar title.

But the new university may find that:

• Learning outcomes differ
• One course is introductory
• One has substantially different assessment
• Important components are missing

Therefore:

6 ECTS ≠ automatic 6 ECTS transfer

The new institution decides academic equivalence under its applicable rules.

Germany’s official study guidance similarly directs students changing universities or study programmes to formal recognition procedures for previous university achievements and competencies.

Get a Credit Evaluation Before Leaving Your Current University

This is extremely important.

Do not do:

Deregister from old university

↓

Join new university

↓

Ask how many credits transfer

You may discover too late that your:

60 completed ECTS

become:

24 recognised ECTS

That could add:

one additional year

to your degree.

A better sequence is:

Send transcript + module descriptions

↓

Ask for preliminary credit assessment

↓

Understand remaining modules

↓

Calculate new graduation date

↓

Then decide whether to transfer

Get the recognition decision in writing wherever possible.

Germany: Public vs Private Is Not the Main Immigration Question

Germany’s study residence route requires admission to a state-recognised higher education institution.

That means a recognised private German university can support a study residence permit.

So the question should not be:

“Is it private?”

It should be:

“Is it state-recognised?”

Germany has private institutions with valid state recognition.

But it also has private education providers whose programmes may not have the same status as study at a state-recognised higher education institution.

For an international student, that distinction is crucial.

Check Recognition Before Changing Universities in Germany

Before enrolling, verify:

Is the institution a state-recognised Hochschule?

Is this programme a recognised academic degree programme?

Will my local foreigners authority accept the new course as the continuation of my study purpose?

Germany’s official study-visa guidance makes admission to a state-recognised institution a core requirement of the study residence route.

This means that moving from:

Public University

to:

Recognised Private Hochschule

can be possible.

But moving from:

Public University

to:

Unrecognised private training provider

could put your student residence basis at risk.

Inform the German Foreigners Authority

Your residence permit exists for a specific purpose:

study.

Changing your university or programme can therefore require involvement from your local:

Ausländerbehörde – Foreigners Authority

particularly where the change alters:

• University
• Programme
• Academic field
• Expected study duration

Germany’s official portal specifically identifies the local foreigners authority as the authority responsible for clarifying immigration and residence status.

Do not wait until your next residence extension if your academic situation has significantly changed.

Contact:

International Office + Ausländerbehörde

before completing the switch.

Germany Also Allows Recognition of Previous Study Achievements

Changing university does not necessarily mean beginning your Master’s from zero.

Germany has formal mechanisms for recognising:

• Previous university study
• Academic achievements
• Skills acquired outside higher education

when students change universities or study programmes. Germany’s official study portal directs students to the national recognition resources for this purpose.

But again:

Recognition is an assessment, not an automatic transfer.

Netherlands: The New University Must Be an IND-Recognised Sponsor

The Netherlands has one of the clearest transfer systems.

The IND explicitly states that international students are allowed to change educational institutions during their studies.

Your existing residence permit can remain valid.

But there is a critical condition:

The new educational institution must be recognised by the IND as a sponsor.

This applies regardless of whether the institution is:

• Public
• Private

The immigration question is sponsorship and programme recognition.

You Usually Do Not Need a New Dutch Residence Permit Just Because You Transfer

This is a major advantage.

The IND states that if you transfer to another qualifying educational institution:

you do not need to apply for an entirely new student residence permit solely because of the transfer.

However:

you and the new institution must notify the IND, and the new institution must be a recognised sponsor.

So the Dutch transfer might look like:

University A = current IND sponsor

↓

Admission at University B

↓

Confirm University B is recognised sponsor

↓

Notify IND

↓

University B becomes new sponsor

↓

Existing student residence permit continues

This is much easier than leaving the Netherlands and applying for an entirely new visa.

How Do You Check a Dutch University?

The IND maintains an official Public Register of Recognised Sponsors for Study.

The register identifies institutions authorised to sponsor third-country students for study residence permits and is updated regularly.

Before transferring to a private institution, check the name against that register.

Do not accept:

“Yes, we have many international students.”

as sufficient evidence.

Ask:

“Are you currently listed as an IND recognised sponsor for study?”

Then verify it yourself.

The Dutch Programme Must Also Be Accredited

Recognised sponsor status alone is not the only requirement.

For higher education student residence, the Dutch IND requires the programme itself to be appropriately accredited—such as recognition by the NVAO in the Netherlands or the relevant European quality-assurance framework specified by the IND.

So you should check both:

Institution → recognised sponsor?

and:

Programme → properly accredited?

This is especially important with private providers offering:

• MBA programmes
• Executive programmes
• Certificates
• Short Master’s programmes

Not every educational product necessarily supports the same immigration status.

