What Is OPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary work authorization that allows F-1 visa students to work in the United States after graduation in a job directly related to their field of study. USCIS grants OPT through an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that lets you work for any employer without requiring sponsorship or a separate visa petition during the authorized period.
Eligibility and Duration
You must have been in valid F-1 status for at least one academic year and have a job offer in your field to apply for OPT. The standard duration is 12 months, though STEM field graduates (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) qualify for a 24-month extension, bringing the total to 36 months. To apply, you file Form I-765 with USCIS within 60 days of your program end date or after graduation, which costs $410 as of 2024.
Processing typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Your school's Designated School Official (DSO) must recommend you for OPT in the SEVIS system before you submit your application. USCIS requires evidence that your job relates to your degree program, so save the job offer letter, job description, and hiring letter from your employer.
OPT and Green Card Strategy
OPT serves as a bridge between student status and permanent residence. Time spent on OPT counts toward establishing the physical presence requirement for cancellation of removal if you ever face deportation proceedings. More importantly, OPT allows you to gain work experience while your employer explores sponsorship options through the H-1B visa or PERM labor certification process for a green card.
The I-140 immigrant petition and green card adjustment of status or consular processing can begin while you're on OPT. However, once your OPT expires, you must maintain valid status (typically H-1B) or depart the United States. If your green card is pending and OPT ends, you need a bridge visa or must port to H-1B employment immediately.
STEM OPT Extension
If your degree is in a STEM field on the USCIS-approved list, you qualify for a 24-month extension after your initial 12-month period ends. This requires your employer to file Form I-765 again before your first OPT period expires. The STEM extension is highly valuable because it gives your employer more time to initiate the green card process and demonstrates extended U.S. work experience to USCIS.
Common Questions
- Can I change employers while on OPT? Yes, you can switch employers at any time during your OPT period. You remain authorized to work as long as the job is in your field of study. Notify your previous employer and update your employer information with USCIS if required by local guidance, but no permission or filing is needed to change jobs.
- Does OPT count toward green card processing? OPT counts as authorized presence in the United States, but does not directly count as an employment-based green card category. However, the work experience you gain strengthens your employment-based sponsorship application (EB-2 or EB-3) by demonstrating professional contribution and ties to your employer.
- What happens if OPT expires and I don't have a green card or H-1B yet? You must depart the United States within 60 days of your OPT expiration date or transition to another valid visa status. If you overstay, you will accrue unlawful presence, which carries consequences for future visa applications and green card sponsorship.