Frequently asked questions about OPT

What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary post-graduation work authorization for F-1 visa holders (degree-seeking foreign students).

How long can a student work on OPT?

All F-1 students are eligible for 12 months of OPT, plus an additional 24-month extension if their degree program was in a STEM field.

Which degree programs count as STEM?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defines which degree programs qualify as STEM according to the program’s particular Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. For the complete list of CIP program codes which DHS has defined as STEM, see: studyinthestates.dhs.gov/eligible-cip-codes-for-the-stem-opt-extension

How many OPT workers are there currently in the United States?

A record number of foreign workers - approximately 276,500 - were participating in OPT in the United States in 2017, according to the Pew Research Center. More than half of these employees received their degrees in a STEM field and are therefore eligible for the 24-month STEM extension of their OPT period. OPT is widely considered to be the nation’s largest source of new temporary high-skilled immigrant workers.

What are the responsibilities of the employee/foreign worker while on OPT?

The F-1 visa holder (i.e. the foreign worker) must provide basic employment information to USCIS via their SEVP Online Portal, like: company name and address, direct supervisor’s name and contact information, as well as the start and end dates of the employment period.

What are the advantages of hiring foreign workers on OPT?

In addition to language skills and an intimate knowledge of foreign markets, workers on OPT often fill roles for which there are shortages of highly-skilled U.S. workers, particularly in STEM fields.

Do employers sponsor foreign workers on OPT?

OPT is an added benefit of the F-1 student visa. Therefore, foreign workers on OPT do not require sponsorship on behalf of the company/employer.

How involved do employers have to become in the OPT process?

• Initial 12-month OPT: Employer involvement in the initial 12-month OPT process is minimal. Foreign workers may occasionally request some sort of employment verification letter from the employer before foreign travel.
• 24-month STEM extension: If a foreign worker who studied STEM during his or her degree program wants to apply for a 24-month extension of the initial 12-month OPT period, then the employer will have some additional responsibilities in the OPT experience in terms of formulating a training plan, reporting changes to that training plan, reporting termination or departure of the employee, etc. See this website for a complete overview of employer STEM : studyinthestates.dhs.gov/employers-stem-opt-reporting-requirements

What are some of the disadvantages of hiring foreign workers on OPT?

The main disadvantage of hiring foreign workers on OPT is that their work period is generally temporary (either 12 or 36 months depending on the employee’s degree program). However, companies may choose to pursue a work visa application process (typically H-1B) if they are interested in retaining a foreign worker after his or her OPT period has ended. See uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-nonimmigrant-workers for more information.