Introduction

International students on F1 Visa in the US have an option to get work authorization on OPT visa after they graduate. The OPT EAD visa also known as Optional Practical Training Employment Authorization Document stands a one-time chance to give your career a kick start in the US. Therefore, following the right pattern becomes important.

 

What is OPT? Full form for OPT, Meaning:

OPT stands for Optional Practical Training. 

• Optional means → It is not mandatory. 
• Practical means → It is related to the degree you earned at the university.
• Training means → It helps you deepen and expand your knowledge in your field.

Temporary work authorization with respect to the field of study is known as OPT. 

 

Eligibility for OPT.

F1 students who are in good academic standing and have been considered to be enrolled full-time for at least one academic year become eligible to apply for OPT.

[Academic Year = Fall Semester + Spring Semester]

You can have up to 12 months of OPT per degree level. It means that, as long as you are going to a higher degree level, you can do your OPT after your bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D.

There are mainly 3 types of OPT:

• Pre-completion → Before you finish your degree.
• Post-completion → After you finish your degree.
• An optional extension for eligible STEM majors.

Pre-completion OPT

The pre-completion OPT program allows you to work in your field of study before you complete your program. It's rarely used since it’s usually only recommended for students who have already used all of their CPT and would like to work in their field before their program is completed. There are some rules and limitations for pre-completion OPT, which are as follows:

1. Pre-completion OPT requires full-time enrollment during every long semester. [Summer enrollment is not required unless it is your final semester]
2. The hours of employment during pre-completion OPT are usually limited to 20 or less each week while school is in session. [The option of full-time pre-completion OPT is available during official school breaks and summer semesters, except when it is your final semester.] Full-time employment may also be allowed if you only enroll in thesis dissertation hours during your pre-completion OPT period. 
3. There are no unemployment rules for pre-completion OPT, which means the 90-day unemployment rule does not apply to pre-completion OPT.
4. If you have part-time Pre-completion OPT, It takes away time from your 12 months of post-completion OPT at a rate of 50%. If you receive four months of pre-completion OPT, you lose two months of post-completion OPT. 
5. OPT is a benefit that requires approval from the USCIC which is a 90-day process from the date USCIS receives your application before approval. When it’s approved, you will receive a work authorization card.

 

The following steps will assist you in getting your OPT. 

The first step in getting OPT is to apply for an OPT I-20 from the Office of International education. The OIE front desk needs a few documents from you. [Make sure each detail is filled correctly.]1st you have to submit an original form I-765. [Make sure you type the details in the form on behalf of writing by hand]. There are some important questions in Form E-175 that you need to keep in mind while filling the form which is as follows.

• In the 1st question make sure to have your name clearly mentioned. If your first name is too close to your middle name and last name. There is a possibility that it will appear incorrectly on your OPT card.
• In the 3rd question leave your address blank. OIE will fill this space. 
• In the 11th question select “YES” if you ever applied for work authorization from USCIS. For example Past OPT or economic hardship. The USCIS office will be the first three letters of your OPT EAD card number and the dates will be printed on your OPT EAD. If you have never applied for work authorization from USCIS, select "NO". 
• In the 16th question write [C] [3] [B] for Post-Completion OPT.

When you filled in all the details properly, print the I-765 and sign it in the correct place. After this process, you will need UTA’s OPT application form.

1. First, this form requires you to choose your OPT start date.
2. Second, you will need to read and sign the OPT status maintenance form. 
3. Third, your academic advisor will need to fill out the completion of the program form.

Submit confirmation of fee payment, OPT case management fee. After you submit your application to the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE), an advisor will look over everything and confirm that you are eligible for OPT. If you are eligible. OIE will shorten your I-20 expiration date to show the actual completion date. Then Office of International Education will print a new I-20 for you that includes the recommended OPT dates and you will receive an email that your I-20 is ready. When you have your I-20 it’s time to get everything ready to mail your application to USCIS. 

Choose your OPT start date.

Do you know that you can request a specific start date for your OPT?

There are several steps to consider in choosing the start date that is right for you.

• The first step in choosing your start date is to find out your program completion date. 

Your program completion date is the day you fulfill all the course requirements for your degree [this is not the same as graduation day] For example it could be the last day of final exams in your final semester or if you are a graduate student defending a thesis or dissertation, it could be your defense date. OIE usually sets a standard completion date for each semester.

