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 Optional Practical Training:
A student may work in the United States using the "practical training" option. There are two types of practical training: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is required by the course of study, and Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is work that is related to the subject studied.
For CPT a job offer letter is required. This type of training is defined to be alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship. Students who have been granted permission for CPT may work up to 20 hours during the school year, and full time during vacations and holidays. OPT can be used either during the academic program or after completion of the program. Full-time OPT, after completion of the academic program, enables the recent graduate to work for up to a year in a job related to the field of study.
OPT is available for students who have been full time students for at least one academic year. It is also important to note that OPT is available to a related course of study. However, an F-1 student must request OPT before the end of one full academic year. Furthermore, students will qualify for a new 12 months of OPT based upon a new degree level. For example, a student who applies for OPT before graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering degree is eligible again to apply for OPT just prior to completing Master of Engineering degree.
Students have 60 days after expiration of OPT to leave the country or pursue another option. Note that these 60 days allow students to live in the U.S. but no work authorization is permitted. However, as many of our clients, majority of students receive a job offer and their respective employers file for H-1B employment. Yet, many students pursue higher degrees in the United States.
How We Can Help You:
OPT and CPT are benefits that the Designated School Official (DSO) at your school can assist you with; however, the Firm has an abundance of experience in assisting clients with not only advising students when complications arise with benefit applications requested from the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services. Additionally, the Firm assists students in longer-range planning when the students' intention is to remain on a more permanent basis in the U.S., consistent with options that include employment in a variety of occupations, as well as entrepreneurial self-employment, etc.
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