OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a temporary employment authorization granted to F-1 international students in the U.S. to gain practical experience in their field of study. It is overseen by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and allows eligible students to work for up to 12 months per academic level (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree).
Types of OPT:
- Pre-Completion OPT:
- Available to F-1 students before completing their academic program.
- Work is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic term but can be full-time during breaks.
- Post-Completion OPT:
- Available after completing the academic program.
- Work can be full-time (up to 40 hours per week).
- STEM OPT Extension:
- Available for students with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields.
- Extends Post-Completion OPT by an additional 24 months, allowing for a total of 36 months of work authorization.
Key Points:
- Must apply for OPT through USCIS and receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before beginning work.
- OPT allows students to work anywhere in the U.S., but the job must be directly related to their field of study.
- H-1B visa applicants may qualify for Cap-Gap Extension, which extends their OPT work authorization until their H-1B visa starts.
