Introduction

The optional practical training process starts while you are still a student. First, your school’s Designated School Official (DSO) updates your record and gives you a new Form I-20. Then you file Form I-765 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You should know the OPT requirements: you must be in F-1 status, have been enrolled full time for one academic year, and the job must match your major. Most students get 12 months of OPT, and some STEM graduates can apply for a longer STEM OPT extension.

You start the optional practical training process while you are still in school. First, the Designated School Official (DSO) at your school updates your record and gives you a new Form I-20. After that, you send Form I-765 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You need to be in F-1 status, have been a full-time student for a year, and the job must be related to your major. Most students get 12 months of OPT, but some STEM graduates can apply for a longer STEM OPT extension.

It's important to apply on time. You can apply for pre-completion OPT before you graduate or for post-completion OPT after you graduate. You can't start working until your work permit (EAD) is approved. To keep your status valid while on OPT, you need to tell your DSO where you work and where you live.

What Is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

International students in the US who are studying with an F-1 visa can take part in Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is a special work program. It gives students real-world work experience in their field of study, which helps them use what they've learned in jobs. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) runs OPT, which is a great way for students to start their careers in the U.S. after or even while they are still in school.

There are two main types of Optional Practical Training:

1. Pre-Completion OPT – You can use this while you are still in school. During school, you can work part-time (up to 20 hours a week) and full-time during breaks.
2. Post-Completion OPT – This starts after you get your degree. Most students choose this option so they can get full-time work experience in their field of study.

The usual length of OPT in USA is 12 months. However, students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, which gives them a total of 36 months of work authorization.

Students must meet certain optional practical training requirements, such as keeping their F-1 status valid and finishing at least one full academic year at a U.S. school, in order to be eligible for optional practical training.

Eligibility Criteria for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

F-1 students who want to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States must meet certain requirements set by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These rules make sure that only students who meet certain requirements can take part in the program and get legal work experience in their field of study. Here are the most important OPT requirements that every student should know:

1. Valid F-1 Visa Status

• You must be in valid F-1 student status at the time of application.
• Only international students who have kept their legal F-1 status while studying can get OPT.

2. Full-Time Enrollment for at Least One Academic Year

• Before you can apply for OPT in US, you must have finished at least one full academic year (usually two semesters) of full-time study at a US college or university.

3. Program Type and Level

• Students who are working toward a bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree can apply for OPT.
• At each higher degree level, there is a new chance to do optional practical training (for example, one OPT after a bachelor's degree and another after a master's degree).

4. Employment Must Be Related to the Field of Study

• You must work in a field that is directly related to your academic program during your OPT. For instance, a student majoring in computer science should get a job in a field related to technology.

5. No Previous Full-Time OPT at the Same Degree Level

• If you have already finished one full period of OPT, you can't apply for it again at the same degree level.

6. Application Timing

• You can apply up to 90 days before program completion and within 60 days after graduation for post-completion OPT.

Application Process for Optional Practical Training (Step-by-Step)

At first, applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) may seem hard, but if you follow each step carefully, it gets easier and easier. This is a detailed step-by-step guide that tells international students on an F-1 visa how to successfully apply for OPT in US.

Step 1: Contact Your Designated School Official (DSO)

• Before applying, inform your DSO about your plan to apply for optional practical training.
• Your DSO will check to see if you meet the requirements and help you pick the start and end dates for your OPT.
• After your DSO approves your OPT, they will recommend it in the SEVIS system and send you a new Form I-20 with the recommendation.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

You will need the following documents for your OPT application:

• Updated Form I-20 with DSO's suggestion for OPT
• Filled out Form I-765, which is the Application for Employment Authorization
• A copy of your I-94, F-1 visa, and passport
• Two new pictures the size of a passport
• Proof of enrollment and transcripts
• Payment of the filing fee (check or receipt for online payment)

Step 3: File Form I-765 with USCIS

• Submit Form I-765 online or by mail to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• You can apply up to 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after program completion.
• To avoid being turned down, make sure to include all the necessary papers.

Step 4: Receive the Receipt Notice (Form I-797C)

• After you send in your application, you will get a receipt notice that says USCIS got it.
• You can check the status of your application online using the receipt number.

Step 5: Wait for Approval and Receive Your EAD Card

• USCIS will send you an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) once your application is approved.
• You can only start working after receiving your EAD and on or after the approved start date.

