Can I take courses while on OPT?

Studying while on OPT is generally prohibited. Enrolling full-time, taking classes at a higher educational level, or taking courses at another institution will terminate your employment authorization, even if the dates on your EAD are still valid.

Can OPT work for free?

Pre-completion OPT can be paid or unpaid training related to your major field of study. You may work for multiple employers (including short-term gigs, self-employment, contract work, or work for hire) as long as your cumulative number of hours is within your authorized limit.

Does OPT cost money?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment authorization benefit for F-1 students who have been maintaining F-1 status in the U.S. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reviews and approves OPT applications. The current filling fee is $410 and an average 90 – 120 day processing time.

Can I take part time classes while on OPT?

If you are authorized to participate in pre-completion OPT, you may work part time (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session. You may work full time when school is not in session. If you are authorized for post-completion OPT, you may work part time (20 hours or less per week) or full time.

When to apply for Optional Practical Training ( OPT )?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion).

Do you have to be an F-1 student to take opt?

All OPT must be directly related to your major area of study. If you are an F-1 student, you may be eligible to participate in OPT in two different ways:

What happens to your opt if you go to another school?

If you begin study at another education level, your OPT authorization is terminated with the notification of a new degree program in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) or with a transfer of your SEVIS record to another institution. You are supposed to work full time in your major field of study while on OPT.

Do you have to have an employer to get an opt?

While students are not required to have an employer when OPT is requested in SEVIS, students authorized for post-completion OPT are expected to be employed. A student on post-completion OPT can be unemployed for a total of 90 days. A student whose record lacks employer information is considered unemployed.