7 mins
7 mins‘International work experience’ – Think of being able to add this to your resume!
Feeling good already? To gain that work experience from a popular destination like the U.S. makes it all the better! We'll tell you how this is possible.
The answer is OPT visa. (Well, it is not actually a visa. Watch the video and read more to find out.)
The majority of international students go to the U.S. under the F1-visa. If you would like to work in the U.S. while on a study visa, you need to have OPT or Optional Practical Training authorisation.
For many, studying abroad is not just about getting their degree from a coveted institution abroad. It is also about the experience. Understandably, most students would like to work for some time during or after their studies.
If you have questions about studying in the U.S. and working there, and needs more information, reach out to our counsellors. They’ll guide you in the right direction.
What is OPT?
The full form of OPT is Optional Practical Training. This program in the U.S allows degree and postgraduate students on an F1-visa to work in the U.S. It is your ticket to temporary employment and also an opportunity to experience a different work culture. A chance for you to get hands-on experience at a job related to your degree programme – there’s no reason why you should ignore it.
Eligibility - Who can apply for OPT
Here’s how you can be eligible for OPT employment:
- You are an international student with an F1-visa status
- You have been studying in an institution recognised by the government
- You have studied for at least a full year, on a full-time basis
- You are looking for a job in your major field of study
- You are in the U.S. while making the application
The subject you chose to study will not affect your eligibility. On the other hand, having a degree in STEM fields will only benefit you as you can stay employed, longer.
Can you work part-time, while studying?
Yes, you can. You should opt for Pre-completion OPT. (Based on when you decide to apply, there are two types of OPT; Pre-completion OPT and Post-completion OPT).
Pre-completion OPT
If you intend to work part-time while you study, you can apply for Pre-completion OPT. You can also work full-time when you don’t have classes. Just make sure you meet the following requirements:
- You are enrolled in an institution certified by the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and the SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Programme)
- You completed 1 full academic year on a full-time basis
Note that you needn’t have F-1 status during this one year; you can be on any other non-immigrant status to satisfy this requirement.
Also, do spend some time exploring the different ways to find a part-time job in the USA.
How and when to opt for Pre-completion OPT
Now comes the important question – how and when you should apply for your Optional Practical Training. It is important because you shouldn’t miss out on an opportunity just because you didn’t have the required clearance at the right time.
Here is some general information. Ever wondered how the governments keep track of the international students in their country? Well, the U.S. has SEVIS. It is a programme within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- When you enter the U.S., your details will be recorded in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System or the SEVIS. It is where your academic status will get recorded. Once you are eligible for OPT, your DSO (Designated School Official) will enter the recommendation for Pre-completion OPT in your SEVIS record.
- Only after this, can you apply for a Pre-completion OPT. You can apply up to 90 days before you complete 1 full academic year, which is a requirement for Pre-completion OPT. However, you will be allowed to start your Pre-completion OPT only once you complete 1 year.
- Along with this application, you should submit a Form I-765 and procure an EAD or Employment Authorisation Document. This is more like requesting permission to work in the U.S. Once you get the EAD card, you are legally eligible to work in the U.S.
- You will get a Social Security Number (SSN) card once your OPT is approved.
Can you work full-time after completing your study?
Yes, you can, and post-completion OPT is the answer. You can apply for Post-completion OPT to work part-time or full-time after completing your course.
How and when to opt for Post-completion OPT
When you are closest to completing a degree and you intend to work after that, you should start considering applying for OPT authorisation. There would be international student services available, and there will be people to guide you through the process. Keep in mind that thousands of students have gone through the same processes and you can do it too.
- For Post-completion OPT, you should make the application within 30 days of your DSO submitting the recommendation into your SEVIS record.
- The earliest you can apply is 90 days before completing your degree. But you shouldn’t be late. You have 60 days after completing your degree, to apply for Post-completion OPT.
- Submission of form I-765 and getting an EAD card is mandatory for working under Post-completion OPT authorisation too. It might take 3-5 months for the USCIS to issue the OPT EAD. So plan accordingly.
