- Talk to your DSO about your plans to apply for OPT
- Submit a completed I-20 with the OPT recommendation to USCIS
- Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee
- Receive your EAD card from USCIS
- Find a job
- Start working!
Full Answer
How and when to apply for opt?
Requirements for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- OPT must relate to your major or course of study.
- You can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, (i.e. ...
- You must apply for work authorization by electronically filing a Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with U.S. ...
- Wait to start work until the start date and after you receive your EAD.
Which visa should I apply for?
- Transit visa
- Tourism visa
- Visa for Visiting Family or Friends
- Business visa
- Visa for Culture and Sport activities
- Visa for Official Visits
- Study visa
- Visa for Medical Reasons
How early should I apply for the visa?
This is because it can take up to six weeks to get an appointment at the US Embassy for a visa. The answer is - as early as possible. And so it is okay to apply for a visa 4–5 months before the intended day of travel. Most consular officers appreciate this and they may ask you for the reason for applying so early.
How long is an opt visa good for?
The maximum amount of time you can be on an OPT is 12 months. This does not change whether you are doing a pre completion or post completion OPT. After 12 months, your OPT and visa are not valid anymore. This is only valid for when you find a job.
How can I get OPT visa?
Applying for OPTRequest that your designated school official (DSO) at your academic institution recommend the OPT. ... Properly file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS, accompanied by the required fee and the supporting documentation as described in the form instructions.
How much does it cost to apply for OPT?
Applying for OPT isn't cheap. Applicants must pay a $410 fee to file the employment authorization application with the government, according to the USCIS website. A biometrics fee of $85 also applies to certain students, while others may be exempt, per USCIS.
When can I apply for OPT visa?
You can apply for OPT from 90 days before your end date, until 60 days after your end date. USCIS must receipt (not receive) your application no later than 60 days after your I-20 end date.
What is the process for OPT?
First you must apply to BIO for an OPT recommendation on your I-20. Then you must submit an OPT application packet, including a signed copy of your OPT I-20, to USCIS. You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before and up to 60 days after your expected program completion date*.
How long does OPT approval take?
According to the USCIS, the processing period for an OPT EAD card could last up to 30 days from the time of acceptance. Nevertheless, a majority of cards arrive within 7–10 days. An OPT application is expected to take 90–120 days in total.
Can I apply for OPT without a job?
Answer: No, you do not need a job offer before applying for OPT. I repeat, you do not need a job offer before applying for OPT. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an F-1 work benefit that authorizes students to work in the U.S. for up to 12-months to gain practical work experience in their field of study.
Is it hard to get OPT?
Finding OPT jobs are difficult if the student is not aware of their field and the opportunities that are available for their OPT period. The first step is therefore to know the field of study and the scope for students applying through many degrees or programs. Research is the sole of whole job hunting in the USA.
Can I stay in US while waiting for OPT?
Yes, as long as you filed for OPT before the end of your grace period, you can stay in the U.S. until your application has been processed, even if that goes beyond the 60 day grace period.
Does OPT visa need sponsorship?
OPT is a type of F-1 off campus work authorization for degree-seeking students who wish to gain experience in jobs directly related to their major area of study. Other Characteristics of OPT: No employer sponsorship needed. Students must be enrolled for one year before applying for OPT.
Is OPT same as H-1B?
While OPT is a benefit of F-1 status that allows students to work for one year (possibly longer if the student is eligible for an extension), H-1B is a separate nonimmigrant classification specifically for employment.
What documents are required for OPT?
Your OPT I-20 request packet must include the following documents:OPT Online Workshop Completion Email.OPT recommendation letter from academic advisor or graduate program coordinator. ... Copy of Most Recent Form I-94.Photocopy of your current I-20 form, pages 1 and 2 (do not include documents of any F-2 dependents)More items...
How long is OPT valid?
OPT visa validity: How long does it last? Pre-completion and post-completion OPTs are valid for a maximum of 12 months, with a 24-month extension available to STEM students, and must be undertaken within 14 months after you've received your degree.
How much do you pay for OPT extension?
$410.00FILING FEE PAYMENT OF $410.00 (See USCIS guidelines for paying fees). TWO (2) PHOTOGRAPHS. These must meet the requirements outlined on page 20 of USCIS's Instructions for Form I-765.
How long does it take for OPT to be approved 2022?
about 90-120 daysProcessing times vary greatly, but you should expect USCIS to take about 90-120 days to approve your STEM OPT Extension application.
Can I stay in U.S. while waiting for OPT?
Yes, as long as you filed for OPT before the end of your grace period, you can stay in the U.S. until your application has been processed, even if that goes beyond the 60 day grace period.
