International Students: Opt-In For A Brighter Future

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a 12-month work authorization program that allows international students on F-1 visas in the US to gain professional experience in their field of study without requiring a separate work visa. Students can apply for OPT before or after completing their academic studies, but the total time authorized for both is 12 months. OPT is an important pathway for international graduates to gain work experience and build relationships with potential employers while determining their future immigration options. Graduates with STEM degrees may be eligible for a 24-month OPT extension.

OPT is a 12-month work authorization program for international students on F-1 visas

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a 12-month work authorization program for international students on F-1 visas. It allows students to gain professional experience in their field of study without having to apply for another visa. To qualify for OPT, students must work in a job that is directly related to their major area of study. The program is available to students who have been full-time students for at least one academic year and plan to seek employment in the United States in their field of study.

OPT is an important opportunity for international students to develop their skills and build relationships with potential employers while determining their future immigration options. It is also beneficial to the U.S. economy, as international students contributed $43.8 billion and supported more than 378,000 jobs in the 2023-2024 academic year.

There are two types of OPT: pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT. Students can apply for pre-completion OPT after completing one academic year of full-time study. Post-completion OPT is available to students after they graduate. The total OPT period cannot exceed 12 months, including both pre-completion and post-completion combined. Students must specify if they are applying for pre-completion or post-completion OPT and must be either full or part-time.

To apply for OPT, students must submit the OPT I-20 Request E-Form and pay the BIO Post-Completion Services Fee of $250. They do not need a job offer before applying, and their job can be anywhere in the United States. However, they must not begin working before receiving their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and the start date on the EAD has been reached. During the OPT period, students can change jobs, but they are only allowed a cumulative total of 90 days of unemployment.

Overall, OPT is a valuable program for international students on F-1 visas, providing them with the opportunity to gain work experience and build their careers in the United States.

OPT allows students to gain professional experience in their major area of study

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a 12-month work authorization program that allows international students on an F-1 visa to gain professional experience in their major area of study. This experience is temporary employment directly related to their field of study. Students can apply for OPT to gain real-world work experience, allowing them to develop their skills and build relationships with potential employers. This is especially beneficial for those who plan to work in the US long-term, as it provides a pathway to future employment and multiple chances to apply for an H-1B visa lottery.

OPT is available to eligible F-1 students who have been full-time students for at least one academic year. Students can apply for OPT before or after completing their academic studies. Pre-completion OPT allows students to work before graduation, while post-completion OPT allows them to work after graduation. The total OPT period, including both pre-completion and post-completion, cannot exceed 12 months. During this time, students are only allowed a cumulative total of 90 days of unemployment.

To apply for OPT, students must submit the OPT I-20 Request E-Form and be physically present in the US when submitting their application. They do not need a job offer before applying, and their job can be anywhere in the US. The employment start date must be within 60 days of completing their program, and they cannot begin work until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

For students with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM), there is the option of a 24-month STEM OPT extension. This extension is available to those employed by an employer enrolled in the government's E-Verify program. The STEM OPT extension provides more opportunities for students to gain professional experience and build their careers in the US.

Students can apply for pre-completion OPT after their first academic year

To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, students must not have used more than 1 year of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and must be physically present in the U.S. when submitting their application. They can work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session. It is important to note that any period of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

Students can apply for pre-completion OPT by submitting the OPT I-20 Request E-Form, which includes a fee for post-completion services. They must also file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," within 30 days of receiving their DSO OPT recommendation. Additionally, students may need to submit other supporting documentation as outlined in the form instructions. The authorization process typically takes around 3 months but can sometimes take longer.

It is worth noting that if a student's OPT period expires while their STEM OPT extension application is pending, their employment authorization will be automatically extended for 180 days. However, if a student transfers to another school or begins a new degree program at a higher level, their authorization for OPT employment will automatically terminate. Therefore, it is crucial for students to maintain their F-1 status and comply with all requirements to avoid any negative consequences, such as removal from the country or accrual of unlawful presence.

Post-completion OPT is available after graduation, allowing students to stay in the US for up to 60 days

International students on F-1 visas can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain professional experience in the United States after graduation. OPT is a 12-month work authorization program that allows students to work in jobs directly related to their major area of study. It is an important pathway for international students seeking employment in the US, as it provides them with the opportunity to develop their skills, build relationships with potential employers, and determine their future immigration options.

Post-completion OPT is available to students who have completed their academic studies and want to work in the US temporarily before returning to their home countries. To be eligible for post-completion OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year at a college or university certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The application for post-completion OPT can be submitted up to 90 days before the program end date and no later than 60 days after the program end date.

The requested employment start date for post-completion OPT must be within 60 days after the end of the program. This allows students to remain in the US for up to 60 days after graduation while they await the receipt of their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) work card. Students cannot begin working on OPT until they have received their EAD card and the validity period has started. It is important to note that working without authorization in the US can have serious consequences, including removal from the country and re-entry bars.

During the 12-month OPT period, students are only allowed a cumulative total of 90 days of unemployment. To maintain their student status, they must not work on a terminated EAD, as it indicates that they are no longer authorized to work in the US using that OPT EAD. Additionally, students must comply with all requirements for maintaining their F-1 status, including obtaining fresh travel signatures every six months and reporting any employment to the designated school official (DSO).

Post-completion OPT is a valuable opportunity for international students to gain practical experience in their field of study and build connections with potential employers. It provides a pathway to future employment and contributes significantly to the US economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.

STEM OPT is a two-year extension for graduates with eligible STEM degrees

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of temporary employment authorisation available to F-1 international students in the United States. It allows students to work for up to 12 months in their major area of study, either before or after completing their academic studies.

For students with degrees in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, there is an option to extend their OPT authorisation through the STEM OPT program. This program offers a 24-month extension of the standard OPT period for eligible students. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, students must meet several requirements:

• They must have an F-1 student visa and have received a degree in a STEM field that is included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List.
• They must be employed by an employer who is enrolled in and using the E-Verify program, a government initiative that confirms employee eligibility.
• They must have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorisation based on their STEM degree.
• They must have their Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, endorsed by their Designated School Official (DSO) within the last 60 days.
• They must submit their application for the STEM OPT extension in a timely manner, as late applications may result in a lapse in employment authorisation.

It is important to note that the STEM OPT extension is not simply a continuation of the initial OPT period. It is a distinct opportunity for students to gain practical training and experience in their field of study. The extension provides students with additional time to enhance their skills and knowledge in their chosen STEM discipline.

Frequently asked questions