Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training allows international students in the US on an F-1 visa to work in the field related to their field of study. This is a great opportunity for the students to get practical experience in their field while offsetting the cost of study.

OPT is a great way to get long-term employment in the United States. Most employers might go ahead and file a Cap-Gap extension, which is the first step in acquiring an H-1B visa to work as a non-immigrant.

OPT Eligibility Criteria

• Student must have a valid F-1
• Student should have already completed one academic year in a full-time SEVP-certified school
• The training is directly related to the student's field of study
• The student has not already completed 12 months of full-time CPT at the same program level
• The student should not be studying English as a second language

STEM OPT Extension Criteria

• Student should be on an F-1 visa and majored in a STEM-related bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree
• Student's school should be SEVIS-certified
• The employer should be enrolled in the E-verify program
• Student should have been initially eligible for Post-completion OPT

Duration of OPT

Students are allowed 12 months of full-time OPT for each level of education, provided they have not already taken up 12 months of full-time CPT at that level. If the student goes on to enroll in a higher level of study, they would be eligible for another 12 months of full-time OPT. Students that majored in a STEM-related program are eligible for requesting a one-time 24-month extension of post-completion OPT.

The total duration of Pre-completion OPT and Post-completion OPT is 12 months combined. Students can break it down between the two types of OPT but cannot go beyond the 12-month period unless they can get the STEM OPT, where they cannot go beyond 36 months without enrolling in a Cap-gap extension.

Once the OPT ends, candidates will have a 60-day grace period to continue with their F-1 status by enrolling in another F-1 program or leaving the country.

OPT to STEM OPT Time Gap

There might be a gap between the OPT end date and the STEM OPT approval in certain cases. As long as the student applies for the STEM OPT on time, their EAD will be extended for 180 days. This extension will end as soon as the student receives their STEM OPT approval.

Types of OPT

No matter what type of OPT the student is pursuing at the moment, they cannot start working before they receive the EAD. The DSO should be updated promptly about any changes in the OPT and the student's residential information.

• Pre-Completion OPT

  Eligible students can apply for Pre-completion OPT during their course. They can apply as early as 90 days before the first academic year is complete. However, the employment start date would be after the first academic year is complete. Pre-completion OPT can be full-time when school is not in session or part-time when school is in session.

• Post-Completion OPT

  Post-completion OPT enables students to work full-time or part-time after their graduation, provided they have not used up the entire 12-month duration of allowed OPT. They will have to apply and get the EAD, which will allow them to continue working. They can apply up to 90 days before the completion of their degree but not after 60 days of graduation. They cannot stay unemployed for more than 90 days during this period. The last possible day for this training would be 14 months after graduation.

• STEM OPT

  If the student is eligible for a STEM OPT extension, they can work for an additional 24 months upon approval from USCIS. This allows them to work in a STEM-related field for more time to get a feel for the job market. Students can apply for a STEM OPT extension up to 90 days before their current OPT expires. They cannot stay unemployed for over 150 days while on STEM OPT.

OPT Authorization Process

OPT must be authorized by USCIS. Students must apply on a timely basis and receive their EAD before they can start work.

Request OPT in SEVIS

The first step in getting OPT authorization is requesting the DSO to enter the request in SEVIS and issue Form I-20. The DSO and the student must sign the Form I-20. The student should also fill out Form I-983 if they are applying for a STEM OPT extension.

Complete Form I-765

The student has to fill out Form I-765 with USCIS within 30 days of DSO recommendation (or 60 days in case of STEM OPT extension). Supporting documents and $470 fees have to be submitted along with it. After submission, students will receive a receipt notice (Form I-797) from USCIS, which can be used to track the status of the application online.

Monitor the progress

The processing time for OPT applications can vary, typically ranging from 2 to 4 months. Students should plan accordingly, as they cannot begin working until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD). In some cases, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence if they need additional information to process the application. Students should respond promptly and thoroughly to any RFEs to avoid delays.

Search for the job

Once approved, students will receive their EAD card, which proves their eligibility to work in the U.S. during the OPT period. It is crucial to check that all information on the card is correct. The EAD card will indicate the start and end dates of the authorized employment period. Students can only begin working after the start date on the EAD.

Keep DSO in the loop

The school's DSO should always be kept aware of the employer and the job details, along with the student's personal information, including their address, contact information, and name changes. Any changes to the said information should be communicated to the DSO within 10 days. The DSO will update SEVIS with these changes within 21 days.

Visiting Other Countries while on OPT

Students can visit outside the US while they are still enrolled in their academic program. After graduation, they can freely travel in and out of the US if they have an approved OPT. It is recommended that they not travel internationally if their OPT status is pending. If the OPT is denied while the student is outside the country, they will be denied entry to the US, and their F-1 visa will terminate.

F-1 Cap Gap Extension

Most employers go ahead and file H-1B visas for their non-immigrant workers. Newly approved H-1B visas have a start date of October 1. If the student's training program ends between April 1 and September 30, the employers can file for an F-1 Cap Gap Extension by filling out Form I-129 with USCIS. If the petition is filed before the OPT or STEM OPT extension ends, then they can get an EAD extension for their OPT. F-1 Cap Gap Extension is handy because it allows students to stay in the US legally while waiting for their H-1B visa.