Dutch Academic Progress Does Not Reset After Transfer

The Netherlands normally requires international students to make sufficient progress each academic year.

The standard requirement is:

At least 50% of the credits for each study year.

Changing university does not mean immigration authorities suddenly stop caring about academic progress.

The new recognised sponsor becomes responsible for monitoring compliance under the Dutch sponsorship system.

So if your transfer results in:

• Lost credits
• Delayed study
• Poor annual progress

speak with the institution’s international office about how this affects your IND status.

Changing University Is Different From Changing Country

This distinction matters.

Suppose you change:

Public university in Vienna

to:

Private university in Vienna

You remain within the Austrian immigration system.

But suppose you change:

Public university in Austria

to:

Private university in Germany

That is not simply a university transfer.

That is also:

Austria → Germany

meaning a change of country.

Your Austrian Residence Permit – Student does not automatically become a German student residence permit.

You normally need to meet the destination country’s immigration requirements.

A residence card issued by one Schengen country does not give you the unrestricted right to permanently study in another country.

Limited EU student-mobility arrangements do exist for certain organised programmes, but ordinary permanent transfers are different.

What If the Private University Has a Campus in Another Country?

Be particularly careful with international university networks.

Imagine you enrol with:

University X – Vienna Campus

then transfer to:

University X – Berlin Campus

Academically, the university name may remain the same.

Immigration-wise:

Austria → Germany

is still a cross-border move.

Your residence permit is issued by a country, not by the university brand.

Always check immigration separately.

What About Online Private Universities?

This can be even more problematic.

Suppose you live in Austria under a Student Residence Permit and switch from:

full-time Austrian public university

to:

fully online private university based abroad

Can you continue living in Austria as a student?

Do not assume so.

Student residence permits are generally designed around qualifying studies at recognised institutions covered by the country’s residence rules.

Austria, for example, defines eligible Residence Permit – Student cases around admission to qualifying Austrian higher education institutions and specified programmes.

A remote degree offered by a foreign institution may not provide the same basis for Austrian student residence.

Online programme flexibility and immigration eligibility are different things.

Certificate Programme vs Master’s Degree

This is another area where students can get confused.

Private institutions often market:

• MSc
• MBA
• Executive MBA
• Postgraduate Diploma
• Certificate
• University certificate
• Professional programme

These do not necessarily have identical immigration treatment.

Austria, for example, distinguishes ordinary degree programmes from certain non-degree certificate programmes. Qualifying non-degree programmes need to meet specific residence requirements, including applicable ECTS conditions.

Therefore:

“It is taught by a university”

does not automatically mean:

“It gives me the same student residence rights as my current Master’s.”

Check the exact academic classification.

What Happens to Your Scholarship?

A university transfer can also end your funding.

Your scholarship may be:

University-specific

or:

Programme-specific

or:

Public-university-only

A scholarship from Public University A will not necessarily move to Private University B.

Before switching, ask:

• Can the scholarship transfer?
• Does it end immediately after deregistration?
• Do I need to repay anything?
• Can I apply for funding at the private university?

The immigration transfer may be legally possible while the financial transfer is impossible.

Can You Lose Student Housing?

Possibly.

University accommodation can depend on enrolment at a specific institution.

If you live in:

Public University A student residence

and transfer to:

Private University B

your housing contract may no longer satisfy the eligibility rules.

Check:

• Student dorm eligibility
• Notice period
• Deposit
• Rent increase
• Need for new Meldezettel/address registration if you move

Do not focus only on tuition.

Health Insurance May Need Updating Too

If your insurance is connected to:

• Student status
• University
• Age
• Study progression

a transfer can require updated documentation.

The good news is that transferring between recognised full-time programmes may still leave you eligible for student coverage.

But notify:

Insurance provider

and provide new enrolment confirmation if required.

What Happens to Your Part-Time Job?

Changing from public to private university normally does not, by itself, convert your student employment rights into something different if you continue holding the same valid student residence category.

But there may be an interruption between enrolments.

For example:

Deregister Public University: 30 June

Private University begins: 1 October

What is your status during:

July–September?

Do not assume that simply having a future admission letter automatically preserves all existing student employment rights.

Ask the immigration authority whether your student residence continues during the transition period.

Avoid a Gap Between Universities

This is especially important.

A risky sequence is:

Leave University A

↓

No active enrolment for six months

↓

Eventually begin University B

During that gap, immigration may ask whether you are still genuinely residing for the purpose of study.

A safer transfer is:

Secure University B admission

↓

Confirm immigration eligibility

↓

Coordinate end of University A

↓

Move directly into University B

The shorter and better documented the transition, the easier it generally is to explain.

