What is OPT and How To Apply

1. What is OPT
2. Types of OPT
3. Eligibility and General Requirements
4. Timeline
5. Necessary Documents

1. What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is entirely bound to an F-1 student’s major field of study.

OPT can go on up to 12 months before the end of an academic program (pre-completion) and/or after the end of an academic program (post-completion).

OPT is a good opportunity for students to gain more work experience and to get familiar with American business culture.

2. Types of OPT

If you are an F-1 student, you may be eligible to participate in OPT in two different ways:

Pre-completion OPT: You may apply for pre-completion OPT if you were a full-time student for one academic year at a college, or university licensed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students.

You may work part time (20 hours) during school time and full time when school is not in session .

Post-completion OPT: You may apply for post-completion OPT after you’ve finished your studies. You may work part time (20 hours) or full time.

*OPT program is completely optional, so it is up to you if you will apply for it or not.

3. Eligibility and General Requirements

• Employment must be entirely bound to the student’s major
• Student must maintain F-1 status
• Student must apply for OPT before completion of all work towards a degree
• Students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are not eligible for OPT. If CPT is part-time, it will NOT impact OPT eligibility.
• After your OPT expires, you are allowed to stay in the country for 60 days. However, if your type of OPT is post-completion OPT and your unemployment lasted more than 90 days, you are NOT eligible for the 60-day grace period.

4. Timeline (Non-Stem Degree)

5. Necessary documents

1. The original I-765 form signed in black
2. Form G-1145 (e-notification of application/petition acceptance)
3. Copies of 1st and 2nd page of all I-20s
4. Copies of any previous Employment Authorization Documents (EAD)
5. Copy of I-94 record
6. Copy of the most recent passport biographical page
7. Copy of the most recent F1 visa
8. Check or money order for $410.00, payable to Department of Homeland Security
9. Two US-style passport photos with name and I-94 number printed in Pencil on the back.

Concluding words

The process of applying for OPT is not as difficult as it seams. All you have to do is to prepare all the needed documents and apply for OPT in time. It is most likely that you will have support from your university. Good luck!

Originally published at https://blog.lexperi.com.