What is OPT And How It is Useful in The USA?
OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a benefit available to overseas students with F-1 visas who are enrolled in or have completed a degree program in the United States. This job can be used to:
· Prior to the completion of study during a vacation or leave term
· Following the conclusion of study.
The actual date when you finish all requirements for a program of study (such as the date of your final exams or the submission of your thesis or dissertation) is described as completion of studies. It is not always assumed to be the date of graduation celebrations.
F-1 students with valid F-1 student status for at least nine months may be eligible to apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for up to 12 months of OPT work authorization and place their resumes in the general OPT resumes database.
Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for OPT:
· Be in possession of a valid F-1 visa at the time of application.
· Be enrolled full-time in the United States for at least one full academic year.
· Be physically present in the United States when submitting the application online or by mail.
Timing consideration for OPT”
Students may apply for OPT with an OPT resume, up to 90 days before the program end date on the Form I-20 and no later than 60 days after the program end date.
· At each higher degree level, the majority of students are able to apply for post-completion OPT.
· OPT can be utilized just once each higher degree level.
· OPT must be used immediately following graduation and cannot be carried forward.
· Students cannot begin working on OPT until they have received their EAD work card and the validity term has begun.
Work completed prior to graduation ©(3)(A)
Post-completion — employment following graduation ©(3)(B)
STEM OPT is offered to students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math who are employed by a company that has registered with the government’s E-Verify program. Check out the STEM Designated Degree Programs to discover if your degree qualifies.
Employment must be closely related to your primary field of study and degree of education acceptable. Before applying for OPT, you do not need to have a job offer, and your position can be anywhere in the United States. Additionally, you may change employment throughout your OPT time.
Length of authorisation and hours worked
Students can apply for an initial post-graduation period of 12 months, less any OPT time used prior to completion. The requested employment start date must be within 60 days of the program’s completion. The employment authorization will begin on the day sought or, if later, on the date the employment authorization is authorized.
Exception: The 24-month STEM OPT extension begins on the day after the initial post-completion OPT employment authorization expires and concludes 24 months later, regardless of the day the actual extension is issued their resume remains in the active OPT resumes database in the USA.
It may be possible to extend the time of OPT in two cases.
In the first situation, you must have a STEM degree (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math), be hired by an employer participating in the E-Verify government program, and file Form I-765 with a fee to request a 24-month extension. Students who apply for the 24-month OPT extension in a timely manner will be able to continue working while the application is pending, until a final decision on the I-765 is made or for 180 days, whichever comes first.
In the second situation, students who have a filed and pending H-1B petition automatically have their status and work permission extended.
Unemployment
During post-completion OPT and STEM OPT, only a limited amount of jobless time is permitted.
· Post-Completion OPT: Students may accrue no more than 90 days of accumulated unemployment.
· STEM OPT: Students can only accrue a total of 150 days of unemployment, which includes post-completion OPT unemployment time.
Conclusion
Engaging in activities that would be considered employment without the necessary work authorization will violate your immigration status and can jeopardize your rights to remain in the United States and earn future United States immigration benefits. Before accepting an opportunity, check with your OVIS counselor if you have any questions about it.
