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About Us

Welcome to the USA Student Guide, your dedicated resource for financial literacy tailored specifically for international students, scholars, and professionals living in the United States on F-1, OPT, CPT, and H-1B status.

Our Mission

Coming to the United States as an international student is an incredible academic and personal milestone. However, it also introduces a highly complex financial landscape. From opening your first checking account without a Social Security Number (SSN) to understanding the intricacies of the US tax code and starting your investing journey, navigating personal finance as a non-resident alien can be overwhelming.

Our mission is simple: To demystify personal finance for the international community. We provide clear, accurate, up-to-date, and actionable guides on:

  • Finding student-friendly banking solutions
  • Understanding non-resident tax filing requirements and avoiding common software traps
  • Building credit safely and effectively from day one
  • Starting your retirement planning and investing journey within IRS regulations

Who Runs This Site?

Ankit Karki - Founder of USA Student Guide

Ankit Karki

Founder, USA Student Guide

I arrived in the United States with two suitcases, a folder full of I-20s, and a lot of questions about how money works in this country. Like many of you, I had to navigate the complex world of F-1 visas, OPT, and US taxes without a clear roadmap.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Kantipur Engineering College (2012 – 2016) and a Master of Science in Financial Engineering from Columbia University (2018 – 2020). This technical and quantitative background helped me develop the analytical skills needed to break down complex US financial and immigration regulations into simple, actionable steps.

During my journey, I saw too many friends lose job offers due to simple USCIS processing delays or get hit with massive tax penalties because standard software isn't built for non-resident aliens. I built the USA Student Guide to be the resource I wish I had on day one.

Connect with me on LinkedIn →

I built this platform to demystify the financial landscape for international students through:

  • Lived Experience: I’ve opened the bank accounts, filed the non-resident taxes, and navigated the OPT "unemployment clock" myself.
  • Verified Accuracy: All tax content is verified against current IRS publications before publishing.
  • Fact-Checked: Our articles are cross-referenced with official IRS and USCIS documentation.
  • Community Focused: My goal is to help the next generation of international students build a stable financial future in the US.

Get in Touch

We are always looking for ways to improve our content and help you succeed financially in the US. If you have questions, feedback, or content suggestions, please visit our Contact Page to send us a message.

Last updated: May 5, 2026.