Post Study Work Permit in USA for Indian Students

After graduating from US universities students aim to look for some work experience. To gain work experience, international students will have to apply for a post study work visa in USA. In case of STEM students, an OPT Extension visa is applicable. Check out the article for more details on post study work visa in USA for both STEM and non-STEM applicants.

PSW in USA is one of the most important aspects for students going to pursue higher studies in the USA. F1 Visa, M1 Visa, and J1 Visa are three types of student visas in USA that allow students to stay and study in the US for a limited period after completing their studies. As an F1 student visa holder, international students can complete up to a year of temporary employment directly related to their major field of study. F1 visa holders can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing their studies.

What is a Post Study Work Visa in USA?

A post-study work visa as the name suggests is a visa for staying back in the US to get some hands-on work experience. Applicants holding any kind of student visa in the USA like F1, J1 or M1 visa are eligible to apply for post-study work visas in USA, provided they have found an employer and the employer is registered under E-verify. These visas are of two types - CPT or OPT. Let us understand about the two from the sections below. 

Optional Practical Training (OPT) 

OPT is a one-year work and stay-back permit given to international students on completion of a degree program in the US. OPT is applicable for F1 student visa holders specifically and for both STEM and non-STEM degree holders. There are two types of OPT – one which can be used during one’s studies i.e. Pre-Completion OPT, and another which starts after completing one’s studies i.e. Post-Completion OPT.

• Pre-completion OPT: You can apply for pre-completion OPT after you have received your full-time enrollment in an educational institution that has been certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enrol F-1 students. The duration of the course must be at least 12 months. If authorized, you can work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week when your classes are in session. During the holidays you can work full-time.
• Post-completion OPT: You can apply for post-completion OPT after completing your studies.

When to get OPT?

The job in the USA you get after finishing your course must be directly related to your field of study. You have to find a job within 90 days after graduation. You can begin the process of applying for OPT nine months after getting enrolled. But, the employment cannot begin until you get your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and have been enrolled for a minimum of one year. Also, it must be noted that you do not need a job to apply for an EAD and your OPT employment can take place anywhere in the US.

Duration to stay back – You get to stay in the US for one year after completion of your course on an F1 visa.

Extension – Students applying for an OPT extension should hold a degree in STEM courses from a university that holds accreditation from the US Department of Education and is authorized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Check more details about the STEM OPT extension here.

How do apply for OPT extension for Non-STEM degree courses?

If the F1 visa holders belonging to a non-STEM program wish to extend their OPT after graduation, then in that case, they can utilize their past degrees from the US school of higher education.

How to apply for OPT Extension?

To apply for an OPT extension, follow the steps given below:

• Ask your Designated School Official (DSO) to enter an OPT request in SEVIS
• Next, sign your I-20 form as provided by DSO
• Then, complete an application for Employment Authorization
• After this, submit the form, OPT extension fee, and supporting documents
• Answer any request for evidence from USCIS
• Receive your approval

How to Get OPT Permit?

The first thing is to have the Designated School Official (DSO) at your university recommend your case for OPT. A DSO is someone who assists and manages the status of international students. To be put forward, you will need to complete a certification process at your university. This includes submitting the OPT I-20 request form to the International Services Office. You can download this form from your university’s website.

Your university will then send your request to SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and on successful completion, a new I-20 immigration form will be generated.

After speaking to the DSO, understand the typical OPT requirements such as:

• Your employment must be directly related to your major
• Apply for your OPT before completing all work needed for your degree
• You must maintain lawful F-1 status
• You can work before or after the completion of your degree, or both
• You may stay and work in the US for up to 12 months after the completion of your coursework

OPT post-graduation requires the following things:

• OPT work must be full-time preferably 40 hours a week
• Applications for post-completion OPT must be received by USCIS before the completion of the degree
• All OPT must be completed within 14 months after completion of your degree

When Should You Apply for OPT?

• For a STEM degree, pre-completion OPT can be applied for after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT in your SEVIS record. In addition, you can apply up to 3 months (90 days) before you complete a full academic year.
• For a STEM degree, post-completion OPT can be applied for after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT in your SEVIS record. In addition, you have to apply within 30 days after the entry of the information. You can apply up to 90 days before you complete your degree but not later than 60 days after completing your degree.
• For STEM OPT extension, you must apply after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT in your SEVIS record. At the same time, you have to apply within 60 days of the entry of information. In addition, you can apply up to 90 days before the expiry of your current OPT employment authorization.
• For Non-STEM degrees, pre-completion OPT can be applied for after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT in your SEVIS record. In addition, you can apply up to 3 months (90 days) before you complete a full academic year.
• For a Non-Stem degree, post-completion OPT can be applied for after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT in your SEVIS record. You have to apply within 30 days after the entry of the information. You can apply up to 90 days before you complete your degree but not later than 60 days after completing your degree.

What is CPT in USA?

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) enables international students in the US on an F-1 visa to gain work experience through off-campus paid internships that are an integral part of their academic curriculum. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows international students in the US on an F-1 visa to engage in off-campus work or internships that are an essential part of their academic program. Provides the opportunity to earn money to help cover tuition fees. Offers valuable work experience in the student's field of study, enhancing employability after graduation. Get more details below:

Eligibility Criteria for CPT in USA:

• Students must be enrolled full-time in a valid one-year course on an F-1 visa.
• The job must align with the student’s academic field and be integral to their degree program.
• Prior CPT authorization must be obtained from the International Student Office.

Employment Details for CPT Applicants:

• Students can work either part-time (20 hours/week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours/week) depending on the approval.
• The employment should be directly related to the student’s course of study.

How to Apply for CPT in USA?

• Start the process early, as it may take up to 2 weeks to get approval.
• Complete the CPT Online Certification Course.
• Obtain a detailed training description from the employer.
• The International Student Advisor reviews the application before issuing the CPT I-20 authorization.
• No work can begin until the CPT I-20 is approved.

Note: If students work full-time on CPT for 12 months or more, they become ineligible for OPT (Optional Practical Training). Thus, it's recommended to work part-time or for less than 12 months to remain eligible for OPT.

Useful Links:

• Study in the US: Difference between CPT and OPT
• Student Guide to the United States of America (USA)
• Student Guide to Undergraduate Studies in the US