Can I study while working on OPT?

If you have an EAD card and an employment letter, then you are eligible to apply for a new visa if you travel overseas. Can I take classes while on OPT? Yes, as long as you are not considered a full-time student or pursuing a degree.

Can I go to school while on OPT?

Yes. You may apply to another school while you are on OPT. Once you have been admitted to a school and you have decided to attend that school, an I-20 must be issued for the new program.

How many hours can I work during 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).

Can I be a part-time student on OPT?

If you are on approved OPT, your F-1 status depends on maintaining your employment. If you wish to study, you must do so only on a part-time basis. If you want to start a full time program at CSUF or another school, you must alert the ISS office that you need to transfer or change your level of education.

How many days can you be unemployed on F-1 OPT?

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.

Can I Take Classes While Working on OPT (F1 Visa International Students)

Can I work 2 full time jobs on OPT?

The short answer: Yes! You can work multiple jobs on OPT. You can accept multiple full-time jobs, part-time jobs, or a combination of both while on your OPT. One critical aspect of the post-completion OPT is that there's no cap on the total number of hours you work.

Can I work 60 hours a week on OPT?

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.

Can I work 40 hours on OPT?

For pre-completion part-time OPT, you cannot work for more than 20 hours a week. 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.

Can I get a masters while on OPT?

A student who is authorized for 12 months of OPT during/after a Bachelor's degree program, who moves on to do a Master's degree, will be eligible to pursue 12 new months of OPT during/after completion of the Master's degree; and this would continue to progressively higher degree levels.

Can I work one full time and one part-time job on OPT?

Students on Post-completion OPT must work at least 20 hours per week or full time. Multiple employers: Students may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to the student's degree program. Students on Pre-completion OPT cannot exceed the allowed per week cumulative hours.

Can I work two jobs on 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 unpaid on OPT?

Work during OPT does not need to be paid but always needs to be related to your degree.

Can I work 20 hours on OPT?

If you are authorized to participate in pre-completion OPT, you may work (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session. You may work full time when school is not in session. Post-completion OPT: You may apply to participate in post-completion OPT after completing your studies.

Can I study on an F-1 OPT?

Beginning a full-time or degree-seeking program of study while on OPT is not allowed. If you decide to go back to school full-time, you will need to transfer your SEVIS Record and I-20 to the new school.

Can I go home during my OPT?

You may travel during a Cap-Gap Extension of OPT when certain conditions are met but you should not leave the U.S. while your H-1B application is pending.

What happens to OPT if I 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.

Can I do PhD while working on OPT?

If you do not complete your degree on the timeline expected, you may continue to work full-time on OPT while completing your dissertation. You must complete degree requirements by the end of your OPT period. We recommend waiting to begin Post-OPT employment until your dissertation is near completion.

Can you do PhD while on OPT?

Yes you can definitely apply for a PhD while on OPT, but the PhD application by itself doesn't grant any status, so to stay legally in the short term you still need to keep your OPT (or some other non immigrant status) valid.

Does GPA matter for OPT?

So long as you're in good academic standing (with cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher) you should be eligible to apply for OPT. Be sure to apply as early as possible, and make sure to have other side projects you have done so you don't face rejections from prospective employers due to your low cumulative GPA.

What is the 90 day rule for OPT?

Does the rule mean I have to find a job within the first three months of my OPT or go home? 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.

Can stem OPT be unpaid?

Can STEM OPT be unpaid? Employment during STEM OPT must be paid as outlined on the I-983 Training Plan.

How much is the OPT fee?

USCIS's OPT (I-765) application fee will increase to $470 for online filings starting April 1, 2024. Paper OPT filings will increase to $520.

How do I end my OPT early?

May I cancel my OPT application once I have applied? Yes, you may request that the OPT application be withdrawn. Email your IS Advisor as soon as possible if you need to withdraw the OPT application. Once your OPT application has been approved by USCIS, it cannot be withdrawn.

Can I take online courses while on OPT?

Per immigration regulations, students cannot be enrolled in certificate or degree seeking (in-person or online programs) while on OPT. Students may take classes that are avocational or recreational in nature and are incidental to their employment.

Can I start business on OPT?

The exact language in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's guidance states: “A student on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. The student must be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to the student's degree program.”