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 is the new rule for OPT extension?

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.

Is there a limit on OPT?

Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

Can you get an OPT twice?

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). The 12 months of OPT must be used all at once, it cannot be broken up.

How long can you stay after OPT expires?

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 I lost my STEM Extension 🤯

What happens after 3 years of OPT?

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.

What happens if you overstay OPT?

If you overstay for 180–365 days, you can be barred for three years. If you overstay for more than 365 days, you can be barred for ten years. If I overstay my visa, how long can I stay in the US? If you have overstayed your lawful period of admission you are the unlawfully present in the US and subject to deportation.

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 do my masters while on OPT?

You can apply for a new OPT period for each new degree level you complete — for instance, if you receive a Bachelor's degree, you can apply for OPT and work for a year, go back to graduate school, then when you complete your Master's or PhD, you can apply for OPT again and work for another year (many students actually ...

How many times can you get an OPT visa?

You can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, (i.e., you may have 12 months of OPT at the bachelor's level and another 12 months of OPT at the master's level). Your DSO will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows the DSO recommendation for this employment.

Can I work 80 hours 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 unpaid on OPT?

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

How long can you extend an OPT visa?

Students who file an application for the 24-month OPT extension in a timely manner (the DSO recommends 90 days) before their existing OPT expires will be able to continue employment while the extension application is pending until a final decision is made on the I-765 OR for 180 days, whichever comes first.

Can OPT extension be denied?

If USCIS receives the student's STEM OPT Extension application after their OPT EAD end, their STEM OPT Extension application will be denied.

Will you be eligible for a 24-month stem extension of OPT?

Eligibility for 24-Month STEM OPT Extension

Be maintaining valid F-1 status. Be on a period of standard Post-Completion OPT. Hold a degree in a field of study (indicated on the I-20) which qualifies as STEM eligible according to the official STEM Designated Degree Program List.

Can I start 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.

Can I get stem extension twice?

You may obtain up to 2 STEM extensions provided that the second STEM extension is for a higher qualifying degree.

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 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.

Does OPT require sponsorship?

Other Characteristics of OPT: No employer sponsorship needed. Students must be enrolled for one year before applying for OPT. OPT may be used before or after a student completes their degree.

Can I work overtime on OPT?

On an F-1 Visa 20 hours or more is considered full-time, so you can definitely work more than 20, more than 30, or more than 40 hours. Yes. Any F-1 student who is on STEM OPT can work for more than 40 hours. USCIS has put up 40 hours to make sure the student is working fulltime.

How do I stay in USA after OPT expires?

Can I marry a US citizen if I overstay my visa?

Long-term overstays can still lead to a successful green card application through marriage. The U.S. immigration system can forgive overstays for spouses of U.S. citizens, allowing them to adjust their status while remaining in the U.S.

What happens if you stay longer than 6 months in USA?

If you remain in the United States longer than authorized, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States. Check the date in the lower right-hand corner of your Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, to determine the date your authorized stay expires.

Can I get green card after 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.