Lori Meadows
International students in the US on F-1 visas are permitted to participate in practical training, which refers to temporary employment opportunities directly related to their field of study. This allows international students to take paid positions while they are still pursuing their degrees or right after graduation. To be eligible for practical training, students typically need to have completed at least one academic year and must continue to maintain their F-1 status. Students can typically work under Optional Practical Training (OPT) for a maximum of 12 months, however, students with STEM degrees may be eligible for a 24-month extension.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of employment | Temporary employment |
| Student type | F-1 international students in undergraduate or graduate programs |
| Eligibility | Enrolled in an academic program for at least one year |
| Duration | 12 months; 24 months for STEM students |
| Work type | Paid or unpaid positions; internships |
| Work hours | Full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time |
| Unemployment days | 90 days during Post-Completion OPT |
| Application process | Submit Form I-765, Form I-20, and Form I-983 |
| Cost | $520 if filed by paper and $470 if filed online |
| Processing time | 1-5 months, most processed within 90 days |
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What You'll Learn
- Eligibility: F-1 students must be enrolled for at least one academic year
- Duration: Maximum 12 months, 24-month extension for STEM students
- Pre-Completion OPT: Work during studies, over 20 hours a week in breaks
- Post-Completion OPT: Work after graduation, 90 days of unemployment allowed
- Practical Training: Gain experience in chosen field, fill talent gaps
Eligibility: F-1 students must be enrolled for at least one academic year
To be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), an F-1 student must complete one academic year at a college, university, or other U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified institution. This means that the student has studied full-time for at least nine months at a school that is authorised to enroll international students.
The academic year requirement is an important eligibility criterion for F-1 students seeking to gain work experience in the United States through OPT. It ensures that international students have completed a substantial period of study and are actively engaged in their education before being permitted to work in the country.
During the academic year, F-1 students must maintain their status by enrolling in a full course of study. This typically means enrolling in a minimum number of credit hours or courses specified by their school. For example, a typical full-time course load for an undergraduate program is 12 credit hours per semester.
F-1 students must also maintain their status by making satisfactory academic progress towards completing their degree. This usually involves maintaining a certain grade point average (GPA) or meeting other academic standards set by their institution. Failing to maintain status can result in losing the opportunity to participate in OPT and potentially impact other immigration benefits.
By enrolling for at least one academic year, F-1 students demonstrate their commitment to their studies and their intention to pursue a degree at a SEVP-certified institution. This is a crucial step towards building a strong foundation for their academic and professional careers in the United States.
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Duration: Maximum 12 months, 24-month extension for STEM students
International students with F-1 status can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain temporary employment directly related to their major area of study. OPT is available for up to 12 months, with two options: pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT. Pre-completion OPT can be applied for after a full academic year of full-time study, while post-completion OPT is for students who have graduated or are close to graduating. All OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major area of study and can be part-time or full-time, with a minimum of 20 hours per week.
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. To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, students must meet specific criteria. Firstly, they must be F-1 students who received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Secondly, they must be employed by an employer enrolled in and using E-Verify. Lastly, they must have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree.
The process for applying for the STEM OPT extension involves the student submitting a completed I-983 training plan as part of their request to the international student services office. The international student services office processes the STEM OPT recommendation, and the student then files their OPT application, supporting documentation, and the required fee to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The fee for the STEM OPT extension is $520 if filed by paper and $470 if filed online, paid by the student. Once approved, USCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card as proof of work authorization for the 24-month period.
It is important to note that the rules and regulations regarding OPT can be complex, and the field of immigration policy is dynamic, so students should always refer to the most up-to-date information from official sources and consult with their designated school officials and international student advisors for guidance.
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Pre-Completion OPT: Work during studies, over 20 hours a week in breaks
F-1 students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain temporary employment directly related to their major area of study. Students can apply for OPT before (pre-completion) or after (post-completion) they finish their academic studies.
Pre-completion OPT allows students to work part-time (20 hours or less per week) during their studies and full-time during breaks. Students can only participate in pre-completion OPT after they have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at a college or university certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students.
Students on pre-completion OPT cannot exceed the allowed cumulative hours per week. They may work for multiple employers, but all employment must be related to their major field of study. For example, musicians and other performing artists may work for multiple short-term employers (gigs) and must maintain a list of all gigs, dates, and durations. Students may also work as volunteers or unpaid interns, as long as this does not violate any labor laws and the work is directly related to their major.
Students can apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization if they have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
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Post-Completion OPT: Work after graduation, 90 days of unemployment allowed
F-1 students often want to work, but employment opportunities are limited, and strict rules apply. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. OPT allows students to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study.
Post-completion OPT is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 students who have graduated to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study. Students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization after completing their academic studies. However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.
Federal law limits how long F-1 students on post-completion OPT can be unemployed: the limit is 90 days. Students must begin engaging in at least 20 hours/week of activities related to their degree to avoid exceeding this limit. If a student exceeds the 90-day unemployment limit, they will no longer maintain their F-1 status and may jeopardize their access to future U.S. immigration benefits, including readmission to the United States.
If you have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, you may apply for a 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT employment authorization. To be eligible, you must be an F-1 student who received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, be employed by an employer enrolled in and using E-Verify, and have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on your STEM degree.
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Practical Training: Gain experience in chosen field, fill talent gaps
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a form of temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. This means that eligible students can gain practical work experience in their field of study, filling talent gaps with their academic knowledge and skills.
To be eligible for OPT, students must be enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary that has been certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. Students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion).
There are two types of OPT: pre-completion and post-completion. Pre-completion OPT allows students to gain practical training before they finish their studies, while post-completion OPT allows students to gain work experience after they have graduated. Students can choose to do either or both types of OPT, but the total amount of OPT time is limited to 12 months.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is another form of work authorization that allows F-1 students to gain practical training in their academic field. CPT can be full-time or part-time, and it can be done during the academic year or during official vacation periods. Unlike OPT, CPT does not count towards the 12-month limit of OPT, as long as it is part-time.
For students who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, there is an opportunity to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, students must meet several requirements, including having a degree from an accredited SEVP-certified institution and having an employer who is enrolled in the E-Verify program.
The process of applying for OPT involves multiple steps and forms. Students must first request a recommendation for OPT from their Designated School Official (DSO), who will endorse their Form I-20. Then, students must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the required fee and supporting documentation. Once this is approved, students will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that allows them to work in the United States in their field of study.
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Frequently asked questions
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training, a type of work authorization that allows international students in the US on F-1 student visas to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study. To be eligible, F-1 students must have been enrolled in an academic program for at least one year.
You can apply for OPT before or after completing your studies. You must submit your OPT application, supporting documentation, and a fee to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). If your OPT is approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card as proof of work authorization.
OPT participants often have specialised skills and education in specific fields that are in high demand, such as STEM. International students may also have first-hand knowledge of international markets and trends, which can be valuable for companies looking to expand globally. Additionally, hiring international students on OPT can serve as a talent pipeline, potentially leading to longer-term work visa sponsorships or employment-based green cards.
