Temporary Work Authorization Granted for Students
In the United States, the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program offers F-1 students an employment training benefit related to their major field of study. There are three types of OPT: pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, and STEM OPT.
Post-Completion OPT
Students can apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before their program end date. To be eligible, they must be in good F-1 status, have worked fewer than 12 months in curricular practical training, receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before beginning employment, work in a role related to their major field of study, and not accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment during the authorized period of OPT.
STEM OPT Extension
For students in STEM fields, there's a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT. To be eligible, they must hold active F-1 status during the application process, have completed a qualifying STEM degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral) from a U.S. SEVIS-certified and accredited school, ensure the CIP code of their degree’s major is on the official DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, be currently in a valid period of post-completion OPT (original 12-month OPT), have an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program with a valid IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN), have a bona fide employer-employee relationship, have a paid employment offer for at least 20 hours per week, not have exceeded the allowed 90 days of unemployment during the current OPT period, submit the STEM OPT application to USCIS up to 90 days before the OPT end date and before OPT expires, have an employer who completes and cooperates on the required Form I-983 training plan, and work must be in a role directly supervised and paid by the E-Verify employer (no third-party staffing).
Additional ongoing requirements during STEM OPT include submitting validation reports every 6 months and completing annual evaluations with the employer.
At Oberlin
At Oberlin, students typically use curricular practical training before graduation and OPT after graduation. They must work at least 20 hours per week to be considered full-time and avoid accumulating days of unemployment.
Regulations and Evidence
OPT is regulated by the Department of Homeland Security and requires students to apply for positions and update a designated school official. To show employment is related to their degree program, students should maintain evidence for each job, including position, duration, job title, contact information, and a description of the work. If it's not clear how the work is related to the student's degree, SEVP may ask for a signed letter from the hiring official, supervisor, or manager stating how the student's degree is related to the work performed.
The 12-month clock for OPT starts ticking on the start date of the EAD, regardless of whether the student is employed. F-1 visa students approved for OPT are responsible for providing up-to-date information regarding their address, employer’s name, address, and any periods of unemployment to a designated school official within 10 days of any change. The receipt of the EAD can take up to four months after the application.
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