ABSTRACT Although ‘student-migrant-workers’ is increasingly recognised as an important subcategory of temporary, high-skilled and ‘backdoor’ migrants, research on this group and their participation in the labour market, especially their entering precarious employment, remains limited. Using in-depth interview data with participants in the US F-1 OPT program, a type of post-graduation work permit, this study explores why many student visa holders enter temporary agency work, a precarious employment form. Findings suggest that student-migrant-workers make employment choices within the frame of reference of immigration regulations, weighing their labour market disadvantages against these regulations’ restrictions and offered opportunities. Despite the inherent employment precariousness of temporary agency work, student-migrant-workers find them a viable solution for managing their precarious legal status and the unfavourable labour market position. The employment has the potential to facilitate maintaining their legal residence, extending work authorisations and transitioning to a ‘front door’ entry.