Opt for OPT

Opt for OPT ByJASON CHIANG

Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides a valuable opportunity for eligible international students on an F-1 visa to get real-world work experience directly related to their field of academic study. Through OPT, students get a chance to apply and supplement the skills they learned in school.

OPTis a popular option for Indian students to work in the United States after completing their studies at an American university. According to the Open Doors survey by the Institute of International Education, there were over 81,000 Indian students enrolled in Optional Practical the OPTprogram and nearly 200,000 Indians

Training offers studying in the United States in 2019-20. EducationUSA’s team of advisers at its temporary eight centers across India are a valuable employment for resource for students who are interested in seeking OPTin the United States. international EducationUSAis a U.S. Department of State students in the network that promotes U.S. higher education by offering comprehensive information about

United States to opportunities to study at accredited work in their postsecondary institutions throughout the United States. Postsecondary institutions include area of study. universities, colleges and vocational schools.

Boarding1Now/iStock/Getty Images What is OPT?

It is a form of training, typically paid, that directly relates to an F-1 category visa student’s program of study. F-1 students can either apply for OPTduring their program of study, which is known as pre-completion OPT, or after they finish their program of study, which is known as post-completion OPT.

There are three types of OPT:

OPT: For students engaged in postsecondary institutions or at conservatories, 12 months of Regular OPTis available for each higher level of study. For example, a student may have 12 months OPTfor a bachelor’s degree and another 12 months OPTfor a master’s degree.

Pre-Completion OPT: Any part of the OPTused before the student’s program end date. It may be part-time or full-time. Precompletion OPTis limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session but can be full-time during breaks and annual vacation.

Post-Completion OPT: Any portion of the OPTused after the student’s program end date. It must be full-time. 24-month (STEM) OPTExtension: This is a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT for qualifying students with approved science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees. Students approved for STEM OPTcan engage in training for an additional 24 months after finishing their regular postcompletion OPT. Students can participate in up to two separate STEM OPTextensions if they earn a second qualifying STEM degree at a higher education level.

How to apply for OPT

There are several key steps to apply for OPT: 1. F-1 students must request approval from their designated school official (DSO). 2. The DSO makes a recommendation in the

Student and Exchange Visitor Information

System (SEVIS) and by endorsing a student’s Form I-20—the Certificate of

Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. 3. The student must then file the Form I-765, which is the Application for Employment

Authorization, and supporting documents with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration

Services (USCIS). 4. If approved, USCIS will issue a Form I766—the Employment Authorization

Document. 5. Once the F-1 student receives authorization from USCIS, they can begin their Optional

Practical Training.

EducationUSAis the official source of information on U.S. higher education and helps Indian students navigate the process of applying to American universities through accurate, current and comprehensive information. EducationUSAadvisers guide students to identify their educational and professional priorities, make informed choices and become active decision-makers in the admissions process. The advisers equip the students with skills and resources to successfully transition to life at U.S campuses.

“Practical training opportunities are a hallmark of U.S. higher education that allow students to translate academic knowledge into employable skills and gain relevant work experience in their program(s) of study,” says Bhavvna Jolly, EducationUSAsenior program officer. “OPTis a stepping stone to building successful careers and provides the opportunity to students to gain a ‘return on investment’on their education—an important factor for Indian families in selecting universities abroad.”

Jason Chiang is a freelance writer based in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.

OPT for F-1 Students

https://bit.ly/uscis-opt

https://bit.ly/dhsstudyinthestates

EducationUSA India

https://educationusa.state. gov/country/in