Can I work on OPT for 3 years?

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.

How many years can I work with OPT?

Twelve months of Regular OPT is available for each higher level of study. (For example a student may have 12 months for a bachelor's degree and another 12 months for a master's degree.) Pre-Completion OPT: Any portion of OPT used before the student's Program End Date. It may be part-time or full-time.

What is the maximum duration of STEM OPT?

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.

What is the lifetime limit for OPT?

Students in F-1 status, enrolled as a full-time student for at least one full academic year (Fall + Spring term) in their degree program, are eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization per degree level at a progressively highly degree level in a student's lifetime.

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.

Multiple jobs on F1 OPT - Earn more !!

Can I work 80 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.

What happens after 3 year OPT?

Introduction: Work Authorization Post-OPT

During that short time, you must either leave the U.S. or obtain an alternative form of work authorization. There are several visa and green card options available to international workers looking to stay in the U.S. after their OPT expires.

How long can I stay unemployed on 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.

What is the 5 month rule for OPT?

The 5-month rule applies when an F-1 student quits attending school without getting a valid early withdrawal. This regulation states that if an F-1 student misses more than five months of classes, their F-1 status may have been compromised.

Can I extend my OPT?

You can request your STEM OPT Extension I-20 from ISS as early as 90 days before your current 12-month OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card expiration date. USCIS must receive your STEM OPT extension application before your current 12-month OPT EAD Card expiration date.

What are the new rules for OPT?

OPT allows for 12 months of practical training. In January 2022, the Biden administration announced in a Federal Register notice that it would expand eligibility for STEM OPT by adding 22 qualifying fields of study, including cloud computing, anthrozoology, climate science, mathematical economics and others.

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 happens if I lose my job on 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.

Can I do unpaid work on OPT?

Students on 12 month OPT may undertake unpaid employment, as long as the work 1) relates to the student's field of study and 2) does not violate any U.S. Department of Labor laws.

What if I get a job after 90 days of OPT?

If you have a job offer that begins more than 90 days after your OPT begins, you will exceed your allowable unemployment time. Receiving a job offer within 90 days is not sufficient, you must be employed in one of the employment types listed above.

Can I work after OPT expires?

If you plan to continue working in the U.S. after your OPT period, there are a variety of employer-sponsored work visas that may be available to you depending on your employer, the kind of work you engage in, your qualifications, and your citizenship.

Can we apply 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 is the 90 days 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.

What is the 14 month rule for OPT?

The authorization for post-completion OPT must be completed within a 14-month period following the completion of study. The requested end date cannot be more than 12 months after the requested start date.

Can I work for any employer on OPT?

Types of Employment Allowed on Post-Completion OPT

You may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to your degree program. You may work for multiple short-term employers. For instance, if you are a musician or performing artist, you can have gigs.

How do I keep F-1 status after 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 I work for 2 employers 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 start a startup on OPT?

OPT allows F-1 students to work temporarily for one full year either before or after graduation in a job that relates to their college major. You can work for your startup on CPT or OPT as long as your role and company fit within the CPT and OPT guidelines.

What to do after OPT expires?

Options After OPT/Ending OPT

You are allowed a 60-day grace period following your OPT expiration date to leave the United States, change your visa status, or transfer your F-1 record to a new school or program. In some cases, you may want to pursue these options before the end of your OPT.