Step 6: Report Your Employment to DSO

• To keep your F-1 status, you must tell your DSO about your job and the name of your employer after you get a job.
• You also need to keep your address and employer information up to date in the SEVP portal.

STEM OPT Extension

International students who have earned degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields in the United States can also get the STEM OPT extension. It lets eligible F-1 students extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) period by 24 months, which means they can work for up to 36 months in total. This extension allows students to get more hands-on experience in their field of study while still keeping their F-1 status.

1. Who Is Eligible for the STEM OPT Extension?

To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, students must fulfill the following OPT requirements:

• Hold a valid F-1 visa status.
• Be currently on post-completion OPT.
• Have earned a degree in an approved STEM field from a U.S. institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
• Work for an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program (a federal system that confirms the eligibility of employees).
• Submit a completed Form I-983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT Students), signed by both the student and employer.

2. How to Apply for the STEM OPT Extension

• If you want a STEM OPT recommendation on your Form I-20, get in touch with your Designated School Official (DSO).
• Send USCIS Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) along with your updated I-20, E-Verify employer information, and Form I-983.
• To avoid gaps in employment, apply up to 90 days before your current OPT ends.

3. Important Rules and Responsibilities

• You must work at least 20 hours per week in a paid position related to your STEM degree.
• You must report any job changes or address updates to your DSO within 10 days.
• You and your employer must complete two evaluations during the 24-month period to track your progress.

Rules, Restrictions, and Common Challenges of Optional Practical Training

International students can get a lot of work experience in the US through Optional Practical Training (OPT), but they need to be very careful to follow the rules and restrictions that come with it. Students can keep their F-1 visa status and avoid problems during or after their OPT in USA if they know these rules.

1. Work Must Be Related to Your Field of Study

• You must work in a field that is directly related to your degree program while you are doing optional practical training.
• A student with a degree in Business Administration can work in marketing or management, but not in a field that doesn't have anything to do with business, like engineering or healthcare.

2. Duration of OPT

• Most students' standard OPT lasts for 12 months.
• Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. This gives them a total of 36 months of work authorization.

3. Employment Type

• Students can work full-time, part-time, or as interns (paid or unpaid) as long as the work is related to their major.
• You can work for yourself or on a contract basis, but you need to have the right paperwork.

4. Unemployment Limit

• During the 12-month OPT period, F-1 students on OPT cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days.
• The maximum amount of time a student can be unemployed on a STEM OPT extension is 150 days.

5. Reporting Requirements

• Students must tell their Designated School Official (DSO) or the SEVP portal about any changes to their job, address, or employer.
• If you don't report changes, your SEVIS record could be canceled.

6. Common Challenges Faced by Students

• Delays in OPT approval from USCIS, which can affect job start dates. .
• Finding employment that meets all OPT requirements and is related to the field of study.
• Maintaining status when switching employers or moving locations.
• Lack of awareness about deadlines for applying or reporting changes.

Career Benefits and Post-Optional Practical Training Opportunities

Optional Practical Training (OPT) gives international students more than just work experience. It gives them a strong base for building a successful career in the US and other countries. The OPT in USA program helps students use what they've learned in school in the real world, get better at their jobs, and find long-term career paths.

1. Gain Valuable Work Experience

• Optional practical training allows students to work in professional environments related to their field of study.
• This practical experience gives students an edge when they apply for jobs after they graduate.
• Employers often prefer candidates who already know how things work and are done in the U.S. workplace.

2. Build a Professional Network

• Students can meet professionals, mentors, and recruiters during OPT.
• Networking can get you permanent job offers, recommendations, or chances to move up in your career.

3. Improve Chances for H-1B Sponsorship

• A lot of students use OPT as a way to get an H-1B work visa.
• Employers who see good work during OPT are often willing to sponsor H-1B applications, which lets students keep working in the U.S.

4. Explore Career Paths and Specializations

• OPT gives students a chance to explore different roles within their field before committing to a long-term position.
• This helps them figure out what they're good at and what path to take in their careers.

5. Global Recognition and Career Advancement

• People all over the world respect U.S. work experience gained through optional practical training.
• It makes students more likely to get jobs, even if they later decide to work in their home country or another country.

6. Post-OPT Options

After completing OPT, students can:

• Apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension (if eligible).
• Transition to an H-1B visa for long-term employment.
• Pursue higher studies (Master’s or PhD) in the U.S.
• Come back home with useful experience from around the world.