Lana Oconnell
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a program that allows international students in the United States to gain practical work experience in their field of study. OPT is available to F-1 students who are enrolled in or have completed a degree program. Students can apply for OPT before or after completing their studies, and the authorization period is typically 12 months, with a 24-month extension available for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. OPT provides international students with the opportunity to develop their skills, build relationships with potential employers, and contribute to the US economy immediately after graduation. However, strict rules and regulations govern the OPT program, and students must comply with all requirements to maintain their F-1 status and work authorization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Optional Practical Training |
| Who is eligible? | International students in F-1 immigration status enrolled in or completing a degree program in the United States |
| Pre-completion OPT eligibility | Should be enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year |
| Post-completion OPT eligibility | Completion of studies |
| Work hours during Pre-completion OPT | 20 hours or less per week while school is in session. Full-time work is allowed when school is not in session |
| Work during OPT | Allowed anywhere in the United States |
| OPT application | Students can file for OPT up to 90 days before the program end date on the Form I-20 and no later than 60 days after the program end date on the Form I-20 |
| OPT period | 12 months |
| Unemployment during OPT | Students are only allowed a cumulative total of 90 days of unemployment |
| STEM OPT | Students can accrue no more than 150 days of unemployment, which is cumulative, and includes the post-completion OPT unemployment time |
| STEM OPT extension eligibility | Students with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields |
| STEM OPT extension period | 24 months |
| OPT as a pathway | OPT allows students from around the globe to gain valuable experience and begin contributing to the US immediately |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements for OPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit available to international students with F-1 immigration status enrolled in or completing a degree program in the United States. OPT allows international students to gain valuable experience and make meaningful contributions to the United States. To be eligible for OPT, students must meet the following requirements:
- Full-time F-1 status: Students must be enrolled full-time and maintain their F-1 student status for at least one full academic year. This requirement can be met even if the student had another nonimmigrant status during that time.
- Degree program: Students must be enrolled in or have completed a degree program. For pre-completion OPT, the degree program must be ongoing, while post-completion OPT requires the completion of all program requirements, such as final exams or thesis submission.
- Employment in the major field of study: The employment sought during OPT must be directly related to the student's major field of study listed on their Form I-20. It should be appropriate to the level of education attained.
- Physical presence in the United States: Students must be physically present in the United States at the time of their application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Limited use of CPT: Students must not have exceeded one year of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during their current degree level. Part-time CPT does not count towards this limit.
- Valid program end date: 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 on Form I-20.
- STEM degree: For the 24-month STEM OPT extension, students must have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The STEM degree must be included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List.
- Employment authorization: Students cannot begin working on OPT until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and the validity period commences. The requested employment start date must be within 60 days after the program end date.
- Unemployment limits: Students on OPT are restricted by unemployment limits. For the initial 12-month period of post-completion OPT, students can accrue up to 90 days of unemployment. For STEM OPT, the limit is 150 days of unemployment, including post-completion OPT unemployment time.
- Compliance with regulations: Any OPT requests entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) must comply with federal regulations. Students must also comply with reporting requirements during OPT, such as early termination of OPT or transitioning to a full-time degree-seeking program.
It is important to note that eligibility requirements may vary slightly depending on the specific institution and the student's individual circumstances. Students should refer to their designated school official (DSO) and the relevant government websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding OPT eligibility requirements.
Presidential Scholarships: International Students' Eligibility
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pre-completion OPT
To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, students must be enrolled full-time for at least 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 enrol F-1 students. Students can file for OPT up to 90 days before the program end date on Form I-20 and no later than 60 days after the program end date on Form I-20.
Students can work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and can work full-time when school is not in session. The employment authorization will begin on the date requested or the date the employment authorization is approved, whichever is later. Students do not need a job offer before applying for OPT, and they can change jobs during the OPT period.
International Students: Small Claims, Big Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Post-completion OPT
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. OPT allows international students to gain valuable experience and begin contributing to the US immediately by working in their field of study.
To apply for post-completion OPT, students must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 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. Students must also submit a copy of Form I-20 with OPT recommendation, which must be signed by a Designated School Official (DSO) at their academic institution. The DSO will make the recommendation by endorsing the student's eligibility for nonimmigrant student status.
Once the OPT is approved by USCIS, students will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and can begin working. Students are expected to be employed during post-completion OPT and can be unemployed for a total of 90 days. If a student accrues more than 90 days of unemployment, their SEVIS record may be automatically terminated.
If a student has earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, they may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, students must meet certain requirements, including being employed by an employer enrolled in the government's E-Verify program.
Working Hours for International Students in France
You may want to see also
Explore related products
STEM OPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit available to international students in F-1 immigration status who are enrolled in, or have completed, a degree program in the United States. This allows students to gain valuable experience and begin contributing to the US economy immediately.
F-1 students who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. To be eligible, students must:
- Be employed by an employer who is enrolled in and using E-Verify
- Have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree
- Have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a school that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency
- Have a degree that is included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List
- Have a practical training opportunity that is directly related to the previously obtained STEM degree
Students can accrue no more than 150 days of unemployment during the OPT period, which is cumulative and includes the post-completion OPT unemployment time. Volunteering and unpaid internships can be considered employment for the purposes of the initial 12-month period of F-1 post-completion OPT.
To apply for the STEM OPT extension, students must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, up to 90 days before their current OPT employment authorization expires. If the OPT period expires while the extension application is pending, the employment authorization will be automatically extended for 180 days.
International Students Thriving at UTS: A Snapshot
You may want to see also
Explore related products
OPT application process
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. OPT allows international students to gain valuable experience and begin contributing to the US economy immediately.
The OPT application process involves many players and several steps:
- First, you must be lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary that has been certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students.
- You do not need to have had F-1 status for the one full academic year; you can satisfy the “one full academic year” requirement even if you had another nonimmigrant status during that time.
- Request that your designated school official (DSO) at your academic institution recommend the OPT. Your DSO will make the recommendation by endorsing your Form I‑20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- You must then file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS, accompanied by the required fee and the supporting documentation as described in the form instructions.
- You must file within 30 days after your DSO OPT recommendation. If you submit the Form I-765 before or after the 30-day post-DSO recommendation period, USCIS will deny the application, and you will lose the application fee.
- You may not begin your pre- or post-completion OPT until after USCIS approves your Form I-765 and you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
- You will receive an I-797 Notice of Approval letter and EAD card at your mailing address. Check your EAD card to make sure all information is correct and upload it to BIO's SSU Hub.
- You can start working on your EAD start date!
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.
Transferring Internationally: Endorsement Signature Essential?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training.
OPT is a benefit available to international students in F-1 immigration status who are enrolled in, or have completed, a degree program in the United States. OPT allows international students to gain valuable experience and begin contributing to the U.S. immediately.
You must apply for a work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). You do not need a job offer before applying for OPT, but you will need a Social Security Number (SSN) for any paid employment in the United States.
There are two types of OPT: pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT. Pre-completion OPT allows students to work 20 hours or less per week during school terms and full-time when school is not in session. Post-completion OPT allows students to work full-time for 12 months after completing their studies.
