Ibrahim Gardner
International students are an important part of the US economy, contributing $43.8 billion and supporting over 378,000 jobs in the 2023-24 academic year. Many international students want to stay and work in the US after graduation, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a popular way to do this. OPT is an employment benefit for F-1 students, allowing them to gain work experience in their field of study. Students can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, and those with STEM degrees can apply for a 24-month extension. The process involves several steps and forms, and students must maintain their F-1 status by complying with all requirements. OPT is an important pathway for international students seeking employment in the US, allowing them to build relationships with potential employers while determining their future immigration options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | OPT: Optional Practical Training |
| Type of Training | Temporary employment authorization |
| Eligibility | F-1 students who have been full-time students for at least one full academic year and plan to seek employment in the United States in their fields of study |
| Application Time | OPT is generally applied for in a student's last semester |
| Work Hours | Students can work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and full time when school is not in session |
| Work Type | Work must be directly related to the major field of study |
| Work Status | Students can work multiple concurrent jobs and change jobs while on OPT |
| Work Visa | OPT is a benefit of the F-1 visa status and not a separate work visa or category |
| Work Experience | Students can work as volunteers or unpaid interns, where this does not violate any labor laws. The work must be at least 20 hours per week |
| Employment Authorization Document (EAD) | Students cannot begin work until they have received their EAD card and reached the start date on the card |
| STEM Extension | Students with degrees in STEM fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their 12-month post-completion OPT |
| Unemployment Period | Students on post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment |
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Pre-completion OPT
International students on F-1 visas can participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain practical experience directly related to their major field of study. OPT is an important pathway to employment for international students, as it allows them to build relationships with potential employers and develop their skills while determining their future immigration options.
To apply for pre-completion OPT, students must first request a Form I-20 with a recommendation for pre-completion OPT from their Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO will make the recommendation by endorsing the Form I-20 and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students must then submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with the required fee and supporting documentation. USCIS advises that the application process can take 3 to 5 months, so students should apply well in advance of their desired start date.
It is important to note that the time spent on pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT. Additionally, if a student applies for pre-completion OPT during their final term, they must confirm their graduation timeline with their Academic Advisor, as having pre-completion OPT approved through their final term could make them ineligible for post-completion OPT if their program end date changes unexpectedly.
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Post-completion OPT
Students can choose to work part-time (at least 20 hours per week) or full-time during their post-completion OPT. For the first 12-month period of post-completion OPT, the employment does not have to be paid. Thus, students who are self-employed, interning, or volunteering in a position directly related to their academic field would be considered "employed" for OPT employment reporting purposes as long as they work in the unpaid position for an average of 20 hours per week. Students should keep documentation for all unpaid employment positions. For the 24-month STEM OPT Extension, employment must be paid.
To qualify for post-completion OPT, students must meet the following criteria:
- They must be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of their OPT application.
- They must have completed at least three academic quarters (or one full academic year) of full-time study before applying.
- They must be at the end of their academic programme. Undergraduate students must be graduating from the university. Graduate students may apply if only thesis or dissertation requirements remain.
- They must not have used 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at the same degree level.
- They must not have previously used post-completion OPT for the same degree level.
If students begin a new degree programme at a higher level (e.g. Bachelor to Masters or Masters to Ph.D.), they may be eligible for an additional 12-month period of OPT. Limited unemployment time is allowed during post-completion OPT and STEM OPT. Students can accrue no more than 90 days of unemployment, which is cumulative.
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STEM OPT extension
International students on an F-1 visa are often interested in working in the United States. One way to do this is through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows eligible F-1 students to gain real-world work experience related to their field of study. Students can apply for pre-completion OPT after being lawfully enrolled full-time for one 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 can work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session. After completing their studies, students can apply for post-completion OPT.
For students who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, they may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension of their post-completion OPT. To be eligible, students must have received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, be employed by an employer enrolled in E-Verify, and have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree. Students must also maintain their F-1 status and comply with all requirements, as working in the United States without authorization can result in serious consequences, including removal from the country.
The STEM OPT extension application process involves requesting a STEM OPT I-20 from the student's academic institution and receiving a recommendation on the Form I-20. Students must also complete the Form I-983 with their employer and submit a copy of their STEM degree. The application must be submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 60 days of the STEM OPT recommendation date and before the expiration date of the Post-Completion OPT. Students will automatically receive a 6-month extension upon receiving a receipt for their application, allowing them to continue working while their application is pending.
During the STEM OPT extension, students can work for multiple employers, as long as they work at least 20 hours per week for each employer and the employers comply with the requirements of the 24-month STEM rule. Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, remain in good standing, have a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN), and implement a formal training program. Students must report their employment to their Designated School Official (DSO) every six months and ensure they do not exceed the unemployment limit of 90 days during their OPT authorization.
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Employment rules
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to gain real-world work experience related to their field of study. F-1 students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before (pre-completion) and/or after (post-completion) completing their academic studies. All OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major area of study. Students can work as volunteers or unpaid interns, provided the work is for at least 20 hours per week and does not violate any labor laws.
During the OPT authorization period, students should be working or actively seeking employment. Students on post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment. If a student accumulates 90 days or more of unemployment, they are in violation of their F-1 status and are expected to leave the U.S., transfer to another school, or change their visa status. Students must report all employment and address changes within 10 days of any change.
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 to engage in OPT employment will automatically terminate. However, as long as the student maintains their student status, their F-1 status will not be affected by the termination of their EAD. Working in the United States without authorization can result in serious consequences, including removal from the country and re-entry bars.
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, students must meet specific requirements, including having received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree.
The process for applying for OPT involves a Designated School Official (DSO) recommending OPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The student must then apply for a work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and wait for approval. Once approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and the student must not begin working before the start date on the EAD.
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Eligibility
To qualify for Post-Completion OPT, you must meet the following criteria:
- Maintain a valid F-1 status at the time of your OPT application.
- Have completed at least three academic quarters (or one full academic year) of full-time study before applying.
- Be at the end of your academic program. Undergraduate students must be graduating, while graduate students may apply if only thesis or dissertation requirements remain.
- Not have used 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at the same degree level.
- Not have previously used Post-Completion OPT for the same degree level.
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. The OPT employment must be a minimum of 20 hours per week, and students cannot begin work until they have received their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) work card.
If you have earned a degree in certain STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), you may be eligible for a 24-month extension of your OPT employment authorization. To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, you must:
- Have received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List.
- Be employed by an employer enrolled in and using E-Verify.
- Have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on your STEM degree.
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Frequently asked questions
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training, which is a type of work authorization available to F-1 international students in the US. It allows students to gain practical work experience related to their field of study.
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year and intend to work in a professional development opportunity related to their major field of study. Students must also maintain their F-1 student status and comply with all F-1 regulations.
A Designated School Official (DSO) must recommend OPT, but it is the student's responsibility to apply for the work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The OPT application requires Form I-20, endorsed by the DSO, and students must not begin working before receiving their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and reaching the start date on the card.
Pre-completion OPT allows students to work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and full time when school is not in session. Post-completion OPT requires students to work at least 20 hours per week part-time or full time. Students on post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment.
