F-1 OPT

Opportunity for international students to work for any employer, if the training relates to the student’s major course of study

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Qualifications

• Optional Practical Training (OPT) follows completion of all degree course requirements or course of study.
• Twelve (12) months of OPT are allowed for each higher educational level. Cannot get OPT for each subsequent degree at the same level.
• Student must request OPT and apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS within the 90-day period prior to the degree completion or within 60 days following program end date. Student cannot begin working until they have the EAD in hand.
• OPT must be completed within 14 months of graduation.
• If student’s OPT is due to expire before an approved change of status to H-1B, OPT and employment authorization will automatically be extended to September 30th of the calendar year.

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Timeline

• The student must request OPT and apply for the EAD from USCIS as early as possible within the 90-day period prior to degree completion or within 60 days of the program ending. USCIS can take up to 2-3 months to approve and issue the EAD, and the student cannot work until they have the EAD in hand. Premium Processing is not available.