How long can I stay after OPT ends?

The Grace Period: After completing your OPT, you are eligible for a 60-day grace period. During this time, you may travel within the U.S., transfer your SEVIS record to a new school, request a change of level if you are starting a new program at the UW, or apply to change status to another visa category.

How long can I stay after my OPT expires?

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.

How long can you stay unemployed on 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.

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.

How long can an F-1 student stay after graduation?

An F-1 student may enter the United States initially up to 30 days before, but no later than, the program start date on the I-20. An F-1 student may remain in the United States for up to 60 days beyond: the completion of the program of study.

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

What happens after OPT expires?

Introduction: Work Authorization Post-OPT

After OPT or STEM OPT expires, international students only have a grace period of 60 days. During that short time, you must either leave the U.S. or obtain an alternative form of work authorization.

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.

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.

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.

What is the new rule for OPT?

Eligibility for a STEM extension of OPT

The new regulation will broaden the eligibility criteria for a STEM extension of OPT and lengthen the duration of STEM employment authorization, as follows: A more extensive list of U.S. STEM and related degrees will qualify F-1 students for an OPT extension.

Can I work after OPT ends?

Yes, you can work after your first OPT period ends and while your STEM OPT application is pending up to 180 days provided USCIS receives your STEM OPT application by the expiration of the first OPT period.

Can I apply for a green card while on OPT?

Applying for a Green Card while on OPT does not impact OPT status, unless the applicant is approved for a Green Card. If approved for a Green Card, there will be adjustment of status from OPT status to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.

What happens if I lose my job on OPT?

During the OPT period, you have lots of freedom to operate with. There is a 90-day unemployment period during which you can change jobs freely (as long as they are related to your major). If you are laid off, just actively search for new employment and report it to your school once you find a new employer.

How many times can I extend my OPT?

A student may participate twice in the STEM OPT extension over the course of their academic career. Students may not apply for STEM OPT extensions during the 60-day grace period following an initial (usually 12-month) period of post-completion OPT.

What if my visa is expired on OPT?

If you are approved for OPT/STEM while outside the United States, you will need to arrange for your EAD card to be sent to you in order to re-enter the United States. If your F-1 visa is expired, you will need to reapply for an F-1 visa with your EAD card and proof of employment.

Can I get OPT twice?

Most students are eligible to apply for a total of 12 months of OPT at each higher degree level. OPT can only be used once per higher degree level even if you have multiple degrees per level (e.g. OPT based on a Bachelor's degree and then OPT based on a Master's degree or PhD).

What happens after 90 days of OPT?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will terminate immigration records for students who have exceeded 90 days of unemployment. If your immigration record is terminated, you must leave the US immediately; there is no grace period. If you exceed 90 days of unemployment, you will no longer be in valid F-1 status.

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.

How many years of OPT do you get?

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.

How do I get an OPT extension?

What happens if I apply for OPT but 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.

What is the OPT extension?

Some F-1 students who have received education in STEM courses then they can apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT).

Is it harder to get a job on OPT?

OPT is a work authorization, for students who hold F1 Visa. It can work while they are enrolled in any degree in any College Course based in the USA. Finding OPT jobs is a tough nut to crack but it is not impossible. With the proper guidance and strategy one can quickly grab a decent job offer.

Can I work unpaid on OPT?

Employment must be within the student's field for which OPT was authorized (listed on the I-20). At least 20 hours/week (for standard post-completion OPT). Employment may be paid or unpaid as long as the unpaid work does not violate labor laws. The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division determines labor laws.

How strict is OPT?

Under the F1 OPT visa status, you will need to strictly comply with the 90 days unemployment provision, which means that if you fail to find a job within 90 days of the start of your OPT, you will have to prepare for your departure from the U.S or apply for the change of status.