{"id":33444,"date":"2024-09-27T15:26:17","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T19:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marymount.edu\/academics\/?page_id=33444"},"modified":"2024-10-02T17:25:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T21:25:00","slug":"optional-practical-training","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/marymount.edu\/academics\/center-global-engagement\/international-student-services\/current-students\/employment\/optional-practical-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Optional Practical Training"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eligibility<\/a> Apply<\/a> Approved<\/a><\/h4>\n

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students 12 months of full-time, practical work experience in their field of study per degree level. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 8 CFR 214.2 (f)(10).<\/p>\n

OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student\u2019s major area of study.\u00a0 There are different types of OPT available to students.<\/p>\n

Types of OPT<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Type<\/strong><\/th>\nOPT<\/strong><\/th>\nSTEM OPT<\/strong><\/th>\nCap Gap OPT<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
What<\/strong><\/th>\nTemporary practical training directly related to a student’s major area of study.<\/td>\nTemporary extension of previously granted practical training directly related to a student’s major areas of study in a STEM field.<\/td>\nTemporary extension of previously granted practical training directly related to a student’s major areas of study while an H-1B application is pending.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who<\/strong><\/th>\nOPT is available for students engaged in post-secondary schools or at conservatories.<\/td>\nThe STEM OPT Extension is for students who majored in\u00a0designated\u00a0Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees\u00a0approved by DHS<\/a>.<\/td>\nCap-Gap OPT is for students whose prospective employers filed a qualifying H-1B cap subject petition and whose OPT will end before the H-1B status begins.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
When<\/strong><\/th>\nOPT employment authorization may be granted\u00a0pre-completion\u00a0(part-time while school is in session or full-time during winter or summer breaks) or\u00a0post-completion\u00a0(full-time after the completion of studies).<\/td>\nStudents apply for the STEM OPT Extension after they have been approved for Post Completion OPT. The earliest to apply for STEM OPT is 90 days before the end of the OPT listed on the EAD. The deadline to apply for STEM OPT is the end date on the OPT EAD.<\/td>\nThe cap-gap extension is available to students who, as of April 1st were either on approved OPT or in the 60-day grace period and have a pending or approved change-of-status October 1st H-1B petition with USCIS that was filed by their employer prior to the expiration of their OPT.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duration<\/strong><\/th>\nTwelve months of regular OPT is available for each higher level of study. For example, a student may have 12 months for a bachelor\u2019s degree and another 12 months for a master\u2019s degree.<\/td>\nThis type of OPT is a 24-month extension of OPT and can only be used at a maximum of two degree levels. For example, if a student uses STEM OPT at the bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s levels, they may not use STEM OPT at the doctoral level.<\/td>\nCap Gap OPT ends on October 1 when the H-1B change of status goes into effect.<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

OPT Eligibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n

F-1 students who have been enrolled in full-time (or approved Reduced Course Load) degree status for a minimum of one academic year (two consecutive semesters) in valid non-immigration status may be eligible to apply for OPT. If you have questions about your eligibility to apply for OPT, meet with an ISSS Advisor.<\/p>\n

Any proposed OPT employment must directly relate to the student\u2019s field of study to be eligible for OPT.<\/p>\n

Important Notes for OPT<\/strong><\/h3>\n