What is OPT (Optional Practical Training)?
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) refers to impermanent employment relating to your field of study
- Generally you get 12 months of employment on basis of EAD(Employment Authorization Document)
Who is Eligible for OPT?
- One has to be enrolled in US accredited educational institution for at least one year
- Should be physically present in United States
- Maintain valid F-1 status at the time of application
- Intend to work or volunteer in a professional development opportunity directly related to the major field of study.
If you are confusing for what is OPT? USCIS OPT Processing Time. Who is Eligible for OPT? How To Apply? Don’t Worry! OPTnation shared the blog for an overview of OPT for international students which will solve the misconception of any F1 OPT Students.
Read more: Optional Practical Training : OPT for International Students
How to Apply?
Generally, you must:
- Request that your designated school official (DSO) at your academic institution recommend the OPT.
- Your DSO will make the guidance by endorsing your Form I‑20, Certification of Eligibility for Non immigrant Student Status, and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- Properly file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS, accompanied by the required fee and the supporting documentation as described in the form instructions.
USCIS OPT Processing Time
- From point of approval, USCIS says it can take 30 days beyond to receive your EAD card
- Most cards arrive within 7-10 days after approval.
- In total, it is likely for your OPT application to take 90-120 days.
| OPT | CPT |
| OPT is a 12-month work authorization provided to international students related to their field of study. | International students have the benefit of working on CPT which has to be directly related to their core subjects. |
| OPT can be completed before or after graduation. | CPT must be completed before graduation. |
| To be eligible for the OPT; the students must be pursuing the studies for minimum one year. | After the completion of the full OPT period, the students are not eligible to apply for the CPT. |
| In order to receive OPT authorization, students do not require any employment or job offer. | While applying for CPT Jobs in USA students require a job or an employment offer. |
| OPT has two parts. The pre-completion OPT is the job done while the student is studying and the post-completion opt is the OPT work authorization after completing graduation. | CPT is a total of 12 months and it can be either full-time or part-time. |
| OPT students need not work continuously for the 12 months, they can work in breaks and stops. There is also a possibility of the extension of the OPT period. | CPT requires students to work for the 12 months but once they have used the full CPT period, you lose your eligibility for OPT. |
| The OPT work can be part-time as well as full time for the eligible students. | The work can be done part-time as well as full time for the CPT students. |
| The OPT Work the student’s employment experience must be related to their field of graduation but not necessarily the academic curriculum and you do not need to earn course credit. | To work for CPT, the employer has to have a direct effect on employment. CPT must be required by your major and if it is not, CPT work must receive course credit and would directly affect the curricular credit of the student. |
| Students on OPT have the freedom to work with any employer. They can work with any company across the USA. | A student who is on CPT is not allowed with every employer but under only those who are on SEVP. |
| OPT is not employer specific and allows work, not an internship or co-op. | CPT is part of your major that allows students to work in a paid or unpaid internship, practicum, or cooperative (co-op) education program. |
International Students Guide to Studying in the U.S 