Could the Transfer Delay Your Graduation?

Yes.

Suppose:

Original programme

120 ECTS

Credits completed:

60

New university recognises:

36

You lose:

24 ECTS

Your Master’s that was supposed to finish in:

June 2027

might now finish in:

February 2028

That can mean:

• Additional tuition
• Additional rent
• Additional residence renewal
• Additional insurance
• Delayed post-study work permit

So before transferring, calculate:

How many credits will actually transfer?

not simply:

How many credits have I completed?

Does Transferring Affect Your Post-Study Work Rights?

Potentially.

This is one of the most important long-term questions.

Many countries provide graduate immigration benefits only after completing a qualifying degree from the country.

For example, Austria’s graduate route allows eligible third-country nationals who successfully complete studies at an Austrian:

• Public university
• University of applied sciences
• Accredited private university

to extend the Residence Permit – Student for 12 months to search for employment or start a business.

This is important because it shows that graduating from a qualifying private Austrian university can still lead to the Austrian graduate pathway.

Public status is not required.

Recognition/accreditation is what matters.

Private University Does Not Automatically Weaken Your Post-Study Rights

This is a common fear.

Students may think:

“If I move from a public Austrian university to a private Austrian university, I won’t get the Red-White-Red Card graduate route.”

That is not automatically true.

Austria’s official migration guidance explicitly includes graduates of accredited private universities in the graduate pathway, alongside public universities and Universities of Applied Sciences.

Similarly, other countries focus on whether the institution and qualification satisfy their legal requirements—not simply who owns the university.

But Employer Perception Is a Separate Question

Immigration recognition and employer reputation are not identical.

A private university may be:

legally recognised

but have:

• Lower employer awareness
• Smaller alumni network
• Different research reputation

Or it may have excellent:

• Industry partnerships
• Specialist programmes
• Placement outcomes

Do not treat:

Government recognition

as proof that:

Every employer considers all universities identical.

Evaluate both.

Public vs Private: What Actually Changes?

Area	Public University	Private University
Residence eligibility	Usually possible at recognised institution	Possible if institution/programme meets immigration recognition requirements
Tuition	Often lower	Frequently higher
Accreditation	Must meet national requirements	Must verify carefully
Credit transfer	Assessed individually	Assessed individually
Class size	Often larger	Can be smaller
Programme flexibility	Varies	Can be more flexible
Academic reputation	Varies widely	Varies widely
Industry focus	Depends on programme	Some private institutions emphasise applied learning
Post-study rights	Depends on recognised qualification	Can be equivalent where qualification/institution satisfies national rules

The words:

public

and:

private

alone are not enough to decide which option is better.

A Practical Example: Austria

Priya begins:

MSc Economics

at a public university in Vienna.

After two semesters she completes:

48 ECTS

She decides she would prefer a more applied:

MSc International Management

at an accredited private Austrian university.

Before switching, Priya should:

Step 1

Confirm that the private institution is officially accredited.

Step 2

Obtain formal admission.

Step 3

Ask the new institution how many of her 48 ECTS can be recognised.

The result:

30 ECTS accepted

Step 4

Calculate the new graduation timeline and tuition cost.

Step 5

Inform the Austrian residence authority about the study-programme change and show the new admission confirmation. Austria may also require her previous academic-success evidence at the next renewal.

Step 6

Only then complete deregistration from her original programme.

Her Residence Permit – Student does not automatically disappear merely because the new university is private.

But the transfer has to remain compatible with Austria’s residence rules.

A Practical Example: Netherlands

Arjun begins at:

University A

which is his IND-recognised sponsor.

He wants to move to a private institution offering a specialised Master’s.

Before paying tuition, Arjun checks the IND’s public sponsor register.

The institution appears on the register.

He also verifies that the programme meets the required accreditation condition.

Arjun transfers.

Under current IND rules, he does not need a completely new residence permit solely because of the transfer.

But:

he + new institution must notify IND

and the new institution becomes his recognised sponsor.

If the private institution were not an IND-recognised sponsor, the immigration answer would be completely different.

A Practical Example: Germany

Meera studies at a German public university.

She finds a specialised cybersecurity Master’s at a private Hochschule.

Before transferring she checks:

Is this institution state-recognised?

Germany requires admission to a state-recognised institution for the normal study residence route.

She then asks:

• How many credits transfer?
• Does her local Ausländerbehörde need updated documentation?
• Will the new programme extend her study duration?
• Does she need additional financial proof at renewal?

The important question is not:

“Private university?”

It is:

“State-recognised private university with a valid academic programme?”

10 Questions to Ask Before Switching

Before changing institutions, get answers to these:

1. Is the private university officially recognised?

Never skip this.

