Studying in the United States offers a wealth of opportunities for global students. One major benefit is the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Now, you’ll be wondering what it means. Right! Let’s understand about this in this article.
OPT allows you to gain hands on experience in your field. So, if you’re considering a US study, it’s important to consult experts to navigate the process. It is because you need to learn about the program to enjoy its benefits. So, the study abroad consultants in India can help you with the process. Further, this article will explain everything you need to know about OPT. So let’s get started.
What Is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
The OPT program is available for all global students on an F-1 visa in the US. It helps them gain work experience related to their degree for 12 to 24 months. Eligible students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT. However, they can do it before or after their studies.
Furthermore, you must keep in mind that you need authorization from USCIS. It stands for US Citizenship and Immigration Services. So, you must do it before you start working. Moreover, you can’t begin to work until you receive your EAD card. You will learn more about this in the upcoming article. So, you must read on to gain the following insights. Let’s know about the eligibility for the US study OPT program.
Eligibility for OPT
To be eligible for an OPT training, you must meet several eligibility criteria:
· You must hold a valid F-1 visa.
· You should be enrolled full-time in an academic course for 1 year at an accredited US institution.
· You must have an accredited degree program and be SEVP-certified at a US institution of higher education.
· You plan to work in an industry related to your enrolled degree program. (However, you must remember a job offer letter is not required to apply for OPT training)
· You have not used your CPT of 12 months or full-time.
These are the criteria for eligibility. The next step is to fill out the required documents to apply for OPT training in the US. So, let’s find out in the next sub-section!
Required Documents for OPT
When applying for OPT, you’ll need to gather several essential documents. You need them before you submit your application. However, the required papers might vary, but they typically include:
· Your completed Form I-765. This is an application for employment authorization.
· The copies of your Form I-20 (previous and current)
· 2 passport-sized photographs
· Current and updated passport identification page copy
· A printout of the Form I-94 (arrival or departure record)
· Any previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD) (if applicable) copies
· Academic transcript or degree completion evidence (if received) copies
· Copy of stamped F-1 visa on your passport
· Money order of your OPT application fee
These are the following vital documents. In the next section, you will study the two types of OPT programs. However, there are mainly 2 more OPT training programs available for global students. They are STEM OPT Extension and Cap-Gap OPT Extension. The former extension allows you to gain additional work experience in your field. For now, let’s read more about the two types of US study OPT programs in detail!
Types of OPT
As an F-1 visa holder, you can be eligible to apply for an OPT program in 2 different ways. These are two primary types. Thus, understanding these options will help you decide which is best for you.
Pre-Completion OPT
After one year in a full-time course at a college, you can apply for a pre-completion program. For this, your college must be certified by the SEVP. It is a Student and Exchange Visitor Program. It will only allow you with an F-1 visa to participate in this training. So, once you get your pre-completion OPT, you can work up to 20 hours a week while your classes are running. Further, you can work full-time during breaks or vacations.
Post-Completion OPT
After graduation, you can apply for post-completion OPT. Thus, with it, you can work part-time for at least 20 hours a week. However, there are some rules about pre-completion OPT that you should know.
· If you’ve had part-time pre-completion OPT for one year, your full-time OPT time will be reduced by 6 months. This means you can only work full-time for 6 months post-completion OPT.
· If you had one year of full-time pre-completion OPT (40 hours a week), your total OPT time will be reduced by one year. So, you will have no remaining time for post-completion OPT at the same education level.
These are the types of OPT programs. You can refer to it as per your specific needs. However, for more information, you can visit Gradding.com. They are the best study abroad consultants in India. The experts will guide you well on the following program. For now, let’s move to the benefits section.
Advantages of OPT
The US study OPT program is an outstanding option for you if you are seeking education in the USA. Well, you can find that out in the next section. Thus, you must read the benefits of opting for an OPT in the States:
Gain Work Experience
With OPT, you can work in the US after graduation for a set period. Thus, this will help you gain valuable work experience in your field of study. Further, it is easier for you to apply to many companies in the US right after you graduate.
Financial Stability
You can work within the USA and support yourself financially without a US work visa. Yes, you read right. The OPT allows you to become economically stable. Further, it will even help you pay your education loan.
Extend Stay in the Country
OPT allows you to stay in the nation and find a job after graduation. Hence, you can stay in the USA for an additional 12 to 36 months. Thus, this will help you to gain valuable work experience. You can even explore different career paths for a satisfactory job in the future.
Link to H-1B Visa
With OPT, you can even apply for H-1B visa. It is a non-immigrant visa. In this, a US employer can hire any foreign worker in any speciality occupation. So, after completing your degree, you can work in a field related to your study program. Thus, you can gain the necessary work experience and apply for an H-1B visa.
These are the following perks of the OPT program.
Conclusion
The Optional Practical Training (OPT) plan will help you gain work experience in the US. Further, it can improve your finances and allow you to stay in the Country longer. However, to benefit from OPT, you must take assistance from a study abroad agency. Thus, you must get guidance on eligibility rules and the documents needed. Besides, you need to choose pre-completion or post-completion OPT as per your choice. This program is a key part of your career path. So, you must use the opportunities it offers to build a successful future for yourself in your field.
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