Can I hire someone on STEM OPT?

Employers who hire STEM OPT students must follow specific reporting requirements and coordinate with a student's Designated School Official (DSO). Students, employers and DSOs develop a formal training plan that encompasses the student's term of employment.

Can I hire an employee with an OPT?

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.

Can I work for any employer on a STEM OPT?

Multiple Employers

You may work for more than one employer on STEM OPT, but each employment occurrence must be related to your stem STEM field of study, and must be for at least 20 hours per week. Each separate STEM OPT employer must provide an I-983 Training Plan.

Can I work as a contractor on STEM OPT?

Can I work as a 1099 contractor on STEM OPT? Since a 1099 contractor (also known as an independent contractor) is generally considered self-employed, we believe it is in your best interest to avoid working as a 1099 contractor during your STEM OPT.

Can STEM OPT students use staffing or temporary agencies?

You cannot be paid by a third party or staffing agency, or work at a location other than your employer's place of business. For more information, please see “The Employer's Training Obligation: Staffing and Temporary Agencies” on the USCIS Website.

Employer Hiring on STEM OPT through H1B

Can I work for 2 employers on STEM OPT?

You may work for more than one qualifying employer while on STEM OPT, but all employment must be related to your most recently completed degree program, all employers must be enrolled in E-Verify and complete reporting requirements (i.e. I-983s), and you must work a minimum of 20 hours a week for each employer.

Can I work on w2 on STEM OPT?

Yes, you can work on any number of jobs while on OPT, as long as they are all in your area of study, and you work at least 20 hours a week. The jobs can be paid, volunteering, or self-employment for a company you set up.

Can I do freelance work on stem OPT?

You can do freelance work while you are on OPT, but please make sure to get an offer of work in writing, including the employer name, start and end dates of projects, etc. Save this information for your records. All necessary information will need to be entered into the SEVP Portal.

Is it mandatory to run payroll in stem OPT?

F-1 international students participating in a 24-month science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) optional practical training (OPT) extension must receive fair compensation for their training.

Can I work more than 40 hours on stem OPT?

In other words, there is no limit to the number of hours allowed for working. But you need to comply with the requirement of working for the minimum number of hours to be considered as being employed. You should work at least 20 hours a week.

Can I work 20 hours on STEM OPT?

Select a STEM OPT employer that provides the student with formal training and learning objectives. Work a minimum of 20 hours per week per employer.

What is the minimum salary for stem OPT?

There is no specific wage requirement for employment during STEM OPT, but the I-983 includes an attestation by the employer that compensation is commensurate with that provided to U.S. employees who provide similar duties and responsibilities.

What if I lose my job during stem OPT?

Yes, students on STEM OPT may be temporarily unemployed. Under standard post-completion OPT, you receive a 90 day allotment to be unemployed. When you receive the STEM extension, you receive an additional 60 days to be unemployed giving you a total of 150 days of unemployment during your entire OPT time.

Do I need to tell my employer I am on OPT?

If you're on OPT, the answer to that question is yes. If they never asked—or if they did ask and the answer wasn't yes: before accepting the offer, this is the time to tell them. The issue here is that H1B sponsorship is challenging for employers, and penalties for getting it wrong are substantial.

Does stem OPT need sponsorship?

While no employer sponsorship is required, employers must be involved in training and are responsible for completing the I-983 Training Plan and multiple follow-up progress reports. STEM OPT can only be used after a student completes his or her initial 12 months of “regular” OPT.

How do I employ someone with a work visa?

How many days can you stay unemployed on stem OPT?

Federal law limits how long F-1 students on post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT can be unemployed. The limits are: Post-completion OPT: 90 days. STEM OPT: 150 days, which includes any days accrued while on post-completion OPT.

Can I work on OPT without salary?

Work during OPT does not need to be paid but always needs to be related to your degree. Please report all internships and volunteer work at employment through SEVP portal to avoid accruing days of unemployment.

What is the employer responsibility for stem OPT?

Specifically, STEM OPT employers are responsible for completing Section 3 to Section 6 on the Form I-983. These sections request specific information about the company and the agreed-upon practical training schedule and compensation, as well as the formal training plan, respectively.

How long can I work on OPT stem?

The STEM extension of OPT will be 24 months in duration. Qualifying F-1 students will thus be eligible for a total of 36 months of OPT employment authorization, including the initial 12-month OPT period.

How much is the stem OPT maintenance fee?

The Dashew Center OPT Administrative Processing Fee for the STEM OPT Extension application is $380.

What is the 90 day rule for OPT?

The 90 days start counting from your approved OPT/EAD start date (not the recommended start date nor the program end date on your I-20) and are cumulative. If you accumulate 90 days or more of unemployment, you are in violation of your F-1 status.

Can I quit my job while stem OPT is pending?

Change in Employment. While on STEM OPT, you must report any change in employment within 10 days of the change. New employment: submit a new Form I-983. End in employment: submit the final evaluation (page 5 of the Form I-983 (pdf)).

What is the 90 day rule for EAD?

You must be gainfully employed by the 90th day after the start date listed on your EAD Card. The total number of days allowed for unemployment while on post-completion OPT is a maximum of 90 days.

Do stem students get 3 years OPT?

Furthermore, the government will only grant STEM OPT to those who are in “Post-Completion” OPT. In other words, the program is for graduates, not current students. Combining Post-Completion OPT with the STEM extension allows you to stay in the US for three years after graduation on your F-1 student visa.