Introduction

International students studying in the USA have the opportunity to work through OPT, or Optional Practical Training. OPT job in USA provides you with further training in your chosen field through paid employment that can be either part- or full-time. It sounds simple, right? But regrettably, American politics are more complicated than those in India. As you proceed with the process, it becomes progressively more difficult. Even if it is challenging, it finally happens. International students with F-1 status who have finished at least one full school year are eligible for OPT. Let’s read this blog post in depth to discover more about this.

What is OPT?

The federal OPT programme, which permits foreign students with an F-1 visa to work here, is managed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For up to 12 months, OPT students work in a position associated with their field of study, putting what they have learnt into practise. OPT is especially beneficial for students enrolling in STEM programmes (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Different Optional Practical Training options

You should be aware that there are several forms of optional practical training now that you are aware of them. The full list is provided below:

24-Month OPT Extension
Cap-Gap OPT
Pre-Completion OPT
Post-Completion OPT

Advantages Of A Practical Training Optional Programme

Let’s examine the advantages of this investment before learning how to begin with optional practical training for overseas students:

• Build your career: By working in the nation of your dreams, you can acquire the information and skills necessary to pursue a career in the area of interest. When thinking about beginning your profession from here, the international workplace is regarded as excellent.

• Work for renowned brands: All of the positions you will take in your ideal nation are with renowned brands. They are well known and have a lengthy history on the market. Your career will benefit greatly from good exposure at such companies.

• A permanent position may be available if your employer is pleased with your work performance, which would make it simpler for you to settle in the country. For such kids, the PR procedure would be less complicated.

When Should You Submit An OPT Application?

You must be unsure of when to submit an OPT application—before or after graduation? so that you can begin your OPT before the completion of your programme. Pre-completion OPT is what this is referred to as. You will still be forced to keep your study time to a maximum of 20 hours per week (and you cannot legally add 20 more hours to another on-campus employment to make up the difference).

For every two months of pre-completion OPT you complete, you will also lose one month from your authorised post-completion OPT period. You will have 10 months left to work full-time after you graduate if you are given 12 months of OPT and use 4 of those months to work part-time.

Information Needed For Optional Practical Training Documents

The papers that students need to submit in order to apply for OPT. Check the following boxes:

• Form I-20 approved by the DSO.
• Authentic passport.
• Application for Employment Authorization Form I-765.
• $380.00 in the form of a cheque or money order payable to the Department of Homeland Security of the United States.
• Two colour images with a white background that were taken within 30 days of your USCIS submission.

Suggested: Optional Practical Training (OPT) For F-1 Students

Can my OPT be extended?

Two situations that permit an OPT extension are as follows:

STEM extension: International students who majored in particular STEM fields might extend their OPT by two years. The Department of Homeland Security has authorised the programmes that are part of this extension, which cover topics like food science, data modelling, robotics technology, computational science, and environmental health.

Extension of the Cap-Gap Optional Practical Training programme: This programme enables qualified F-1 students to stay in the country during the “gap” between the expiration of their F-1 status and the beginning of their H-1B visa status. There is a “cap,” or a set number of H-1B visas each employer is permitted to hire in a fiscal year.

Conclusion

OPT has always been a practical choice for overseas students because it offers lots of options for careers. It’s time to apply for OPT now that you are aware of it. For all your OPT job requirement in the USA, OPT can help you locate the best positions there that match your qualifications, background, and skill sets. Check out www.optnation.com as soon as possible!