Can I stay in the US while waiting for OPT?

You can also use your Receipt Number (found on your I-797C Receipt Notice) to track the status of your specific USCIS application. Note on the 60-day Grace Period: Students who have submitted an OPT Application with USCIS in a timely manner may remain in the U.S. after their grace period ends to await adjudication.

Can I leave the country while my OPT is pending?

Travel While OPT STEM Extension Application is Pending

If your post-completion OPT has not expired yet, you can travel as usual on your approved OPT. If your OPT has expired and your STEM application is still under review, we would recommend you do not travel outside the US.

Can I work while my OPT is pending?

You can continue working & travel

Your work authorization is automatically extended for up to 180 days while the 24-month STEM OPT extension application is pending. The USCIS receipt notice is documentation of the extended authorization.

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.

How long does OPT take to get approved?

Typically your OPT application will take 90 to 120 days to be processed by USCIS, but for a more detailed timeline for an OPT application and approval see Optional Practical Training (OPT). You must have your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card before you can begin work.

For all International Students: Stay in the U.S. after your OPT expires

What is the shortest time for OPT approval?

According to the USCIS, the processing period for an OPT EAD card could last up to 30 days from the time of acceptance. Nevertheless, a majority of cards arrive within 7–10 days. An OPT application is expected to take 90–120 days in total.

Can I work before OPT is approved?

You cannot begin work until you have received the EAD. The EAD will explicitly state the dates you are authorized to work. All OPT employment must be directly related to your major field of study and occur within the periods of authorized employment as shown on the EAD.

What is the 5 month rule for OPT?

The five month rule refers to the termination of a student's record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) based on the student being away from classes or not in status for five months.

What is the 14 month rule for OPT?

14-month OPT Period

To allow F-1 students to complete the full 12-month period of OPT, (the 14-month requirement will begin from the date of approval of the Form I-765 for applications for post-completion OPT, instead of from the student's program end date.

How long can I stay on OPT without a job?

Students with a 12-month Post-Completion OPT authorization cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days. This is aggregate, meaning that if you have 40 days of unemployment, you would only be allowed to be unemployed for a remaining 50 days before you risk violating your immigration status.

What to do if OPT is pending?

If your OPT Application is still pending, it is advised that you withdraw/cancel your application with USCIS. Keep documentation of your withdrawal to show that your intentions changed during the pending decision period of your OPT Application.

Can you apply for green card on OPT?

If you want to apply for a green card while you are in F-1 OPT visa status, you will need to apply early. Depending on your home country, there might be a lengthy wait. While the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act in July 2019, the Senate has not acted on this bill.

What if OPT takes too long?

What if I do not receive my STEM OPT EAD card within 90-120 days? Submit the USCIS e-request for "Outside Normal Processing Time" on the USCIS website. As the applicant, you are also able to contact the USCIS Customer Service Center using the phone number on your Receipt Notice.

Can I leave the US while waiting for work permit?

You can only leave the US after your advance parole is approved. If you leave the US before your advance parole is approved, regardless of whether or not you wait for it to be approved before returning, your application will be deemed abandoned and denied.

Can I apply for F-1 visa while on OPT?

Even during OPT or STEM OPT, your immigration status in the US is still F-1. Therefore, you can still apply for a new F-1 visa if you need to while travelling abroad. You can use the basic instructions to schedule a visa appointment you may already be familiar with, or use the detailed directions here.

Can I work remotely outside US on OPT?

Remote work authorization options for international students

According to USCIS, you can use OPT for remote work for a non-US company, but you can only work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester. During school breaks, you can work up to 40 hours a week.

What happens if my OPT is denied?

If you receive notice of the denial before your 60 day grace period expires, you may reapply for OPT but will need to resubmit all application materials again, including a new OPT Recommendation from OIA as well as another $410 filing fee. The 2nd application will also be subject to the same standard processing times.

Can I work 20 hours on OPT?

Pre-completion OPT (OPT that is done prior to program completion), can be authorized either part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time (21 hours or more per week).

What is the maximum days for 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 40 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.

What is the grace period for OPT?

If the program will not start within 150 days or less, or if the SEVIS transfer request is not made to the ISA at least 7-10 business days prior to the grace period deadline, the student will be required to leave the US by the end of the OPT 60 day grace period.

How much does OPT cost?

Who pays the OPT and STEM OPT filing fee? You pay the $410 OPT or STEM OPT application when you file the OPT or STEM OPT application with USCIS.

Can I enter the US before my OPT start date?

Approved OPT Application

You can re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status before the start date or after the start date of your EAD card.

What happens if OPT gets approved after start date?

Remember, the dates on the card determine when you are authorized to work, even if they are not the dates for which you intended to apply. If for any reason USCIS approves the I-765 for post-completion OPT after the start date you requested, the start date should be set as the date the application was approved.

Do you need sponsorship while on OPT?

While on OPT and STEM OPT, a student does not need sponsorship from the employer nor is any cost required by the employer.