What is OPT and how does it work for F-1 students in the USA?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a period of temporary employment authorisation for F-1 student visa holders that allows you to gain practical work experience in your field of study in the United States. It is the primary way international students can work in the US after graduation.

Standard OPT provides up to 12 months of work authorisation. It can be used before graduation (pre-completion OPT) or after graduation (post-completion OPT), but most students use the full 12 months post-graduation.

STEM OPT Extension: If you graduate with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) from an SEVP-certified institution, you may be eligible for a 24-month extension of your OPT, giving you up to 3 years of work authorisation in total. Your employer must participate in E-Verify to qualify.

To apply for OPT, you must: request an OPT recommendation from your DSO (who will endorse your I-20), file Form I-765 with USCIS, pay the filing fee (currently USD $410), and submit the application within 90 days before or 60 days after your graduation date.

OPT processing can take 3 to 5 months, so apply early. You can start working on your OPT start date as long as you have your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in hand.

OPT does not directly lead to a green card, but many students use their OPT period to secure employer sponsorship for an H-1B work visa, which is the most common long-term route to US permanent residency for international graduates.