Ibrahim Gardner
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa have the opportunity to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain valuable work experience. OPT allows international students to apply their education in a real-world setting, developing their skills and building professional networks. Students can apply for OPT before or after completing their academic studies, with a maximum of 12 months of employment authorization. Those with degrees in certain STEM fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension. However, there are specific requirements and restrictions that students must adhere to, such as maintaining valid F-1 student status and complying with employment regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full form | Optional Practical Training (OPT) |
| Who is it for? | International students in F-1 immigration status enrolled in or completing a degree program in the United States |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Extension | Students with a degree in STEM fields can apply for a 24-month extension |
| Employment | OPT employment will automatically terminate if the student transfers to another school or begins studies at another educational level |
| Application window | Up to 90 days before the program end date and no later than 60 days after the program end date |
| Application fee | $520 if filed by paper and $470 if filed online |
| Application form | Form I-765 |
| Other forms | Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status |
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What You'll Learn
OPT opportunities for STEM students
International students in F-1 immigration status who are enrolled in or completing a degree program in the United States are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before or after completing their academic studies, but all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.
For students who have earned a degree in certain STEM fields, there is the option to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, students must:
- Have an F-1 student status and have received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List.
- Be employed by an employer enrolled in and using the E-Verify employment eligibility verification program.
- Have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree.
Students can accrue no more than 150 days of unemployment during the 24-month STEM OPT extension period. This includes 90 days of unemployment allowed during the initial period of post-completion OPT. Students must work with their potential STEM OPT extension employer to complete Form I-983, which includes how the training opportunity is directly related to their qualifying STEM degree. The employer must also attest that they will have a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student and provide appropriate training by signing the form.
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 F-1 status by complying with all requirements, including not working on a terminated EAD, as this could have serious consequences.
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OPT opportunities for non-STEM students
International students in F-1 immigration status who are enrolled in or completing a degree program in the United States are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Students can apply for OPT before or after completing their studies.
Eligible students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization, which can be used before or after completion of their academic studies. All OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major area of study. Students can work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session.
If a student transfers to another school or begins studies at another educational level (e.g., from a bachelor's to a master's program), their authorization for OPT employment will automatically terminate. However, their F-1 status will not be affected as long as they maintain their student status and do not work on a terminated EAD.
While OPT is available to all F-1 students, there are specific opportunities and extensions for those in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. STEM students may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT if they meet certain requirements, such as being employed by an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program.
For non-STEM students, the standard OPT rules and opportunities apply. Non-STEM students can take advantage of the 12 months of OPT employment authorization, which can be used before or after completing their degree. This provides non-STEM students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study and enhance their resume.
It is important to note that non-STEM students may still be able to utilize any prior STEM degrees to qualify for the STEM OPT extension, provided they meet certain requirements, including having received their most recent degree from an accredited SEVP-certified institution. This allows non-STEM students with a STEM background to take advantage of the extended OPT period and gain valuable work experience in the United States.
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OPT opportunities for F-1 students
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit available to international students with an F-1 visa status who are enrolled in or have completed a degree program in the United States. OPT allows students to gain temporary employment directly related to their major area of study.
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and be seeking employment in their major field of study. Students can apply for OPT before or after completing their academic studies, but the pre-completion OPT duration will be deducted from the available post-completion OPT duration. The total OPT duration is typically 12 months, but students with a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may apply for a 24-month extension if they meet additional requirements, such as being employed by an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program.
The OPT application process can be complex and involves both the student's educational institution and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students must first apply to their institution for an OPT recommendation on their Form I-20 and then submit an OPT application packet, including a signed copy of their OPT I-20, to USCIS. The OPT application must be submitted within a specific timeframe, typically up to 90 days before and up to 60 days after the expected program completion date.
During the OPT period, students can change jobs, and volunteering and unpaid internships may be considered valid OPT employment if they comply with applicable federal and state labor laws. It is important to note that working without authorization in the United States can have serious consequences, including removal from the country. Therefore, students should carefully review the requirements and procedures for maintaining their student status and employment authorization under OPT.
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OPT opportunities for M-1 students
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit available to international students in F-1 immigration status who are enrolled in or completing a degree program in the United States. This means that OPT opportunities are only available to M-1 students after they have completed their studies. For both F-1 and M-1 students, any off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) before starting work.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, and off-campus employment due to special student relief. F-1 students can also 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.
To apply for OPT, F-1 students must file Form I-765 within 30 days of receiving a DSO OPT recommendation. Students can file for OPT up to 90 days before the program end date and no later than 60 days after the program end date. The OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major area of study and can be used before or after completion of studies.
In conclusion, while OPT opportunities are primarily available to F-1 students, M-1 students can also engage in practical training after they have completed their studies. Both F-1 and M-1 students must ensure that their off-campus training employment is related to their area of study and authorized by the DSO.
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OPT opportunities for students who transfer schools
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit available to international students in F-1 immigration status enrolled in or completing a degree program in the United States. OPT provides temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study.
If you transfer to another school or begin studies at another educational level, your OPT employment authorization will automatically terminate. However, your F-1 status will not be affected as long as you comply with all requirements for maintaining your student status. This includes not working on a terminated EAD, as you are no longer authorized to work in the United States using that OPT EAD.
Students in F-1 status who wish to transfer to another school must transfer their I-20 to the new school. It is important to note that transferring your I-20 during OPT will automatically end your OPT authorization, and any unused OPT time will be forfeited.
To maintain your OPT authorization when transferring schools, you must ensure that your OPT information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) reflects your new school. Any discrepancies between SEVIS and applications filed with or decisions made by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be corrected by Designated School Officials (DSOs).
Additionally, when transferring schools, students must comply with OPT application requirements, such as filing Form I-765 within 30 days of the DSO OPT recommendation. Failure to do so may result in application denial and the need to reapply for OPT, causing delays in the OPT start date.
In conclusion, while transferring schools may result in the termination of OPT employment authorization, careful adherence to procedures, such as transferring the I-20, updating SEVIS information, and timely filing of applications, can help mitigate potential issues with OPT opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training, a program that allows international students to gain temporary employment authorization in the US.
An international student can have one OPT opportunity. OPT can be taken before or after graduation, but not both.
OPT allows international students to work for up to 12 months after completing their academic studies. Students with STEM degrees can apply for a 24-month extension, making a total of 36 months.
To apply for OPT, you must submit Form I-765 and Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility. Your Designated School Official (DSO) must endorse your Form I-20 and make the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