2. Is my exact programme accredited?

An institution can offer many different programmes.

Check the programme itself where required.

3. Does the university qualify for student residence sponsorship?

Particularly important in countries such as the Netherlands.

4. Do I need immigration approval or notification?

Check before deregistering.

5. How many credits will transfer?

Get a written assessment where possible.

6. What will my new graduation date be?

A lost semester can affect residence and finances.

7. What is the total tuition cost?

Not just the first-semester fee.

8. Will my scholarship continue?

Do not assume funding transfers.

9. Will the degree qualify for the country’s post-study work route?

Verify before enrolling.

10. What happens between the two enrolment dates?

Avoid unexplained gaps in your student status.

8 Common Mistakes International Students Should Avoid

Mistake 1: Assuming Every Private University Is Visa-Eligible

It is not the word university on the website that matters.

Official recognition does.

Mistake 2: Leaving the Public University Before Securing New Admission

Never create an unnecessary gap.

Mistake 3: Assuming All ECTS Transfer

The new university decides recognition.

Mistake 4: Thinking a New University Erases Poor Academic Progress

Previous academic performance may still affect residence renewal.

Austria explicitly states this for programme changes.

Mistake 5: Looking Only at Tuition Per Semester

Include the additional semesters caused by lost credits.

Mistake 6: Assuming Your Residence Permit Automatically Updates Itself

Countries can require notification or immigration-authority involvement.

Mistake 7: Assuming Private Graduates Cannot Get Post-Study Permits

Recognised private university degrees can qualify in several systems. Austria explicitly includes accredited private-university graduates in its graduate RWR pathway.

Mistake 8: Trusting University Marketing Without Checking Government Registers

Verify independently.

A Safer Transfer Process

Use this order:

Step 1: Identify the New Programme

Compare curriculum and career outcome.

Step 2: Verify Recognition

Check the relevant official government or accreditation register.

Step 3: Confirm Immigration Eligibility

Ask whether the programme qualifies for your student residence category.

Step 4: Obtain Admission

Do not leave your current programme based on an informal offer.

Step 5: Request Credit Recognition

Send:

• Transcript
• Syllabi
• Module descriptions
• ECTS information

Step 6: Calculate Total Cost

Include:

• Tuition
• Lost credits
• Extra semesters
• Living costs

Step 7: Check Residence Procedure

Determine whether you need:

• Notification
• New sponsor
• Updated permit
• Authority approval

Step 8: Check Post-Study Rights

Make sure the final qualification gives you the immigration outcome you expect.

Step 9: Coordinate Deregistration

Only end your previous enrolment when the transition is secure.

Step 10: Keep Every Document

Save:

Old transcript + deregistration + new admission + credit recognition + immigration notification

You may need them during future residence renewals.

The Question You Should Really Ask

Instead of asking:

“Is a private university safe for my residence permit?”

ask:

“Is this specific private institution and this specific degree programme officially recognised for student residence purposes in this country?”

That question is much more useful.

A public university can be the better option because of:

• Lower fees
• Research quality
• Reputation

A private university can sometimes be better because of:

• Specialist curriculum
• Small classes
• Industry exposure
• Flexible structure

But immigration eligibility should be checked separately from academic preference.

The Bottom Line

Changing from a public university to a private university in Europe does not automatically mean losing your student residence permit.

The main issue is usually not whether the new institution is publicly or privately owned.

It is whether:

the new institution is recognised + the programme qualifies + your student status continues + the transfer is properly reported or approved.

In Austria, the Residence Permit – Student covers eligible degree studies at public universities, Universities of Applied Sciences and accredited private universities. If you change programme, the residence authority must be informed and shown your new admission documentation. Previous academic progress can also remain relevant at renewal.

In Germany, the normal study residence route requires admission to a state-recognised higher education institution, meaning recognised private universities can qualify. Previous academic achievements can also be assessed for recognition when changing institutions or programmes.

In the Netherlands, international students can transfer educational institutions while keeping their existing student residence permit, but the new institution must be an IND-recognised sponsor, the programme must meet the relevant accreditation requirement, and the change has to be reported to IND.

Most importantly, check how many of your existing credits will transfer.

Moving to another university might look like a simple academic change.

But losing:

30 ECTS

could mean:

one extra semester + additional tuition + additional living costs + another residence renewal + later graduation.

So before switching, verify four things:

Recognition → Residence permit → Credit transfer → Total cost

At Span International, we help students evaluate European universities beyond the admission letter—from programme selection and documentation to visa guidance and understanding the practical consequences of academic decisions after arrival.

Changing universities can sometimes be exactly the right move.

The key is making sure the new programme improves your education without unexpectedly disrupting your residence status or delaying your long-term career plans.