Opt Opportunities For International College Students In The Us

The federal Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows international students with F-1 status to gain U.S. work experience in their field of study. OPT is a type of work authorization that allows undergraduate and graduate students with F1 status to work towards getting practical training to complement their field of studies. Students can apply for OPT 90 days before or up to 60 days after their degree completion date. OPT is available for each higher level of study, and students can apply for a new OPT period for each new degree level they complete.

OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a form of temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. It allows international students to gain valuable experience and build their professional networks, which can help launch their careers. OPT is a critical component of US higher education, especially for students in STEM fields.

F-1 students often want to work, but employment opportunities are limited due to strict rules and regulations. OPT is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students, allowing them to gain practical training that complements their field of study. To be eligible for OPT, students must have completed their academic studies or have been pursuing their degrees for more than nine months (one academic year).

Students can apply for OPT in two different ways: pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT. Pre-completion OPT can be applied for after a student has been lawfully enrolled full-time for one full academic year at a college or university certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. Post-completion OPT can be applied for after completing studies, and students must work part-time (at least 20 hours per week) or full-time. All OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major field of study.

For students with degrees in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, they may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. This is known as the STEM OPT extension, and it provides an additional two years of work authorization and training for STEM students. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, students must meet certain requirements, such as being employed by an employer enrolled in and using E-Verify.

The process of applying for OPT can be technical and complicated, and students must comply with all requirements to maintain their student status. It is important to note that any employment outside of the field of study is unauthorized and can lead to serious consequences, including removal from the country.

OPT is available for each higher level of study

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work authorization available for international students in the United States. OPT allows students to gain practical, real-world work experience directly related to their field of study. It is available to students under the F1 visa program, who are enrolled at a college or university certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

To be eligible for OPT, students must be enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year (more than nine months) at an approved college or university. The OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major area of study. Students can apply for OPT before completing their studies ("pre-completion OPT") or after completing their studies ("post-completion OPT"). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

It is important to note that transferring to another school or beginning studies at another educational level will result in the automatic termination of OPT employment authorization. Additionally, students must maintain their student status and not work on a terminated OPT authorization, as working without authorization in the United States can have serious consequences.

Students can apply for OPT up to 90 days before the program end date

International students on F1 visas are allowed to apply for work authorization under Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is a type of work authorization that allows students to gain practical training in their field of study. Students can apply for OPT up to 90 days before their program end date and can receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization.

To apply for OPT, students must first obtain a recommendation from their Designated School Official (DSO) at their academic institution. The DSO will make the recommendation by endorsing the student's Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Once the DSO has recommended OPT, students must then file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), along with the required fee and supporting documentation. USCIS must approve the Form I-765 and issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before students can begin their OPT.

It is important to note that OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to the student's major area of study. Students must comply with all requirements for maintaining their student status, and working in the United States without authorization can have serious consequences, including removal from the country and reentry bars.

Additionally, students who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, students must have a degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List and be employed by an employer enrolled in and using E-Verify.

OPT allows participants to engage in hands-on experience, such as internships or training

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows international students to gain US work experience in their field of study. OPT is a critical component of US higher education for international students, particularly in STEM, and is a significant factor in students' decisions to study in the US and remain afterwards.

Students with F-1 status who have completed at least one academic year of full-time studies at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary can participate in OPT. OPT is available for each higher level of study. For example, a student can apply for 12 months of work authorization for a bachelor's degree and later another 12 months for a master's degree.

Students in any field can apply for post-completion OPT for up to 12 months, while those with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) can get an additional two-year STEM extension, for a total of 36 months of work authorization and training. In FY 2023, 276,452 students were authorized for post-completion OPT, while an additional 122,101 students were authorized for STEM OPT.

OPT provides international students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience and begin contributing to the US economy immediately. It also allows students to apply their education in a real-world setting, developing their skills while also gaining work experience and building their professional networks, which helps launch their careers.

OPT is critical for international students in STEM fields

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a period of temporary employment directly related to an international student's major area of study. Students with F-1 status can apply for OPT to gain practical training that complements their field of study.

OPT is critical for international students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields as it allows them to gain valuable experience and apply their education in a real-world setting. This helps them develop their skills, build professional networks, and launch their careers. The majority of OPT participants have degrees in technology, engineering, or business, and more than half hold master's degrees.

For international students in STEM fields, OPT offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between graduation and their future career paths. They can work for up to 12 months on a post-completion OPT basis and gain practical experience in their field of study. Additionally, those with STEM degrees can apply for a 24-month extension of their OPT, providing them with a total of 36 months of work authorization and training. This extended period is crucial for students in STEM fields as it allows them to further enhance their skills and knowledge, making them more competitive in the job market.

The process of applying for OPT can be technical and complicated, and students must ensure they remain compliant with all the rules and regulations of their F-1 visa status. However, the benefits of OPT for international students in STEM fields are significant, providing them with valuable work experience and the opportunity to build a strong foundation for their future careers.

Frequently asked questions