• Pick your OPT start date.

After you determine your completion date. Pick a date to start your OPT. You can request for your OPT to begin on any day within 60 days after your completion date. So, if you complete your program on May 15th, you can request any day between May 16th and July 14th to start your OPT.

So, how do you know which day to choose?

If you want to start working as soon as possible, you have to choose the day after you complete your program. On the other hand, if you are concerned about finding a job, or if you just want a short break before starting work. You have to choose a later start date. Remember that it takes USCIS about 90 Days to process your application from the date they receive it. So if you want to receive the start date you requested, you will need to apply early. If USCIS processes your application after your requested start date, you will not receive the date requested. Instead, you will receive the date they approved your request. The expiration date on your OPT card will be 12 months from the start date. The latest possible expiration date is 14 months from your program completion date.

• Mail your OPT Application to USCIS.

When you receive your OPT I-20 from OIE, It’s time to mail your application to USCIS. [USCIS must receive your application before the end of your 60-day grace period and within 30 days from the date of issuance of your OPT I-20.]

In your USCIS application, you must include the following information.

1. 2 Passport-style photos of yourself. (2 X 2 inches with your name and I-94 number written lightly on the back using a pencil.
2. A cheque for $410 is payable to the US Department of homeland security. 
3. Original I-765 form. (Paper clip the photos and the check to your I-765.)
4. Provide a copy of your OPT I-20 (must be older than 30 days old).
5. Copy of your passport ID page. (Showing your photo and passport expiration date)
6. Copy of your I-94. [The I-94 confirms your presence in the USA. (You can’t apply for OPT from outside of the country.)]
7. CPT Employment history page from SEVIS ( OIE will provide this if applicable)
8. If you have other work authorization cards previously, be sure to include copies of them.
9. If you had a change of students, include a copy of your approval notice.
10. Finally, you can choose to receive electronic notifications about your OPT application. (To choose this option, complete form G-1145 and attach it to your I-765)
11. It’s a good idea to make a copy of the completed application for your personal records.

Now it’s time to double-check everything and mail your application to USCIS. [MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS RIGHT BEFORE YOU MAIL YOUR APPLICATION.]

• When USCIS receives your application they will mail you a receipt notice.
• This usually happens 2-3 weeks after your mail your application.
• The receipt notice will have the tracking number for your application.
• You can track your application online at the USCIS portal.
• Usually, it takes 60-90 days for USCIS to approve an OPT application and mail your work authorization card (EAD card).

When you receive the card you can start working from the start date printed on the card. After you receive your EAD card when you search for your desired OPT jobs for the best results contact My Opt Jobs to get your desired OPT jobs. Our different services will help you to get your desired OPT job. 

 

FAQS

Q-1. What is the eligibility for OPT?

Ans.    A student must: (1) have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year by the requested start date of OPT, (2) maintain valid F-1 status at the time of application, and (3) not have used OPT at the same degree level before.

Q-2. How many times I can use my OPT?

Ans.  You can use OPT ones as per higher degree, even if you have multiple degrees per level. (e.g., OPT for a Bachelor's degree and then OPT for a Master's degree or Ph.D.).

Q-3. For how long time I can stay unemployed on OPT?

Ans. A student on post-completion OPT may be unemployed for up to 90 days after completing the program. A 90-day period begins counting from the date you were approved for OPT/EAD (not the recommended start date or the end date on your I-20).

Q-4. How many hours should I work on OPT?

Ans. To maintain legal F-1 OPT status, you must work a minimum of 20 hours per week, paid or unpaid. During this period of employment, you should be able to provide evidence that you worked at least 20 hours per week, obtained from your employer.

Q-5. Is it possible to change my start date while my application for OPT is pending?

Ans. No. You can only change the start date up until your mail the application to USCIS before your new I-20 is issued.

Q-6. Does OPT require sponsorship?

Ans.  No, there is no need for employer sponsorship when students are on OPT. Students must be enrolled for 1 year before applying for OPT.

Q-7. Do I have options if I can't have a job during OPT?

Ans.  If you can't find a job within 90 days of the start of your OPT, then you must leave the US immediately or change to another status in the US. Remember that the 90 days of unemployment is for the entire OPT period.