What happens if I apply for OPT but don't graduate?
If you have applied for the OPT, in other words, if the OPT application was submitted/shipped to USCIS AND before your OPT is approved, you can withdraw the OPT. In this case, you cannot get the application fee back and re-apply for OPT when you meet all the graduation requirements (You will need to pay the fee again).
When to apply for OPT?
Apply after your DSO enters their recommendation on your SEVIS record, and as early as 90 days before you finish a whole academic year (granted that you don’t begin OPT until after the first year has finished)¹
What are the OPT requirements?
Luckily, there aren’t too many OPT requirements. To be eligible for an OPT visa, all you’ll need is to:
What are the OPT types?
If you’re on an F1 Student Visa, you can apply for two different types of OPT programs:
What is an OPT program?
OPT for international students is a great way for you to continue living and working in the US, while increasing your experience in your field of study. You can apply for the OPT program during your studies, which is known as pre-completion OPT, or after them, which is known as post-completion OPT.¹.
How long do you have to be on CPT to apply for OPT?
Have completed at least one full academic year to begin OPT, and be a maximum of 90 days away from completion to apply for OPT.
How long does it take to get an I-765?
You may also need to pay a biometric services fee, depending on your circumstances. Once you’ve done that, it can take anywhere between 1.5 to 13 months for Form I-765 to be processed.⁴. If you’re applying to be an F-1 student, you’ll have to pay the I-109 SEVIS fee of $350.
What is an F visa?
An F-1 visa is for international students whose study results in a degree, diploma or certificate from an academic institution or language school. An M-1 visa, on the other hand, is for international students that are studying vocational, non-academic subjects.
What form do employers need to complete for STEM OPT?
As part of the STEM OPT extension, employers must complete the appropriate parts of Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students. In this form, employers attest that: They have enough resources and trained personnel available to appropriately train the student;
What degree do you need to get into STEM OPT?
Have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a school that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency and is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) at the time you submit your STEM OPT extension application.
What is a site visit for STEM OPT?
As noted above, DHS, at its discretion, may conduct a site visit of any STEM OPT employer to ensure that the employer possesses and maintains the ability and resources to provide structured and guided work-based learning experiences consistent with the Form I-983. See 8 C.F.R. 214.2 (f) (10) (ii) (C) (11). Consistent with this provision, during a site visit, DHS may verify that the employer that signs the Form I-983 is the same entity that provides the practical training experience to the student and ensure compliance. For ICE to effectively conduct these site visits as part of its oversight responsibilities, it is important that employers report any change in a student’s employment address. As indicated above, the employer and student must report such a material change by submitting a modified Form I-983 to the DSO at the earliest available opportunity.
How to report material changes of STEM OPT student?
Report material changes of the STEM OPT student’s employment by submitting a modified Form I-983 to the DSO at the earliest available opportunity.
When will USCIS extend the I-765?
ALERT: On Feb. 26, 2021, USCIS extended flexibilities to certain foreign students affected by delayed receipt notices for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. These flexibilities apply only to applications received on or after Oct. 1, 2020, through May 1, 2021, inclusive. Read more here: USCIS Extends Flexibilities to Certain Applicants Filing Form I-765 for OPT .
How long does it take to get an extension for F-1?
Certain F-1 students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). Close All Open All.
Can an employer assign STEM OPT training to a third party?
Moreover, a STEM OPT employer may not assign, or otherwise delegate, its training responsibilities to a non-employer third party (e.g., a client/customer of the employer, employees of the client/customer, or contractors of the client/customer).
What is OPT?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F1 students is a chance to expand one’s knowledge field. It provides an opportunity to apply the understanding of the course and its implications in real life and explore its effects. This training program allows international students to work in the US for up to a certain period.
What is OPT in college?
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) allows certain students to opt for Optional Practical Training (OPT), but only after successful completion of the first academic year in the US. It is also restricted to those colleges or programs or courses, which are duly registered with Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP).
How long does it take for DSO to process?
DSO will provide a signed form after checking eligibility. Post your application as early as possible to USCIS. It takes approximately 3-5 months of processing by USCIS before the student receives confirmation. The application can also be submitted using the e-filling option offered by USCIS.
How long is STEM OPT?
Students enrolled in STEM OPT are eligible for 24 months extension in comparison to non-STEM degree students. Non-STEM degree students are eligible for 12 months OPT after successful completion of OPT. The student must be physically present in the US when USCIS receives the application.
How long does it take for USCIS to send a receipt of I-797C?
After a few days, USCIS sends a mail with a receipt of the I-797C Notice of Action. Keep this receipt handy, for all future verifications.
