Introduction

OPT Visa or Optional Practical Training is applied by the students on their F1 Visa to gain practical training with respect to their educational background. The students having an F1 visa can apply for the OPT (Optional Practical Training) to get 12 months of employment authorization.

F1 students eligible to apply for the OPT Visa in the USA might wonder about “How to apply for OPT visa?” or “When to apply for the OPT visa?” This article will definitely help you with the required information.

What is an OPT Visa?

OPT Visa or Optional Practical Training is a temporary employment program for international students in the USA on F1 Visa. The employment duration for the Optional Practical Training is for 12 months and further can be applied for an extension of the employment for 24 months as per the eligibility criteria of the educational field.

The Optional Practical Training/OPT visa can be applied after the completion of graduation of an international student on an F1 visa. Optional Practical Training/OPT visa helps to gain practical knowledge and experience in the field of education.

Types of F1 OPT Visa:

An individual applying for OPT visa should ensure applying for jobs with respect to their domain. Here are the types of OPT visa:

1. Pre-completion OPT

Pre-completion OPT can be applied by an international student on an F1 visa who has completed 12 months of a full-time degree from a college, university, or any educational institute that is approved by the SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) via ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

The candidates during the Pre-completion OPT are allowed to work for 20 hours per week while the classes are conducted in the school. The candidate can work full-time if the classes are not conducted.

2. Post-completion OPT:

The candidate on an F1 visa can apply for Post-completion OPT after completion of the studies to get a work visa for 12 months. The Post-completion OPT allows the candidates to work directly with respect to their educational background.

The candidates under Post-completion OPT can either work for a full-time job or a contract job.

3. STEM OPT

The candidates on F1 Visa that qualifies for education in STEM background are eligible to apply for STEM OPT. STEM OPT allows the candidate to get 2 extension of work authorization of Post-completion OPT.

Who qualifies for STEM OPT?

• Candidate that holds a qualified degree from a STEM background.

• STEM stands for

• The candidates should have been enrolled for employment with an employer from an E-verified company.

• The candidate is required to have a Post-completion OPT visa approval as per the concerned degree eligible for STEM.

Eligibility criteria for OPT visa:

Candidate should be in a full-timedegree got at least one academic year under F1 visa status.

If the candidate has changed their visa to F1 status and has completed at least one academic year of a full-timedegree may apply for OPT prior to 1 year in F1 visa status.

The candidates are required to look for job openings with respect to their educational degree.

The candidate must be physically present in the USA while applying for OPT visa.

The candidate shouldn’t have used more than a year of full-timeCPT while completing the current degree level.

Steps for the application for OPT EAD Visa:

Here is the step-by-step process for eligible candidates applying for OPT EAD:

1. The first step is to approach the concerned Designated School Official (DSO) at your school. The DSO will endorse your form I-20 by making the recommendation.

2. The candidate would require to file form I-765 for application of work authorization from the USCIS along with the supporting documents and the required fees.

What is the right time to apply for OPT EAD?

Pre-completion OPT:

The candidates from STEM as well as Non-STEM backgrounds can apply after their concerned DSO recommends them for OPT program on the SEVIS portal.

Ensure the application is completed 90 days early of completing the full academic year.

Post-completion OPT:

The candidates from STEM as well as Non-STEM backgrounds can apply after their concerned DSO recommends them for OPT program on the SEVIS portal.

Ensure the application is completed within 30 days after the DSO recommends you for OPT employment in the SEVIS portal.

The application must be completed up to 90 days early from your graduation.

Ensure that the application to completed before 60 days from the date you graduate.

STEM OPT:

The candidates can apply after their concerned DSO recommends them for OPT program on the SEVIS portal.

Ensure the application is completed within 60 days after the DSO recommends you for OPT employment in the SEVIS portal.

The application must be completed up to 90 days early of your current OPT employment authorization expires.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for the process of applying for OPT visa:

1. What is OPT EAD card?

OPT EAD card is physical work authorization for OPT visa that works as proof that the holder is authorized to work in the US.

2. Is it required to have a job before applying for OPT?

No, it is not mandatory to have a job offer to apply for OPT EAD.

3. How long does it takes to get OPT EAD in the USA?

The OPT EAD is approved by the USCIS (United States Citizenship Immigration Services), and it might take around 3-5 months of time frame to get the OPT approved. Therefore, it is best to apply for OPT before 3 months of your expected graduation.

4. How long is an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) Valid in the USA?

An EAD (Employment Authorization Document) is a temporary approved visa. Majorly an EAD is valid for 1 year. It may differ as per the visa category.

5. Can I stay in the USA while waiting for the approval of my OPT EAD from the USCIS?

Yes, a candidate can stay in the USA while waiting for their OPT approval if applied on time even if the approval time exceeds the grace period of 60 days.

6. Can I work while waiting for the OPT EAD approval from the USCIS?

No, candidates cannot work while waiting for the OPT EAD approval from the USCIS.

7. Can my OPT EAD application get rejected from the USCIS?

In case your OPT EAD application gets rejected from the USCIS, you can file for a completely new application. Majorly, the reason behind the rejection can be the late filing of the application i.e. after 60 days grace period for OPT.

8. Can I travel outside the USA while waiting for the approval of OPT EAD from the USCIS?

Normally, it is not advisable to travel outside the USA while waiting for an application approval pending from the USCIS to avoid any kind of abandonment of your petition.

9. Is applying for OPT online faster?

No, the process doesn’t fasten if the OPT EAD application is made online.

10. How to check if my OPT EAD is approved?

The candidate can check the application status online with “Case was approved” if the application is approved. The candidate will also receive a mail of form I-797 notice of approval within a few days.

11. How many times OPT EAD can be applied?

In general, OPT can be applied once per higher level degree for a total of 1 year of OPT even if the candidate has multiple degrees per level.

12. How much is the fee for OPT application filing?

The fee associated while filing OPT application with the USCIS for I-765 is $410 currently.

13. Can I start working after receiving an EAD approval notice?

An approved notice for EAD is not enough to start the work. It is best to wait for the EAD card to start working.

14. What is the EAD number on my OPT card?

The EAD number on the OPT card is the 9-digit number which is the same as the Alien Registration Number.

15. Can I work for more than 40 hours per week on OPT EAD?

Candidates under Pre-completion part-time OPT can work for 20 hours per week. Candidates under Pre-completion full-time OPT can work for 20 hours per week but not more than 40 hours per week.

16. Can we work for 2 jobs under OPT EAD?

Yes, candidates can work for 2 different employers with an approved EAD.

Conclusion

The article intends to assist the candidates in the right process for applying for OPT visa in the USA. The deadlines specified step by step becomes important to be followed for the successful OPT EAD filing.

United OPT is dedicated to assisting OPT job seekers to get the best matching job opportunities in the USA within a limited time span. Get in touch with the professionals for your OPT job search today!