OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a temporary off-campus work permit granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to students holding F-1 student visas. It is divided into Pre-Completion OPT, applied for before graduation, and Post-Completion OPT, applied for after graduation.
Pre-Completion OPT
To apply for pre-graduation OPT, you must have completed at least one academic year of university. The OPT internship must be related to your field of study. You can only work part-time on campus during the semester, again with a maximum of 20 hours per week. Full-time work is permitted during the non-semester period.
Post-Completion OPT
Post-graduation OPT must be applied for 90 days before degree completion or within 60 days after degree completion, and the duration of OPT is related to the major studied. For example, the OPT period for general majors is 12 months, while STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) majors can apply for an extension of 24 months, for a total of 36 months.
Success Cases
Litz student Marcus worked in the United States for three years after graduating from UC Berkeley through OPT. After three years of work, Marcus’s savings are now enough to cover the expenses for his next four years of pursuing a PhD. When Lais followed up with Marcus and asked why he wanted to work before continuing his studies, he said, “Because I don’t want to always ask my family for money; I want to achieve this through my own efforts.”
Harry is a student who enrolled with us in 2021. He initially completed his studies at a university in the UK and sought our assistance to continue applying for a master’s program. Ultimately, he applied to Columbia University to study Risk Management through our Lais Elite Program and is currently working as an investment banker in the United States.
During our follow-up, we asked him about his thoughts on studying in the two countries. He stated that the learning environment in the United States allows for course selection, giving him the opportunity to meet many different people. Regarding the changes he experienced while in the U.S., he mentioned that he has become more confident in sharing his thoughts, as teachers in the U.S. encourage students to participate more. Finally, when asked for advice and job search tips for future students, he reminded everyone to make good use of school resources, as many schools hold job fairs that make it easier for students to find internships and jobs after graduation.
By the way, Harry has four siblings who also sought our help in applying to study in the United States, and our colleagues similarly helped them choose the most suitable universities.
