OPT, or Optional Practical Training, is a program available to students studying in the United States on an F-1 visa who wish to pursue temporary employment related to their field of study. OPT is available both during one’s studies and after graduation, but it is only granted for up to twelve (12) months in total (except for STEM OPT, which will be discussed later).
How to Apply for OPT or STEM OPT and Maintain Legal Status
Before a student’s program completion, he may be eligible for OPT if he has been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary that has been certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. The student doesn’t need to have had F-1 status for the one full academic year; the “one full academic year” requirement can be satisfied as long as the student had a valid non-immigrant status during that time. Students in pre-completion OPT may work part-time (20 hours or less) during school sessions and full-time when school is not in session.
After completion of his studies, a student granted OPT may work either full-time or part-time. Any pre-completion OPT in which he participated will be deducted from his total twelve-month maximum OPT period. For example, if a student completes four months of pre-completion OPT, he would be eligible for a maximum of eight months of post-completion OPT.
STEM OPT is available to individuals who have earned degrees in certain STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. Not all STEM degrees qualify, so it is vital to verify that one’s degree appears on USCIS’s STEM Designated Degree Program list. Such individuals may apply for OPT and, when their initial OPT period expires, they may apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, which will enable them to continue working in their field for an additional 24 months.
There are specific time periods in which an individual must apply for OPT and STEM OPT, depending on whether one is using before degree completion or after, and whether one is applying for OPT or STEM OPT. It is essential to discuss the timeline for applying for OPT with your Designated School Official (“DSO”) and/or attorney prior to your DSO entering the OPT recommendation into your SEVIS record, because you will have a period varying from 30 to 90 days to apply after that recommendation is made, depending on your particular circumstances.
If you would like to learn more about OPT or STEM OPT, call 717-731-8114 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.