By Joseph Lavetsky, Esq.
Beacon Immigration PLLC
June 26, 2023
As an F-1 student building your career in the U.S., you’ll likely want to gain employment experience before you move on to the next step in your professional life. Fortunately, the U.S. immigration system offers several avenues for F-1 students to engage in practical training and employment. In this article, we will delve deeper into the various options available to F-1 students, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and STEM OPT.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT allows F-1 students to gain work experience directly related to their field of study. CPT is designed to complement your academic learning with practical hands-on experience, and can take various forms, including internships or externships that a sponsoring employer runs in concert with your university. The CPT must be considered necessary for your studies. Therefore, you can’t work in an unrelated field.
To obtain CPT, you must first secure an internship or other employment opportunity that corresponds with your academic program. Once you have a job offer, you’ll need to work with your school’s Designated School Official (DSO) to obtain work authorization. Your DSO will guide you through the process, including verifying the eligibility of your employment, ensuring that it aligns with your field of study, and assessing whether it meets the requirements for CPT. If approved, your DSO will issue a new Form I-20 authorizing you to work.
CPT can be undertaken during the academic year or during annual vacation periods, and the duration of the authorization can vary. While some programs allow part-time CPT throughout the year (up to 20 hours/week), others permit full-time CPT (40 hours/week) for a specific period.
CPT can be particularly helpful for recent graduates who were not selected in the H-1b lottery. Such students may be able to enter a graduate school program with F-1 status and immediately begin working in their field, a process known as Day 1 CPT. They can use this time to enter the H-1b lottery again the next year, or pursue another immigration avenue, such as green card sponsorship.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is another valuable option for F-1 students to gain experience in their field of study. OPT allows you to apply the knowledge and skills gained from your academic program in a real-world setting. It can be utilized during your studies (pre-completion OPT) or after completing your degree program (post-completion OPT).
To begin the OPT process, you must first request a recommendation from your DSO after completing one year of full-time study in your program. The DSO will assist you in completing and submitting the necessary forms to USCIS, including Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Once USCIS approves your application, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which grants you the legal right to work in the United States. Note that USCIS sometimes requires several months to process EAD applications, so you should apply earlier rather than later.
Pre-completion OPT is typically part-time, allowing you to engage in employment while continuing your studies. It offers flexibility in terms of work hours and can be undertaken during the academic year or vacation periods. Post-completion OPT, on the other hand, allows for full-time employment after completing your degree program. The maximum period for post-completion OPT is usually 12 months. However, if you have obtained a qualifying degree in a STEM field, you may be eligible for a 24-month extension through the STEM OPT program.
STEM OPT
STEM OPT is a valuable opportunity for F-1 students who have earned a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) to extend their employment authorization beyond the standard OPT period. This extension allows for an additional 24 months of work experience, providing you with more time to gain practical skills and enhance your professional development.
To qualify for STEM OPT, you must have completed a qualifying STEM degree program and secure employment with an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program. The job must offer a formal training program that is directly related to your STEM degree. Additionally, you and your employer must work together to complete Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, outlining the training objectives and learning opportunities you will undertake during the extension period. Your DSO will review the completed Form I-983 and recommend you to USCIS for STEM OPT.
Note that while working with STEM OPT, you must fulfill reporting obligations, including regular check-ins with your DSO and submitting updated employment information.
Build your Career
As an F-1 student, the ability to gain work experience while studying in the United States is a valuable opportunity to enhance your skills, expand your professional network, and increase your employability. By understanding the options available to you, such as CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT, you can make informed decisions that align with your career goals.
If you would like help applying for work authorization or exploring your immigration options, please get in touch with Beacon Immigration today: +1 845-288-2435 / beaconimmigrationlawyer@gmail.com.
Beacon Immigration PLLC is a law firm located in the Hudson Valley of New York at 6 Eliza Street, Suite 5, Beacon, NY 12508 (Dutchess County).
