Am I still considered an F-1 student while on OPT?

OPT is part of F-1 status. Though you may no longer be a student, you are still in F-1 status. A 24-month extension of OPT is only possible for students who are completing a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in DHS-designated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.

Are you still a student under OPT?

While you are on OPT, it is important to remember that you are still in F-1 immigration status. Since you are no longer a student, you do not need to enroll full-time.

Does F-1 expire during OPT?

Yes, OPT is part of the F1 program, and you can renew or apply for a new F1 visa, as long as you have not violated the conditions of your OPT (e.g. max 90 days unemployment) and you have your I-20, EAD, and pay stubs showing current employment or job offer for future employment.

Is OPT part of F1 visa?

OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a benefit available to international students in F-1 immigration status who are enrolled in, or completing, a degree program in the United States. This employment can be used: Before completion of studies during an annual vacation or leave term.

How long can you stay on F-1 OPT visa?

Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

Major OPT Filing Mistake for F-1 Students

How do you maintain F-1 status on OPT?

F-1 students on OPT must find and report a job as part of maintaining status. F-1 students may not exceed 90 days of unemployment during their 12 months of Post-Completion OPT, and must report their employer's details in a timely manner.

Can F-1 students work more than 40 hours on OPT?

For pre-completion full-time OPT, you can work for more than 20 hours a week but not more than 40 hours a week. You need not have a job offer in hand while applying for an EAD card for a pre-completion job.

What is the difference between F-1 and F-1 OPT visa?

OPT is granted for a maximum of 12 months for most students, with an additional 24-month extension available for students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. On the other hand, F1-CPT does not have a predefined time limit.

Is OPT an extension of F1 visa?

The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field.

Is it risky to travel on F-1 OPT?

International Travel is NOT recommended before the OPT is approved and before you have received your EAD card. If your OPT application is rejected or denied while you are outside of the U.S., you will not able to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status.

What is the 14 month rule for OPT?

The end date for OPT will be 12 months after the OPT start date. The latest end date for a student on Post-Completion OPT is always 14 months after the student completed their studies.

What happens after 1 year of OPT?

There are two types of extensions available after completion of the initial OPT period: (1) a 24-Month extension for those in certain STEM fields (2) an “H-1B Cap-Gap Extension” which extends work authorization through to the start of your cap-subject H-1B visa.

Is OPT valid for 3 years?

In a nutshell, STEM OPT is a 3-year extension of standard OPT for students or recent graduates who are studying or have completed their education in a science, technology, engineering or math degree program.

How do I renew my F-1 visa while on OPT?

What happens to OPT if you don't graduate?

What happens if I apply for OPT but don't complete my degree as planned by the I-20 end date? If your OPT application is not yet processed by USCIS, you may withdraw it. If your OPT application has been approved by USCIS, you may work part- time only on approved EAD while finishing academic work.

Do OPT students need sponsorship?

In terms of process and cost, students own the responsibility of completing the paperwork and submitting it the appropriate party, whether ISSO or USCIS. There is no need to apply for or sponsor any visas during CPT and OPT periods.

How long is OPT good for?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is 12-month work authorization available to F-1 international students who have been full-time students for at least two consecutive semesters and plan to seek employment in the United States in their fields of study.

Can I overstay my F1 visa?

Staying in the U.S. beyond your allowable grace period is also a violation of F-1 regulations. If your SEVIS (or I-20) is terminated OR you overstay your grace period, you could be accruing unlawful presence. This can lead to arrest and deportation proceedings.

What happens if you overstay OPT?

Overstaying on OPT (Optional Practical Training) can have serious consequences for your immigration status. Typically, if you overstay your OPT by more than 180 days but less than one year, you may be barred from reentering the United States for three years.

Do F-1 students need sponsorship for OPT?

No employer sponsorship needed.

Students must be enrolled for one year before applying for OPT. OPT may be used before or after a student completes their degree. OPT acquired before degree completion is referred to as Pre-completion OPT. OPT acquired after degree completion is referred to as Post-completion OPT.

Can F-1 students get paid?

An F-1 student must have remained enrolled for at least one academic year, in status and in good academic standing before USCIS will authorize off-campus employment. The F-1 student must be unable to get on-campus employment, or the pay from available on-campus employment must be insufficient to meet financial needs.

Is F-1 OPT also required visa sponsorship?

F-1 OPT Employees

Graduates with valid OPT work authorization can work for any U.S. employer so long as the work is at least part-time, and is directly related to their major. Individuals with valid OPT do not require Dartmouth immigration sponsorship in order to begin working.

Can I work 80 hours a week on OPT?

Similarly, there is no maximum number of hours per week that a student can work on OPT (unless you count 168 hours--the number of hours in a week--as a maximum). A student could work an 80 hour week, for example, split between two 40 hour per week jobs.

Can I apply for green card while on OPT?

The processing time for a Green Card application while on OPT is generally around 12 months, but it could take longer, depending on the international student's country of citizenship, whether there is a large backlog of applications pending, and other factors.

Can you work 80 hours on OPT?

Future Students

There is no maximum number of hours that can be worked while on STEM OPT, but because there is a minimum, it may be difficult to work for more than 2 employers. For example, if you work for two qualifying STEM OPT employers, at a minimum, you would need to be working 40 hours per week.