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Employment and the F-1 Student Visa: Optional Practical Training

After studying for at least nine months full-time, international students with F-1 visa status may elect to begin Optional Practical Training (OPT), both to learn more about their future field and to earn money while studying abroad. While working an on-campus part-time job can be fulfilling, participating in optional practical training outside of your school's program may provide you with more future job opportunities and may better hold your interest.

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)? Very simply, it is off-campus employment that is directly related to your major field of study. If you are currently in school, you may work for 20 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week while class is not in session. If you have just graduated, you may work 40 hours per week for up to 14 months after receiving your degree.

Here are a few quick facts about Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 visa holders:

  • You must have F-1 student visa status.
  • You must apply for OPT after at least nine months of training but before you finish your course requirements for graduation.
  • You must receive authorization from both U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USICS) and your school's International Student Office before beginning OPT.
  • You do not have to have a training opportunity lined up before applying for your employment authorization documents.
  • You may engage in OPT for a maximum of 12 months of full-time training.
  • You may not engage in OPT after 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
  • You may participate in OPT either while you take classes or for the 14 months after you have graduated from your program.

If you have questions about securing F-1 student visa status, about Optional Practical Training (OPT), or about employment opportunities for international students in the United States, consider speaking to a San Francisco immigration attorney about your legal issues. Call the Law Offices of Vaughan de Kirby for more information.