Welcome to blog #3 for my U.S. Immigration journey series. For this blog, I will share how I obtained the Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization. I will include what OPT is, how I obtained the OPT, eligibility for OPT, rules and regulations pertaining to OPT, OPT tips, OPT jobs, staying in the U.S. after OPT, implications of Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) vs. Non-STEM degree pertaining to OPT, etc.
According to USCIS, Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and 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.
OPT is important because post-graduation, OPT is the work authorization that international students use to gain work experience in their field of study for 12 months. Students get practical skills and knowledge from working for American-based companies. Only U.S. graduates qualify for OPT. International students who get STEM degrees qualify for an additional 24 months of OPT, giving a total of 36 months of OPT. This is great news because while on OPT, a number of international students apply for H1Bs. Having a 36-month-long OPT gives international students more chances to apply for the lottery-based H1B visa. NON-STEM graduates get one shot at the H1B while on OPT, yet STEM degree graduates get three tries. Having a STEM degree is beneficial since someone gets three tries for the H1B. My journey to getting OPT involved:
- Qualifying for OPT given I met these criteria:
- Enrolled at Franklin College of Indiana as a full-time student.
- Maintained legal status throughout my stay in the U.S.
- Completed at least one year, i.e., I was almost done with my degree when I applied.
- Before graduating from Franklin College of Indiana, I ensured that I secured a full-time analytics role at a major tech company.
- Talked to my designated school official (DSO) and asked them to recommend me for OPT on my SEVIS record.
- Within 30 days of my DSO recommending me for OPT and 90 days before I completed my undergrad degree, I applied for post-completion OPT.
- Submitted application to USCIS. Application included:
- a copy of my Form I-94,
- Form I-765,
- I-20,
- copy of passport,
- Two passport-style photos.
- Graduated in May, and shortly after my Form I-765 was approved, I received my Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
While on OPT, here are some rules and regulations to abide by:
- Maintain U.S. legal status.
- Also, inform the DSO about changes and report changes in names, employment, address, etc.
- Fulfill the job requirements for the OPT-based role, including working at least 20 hrs per week in a job related to areas of study.
Given I have a STEM degree, i.e., I majored in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, once my OPT was about to run out, I took the following steps to extend it:
- I reached out to my DSO and asked them to recommend me for a STEM OPT extension on my SEVIS record.
- Within 60 days of my DSO recommending me for the STEM OPT extension and 90 days before my current OPT expired, I applied for the STEM OPT extension.
- Got approved, which gave me an additional 24 months of legal status while I applied for the H1B.
I will share more about my transition from OPT to H1B in the next blog as part of the six series U.S. immigration series. Pro-tip: STEM OPT extension is only available to international students who obtain a degree in the STEM field. For OPT STEM extension, students must also be employed by a company enrolled in and using E-verify and hold a job based on STEM. In my next blog, I will share about my transition from OPT to H-1B Visa.