- Don’t forget that if you have a STEM degree, you can request a 24-month extension to your OPT duration. Just make sure you should apply before your current Optional Practical Training authorisation expires. The earliest you can apply is 90 days before the expiry date.
Where and how long can you work under OPT?
Getting a job under OPT authorisation is not a trivial matter. You cannot work in a restaurant or café under OPT authorisation. The job you select should strictly be related to your major field of study.
For example, it would be okay to work as a Fundraiser if you studied Environmental Studies or as a Marketing Specialist if you learned Advertising.
If you opt for Pre-completion OPT, you can work part-time for 20 hours or less per week during your college days. You can work full time when the institution is closed.
If you opt for Post-completion OPT, you can work for 20 hours or less per week, part-time or full-time.
Note that if you had opted for Pre-completion OPT, that amount of time will be deducted from your post-completion OPT period. The total should come up to 12 months. For example, if you worked for a total of 5 months during your Pre-completion OPT, you will be allowed to work for a total of 7 months as part of Post-completion OPT.
The U.S. gives more benefits to degree holders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths fields. If you have a degree in STEM fields in any of the designated degree courses, you can apply for a 2-year extension of your Post-completion Optional Practical Training. You will get to work in the U.S. for a total of 3 years if you get a degree in any of the accepted courses in the STEM field.
Animal Health, Horticultural Science, Soil Chemistry and Physics, Environmental Studies, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Engineering Technology, Petroleum Technology, Marine Sciences, Developmental and Child Psychology, Veterinary Anatomy and Medical Informatics and only some of the hundreds of courses listed in the STEM Designated Degree Program List.
A year or more of international work experience is a big deal. It adds immense value to your resume. You will also get to work with people from different parts of the world. How enriching is that!
The benefits of studying in the U.S. are multi-fold. Talk to our counsellors to understand more about the universities you can go to and the courses available.
What happens once you complete your Bachelor’s but are going for your Master’s?
If you complete your Bachelor’s degree and you are planning to join your Master’s programme right away, you will not be able to stay employed under Optional Practical Training. Your EAD will be terminated.
Well, here’s what some students do. They complete their degree and work for a year before joining the Master’s course. Once they complete the Master’s course, they’ll get another OPT authorisation period.
Bear in mind that you should not try to get work on a terminated EAD. The country has pretty stringent rules concerning these. Working without authorisation will get you in legal troubles; get removed from the country and barred from re-entry.
Please also keep in mind that OPT is not a pathway to the United States citizenship or permanent residency in the U.S.
Latest news about OPT
Due to the pandemic and resulting confusions, there was a delay in processing Optional Practical Training applications. However, the USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) made it clear that the students will be granted 14 months from the date of acceptance of form I-765 to complete 12 months of OPT. Usually, students get 14 months from the date of graduation to complete 12 months of training. This is applicable for applications submitted between 1 October 2020 and 1 May 2021.
Citing the OpenDoors survey, TOI reports that more than 80,000 Indian students enrolled for the OPT programme in the year 2020.
Are you interested in studying in the USA? As per the OpenDoors Annual Release of 2020, some of the popular universities that has the most number of international students are:
Northeastern University, Boston
The University of Southern California
The University of Illinois, Champaign
There are a large number of institutions in the U.S. offering varied courses for you to choose from. If you have questions about planning your study abroad journey, speak to our counsellors.
Before you go, here are some quick info about post-study work at popular destinations abroad:
Post-study work in different destinations
Different destinations have different rules around allowing international students to work in their country.
Canada: In Canada, international students who graduate from a Designated Learning Institution can work for up to 3 years. You need a Post-Graduation Work Permit for this purpose.
Australia: Australia offers the opportunity for international students with a bachelor’s or master’s degree to work for up to 4 years. They call it PSW or Post-Study Work and you should have a 485-post-study work stream visa to be eligible to work in Australia. Your subject of study will not determine the work you opt to do.
New Zealand: New Zealand offers a post-study work visa that can last for up to three years depending on your qualification and where you studied.
The UK: The UK offers the graduate route, that grants a two-year post-study work visa for international students.
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