Optional Practical Training (OPT) Discussion

Question

Ask your OPT Questions and Share your Experience

Welcome - This forum has been created to help applicants who are on F1 student Visa and about to start their post completion/pre completion job in United States.

You can use this forum for following purposes:

Ask questions about how to apply?
How much is OPT Fees? When and how to pay it?
Can I travel internationally during OPT application submission or OPT pending state?
What is bio-metric process and do I need it?
What are I-765/G-1145/G1450 forms?
How should I be dressed for the inteview?
What all documents should I send to USCIS?
What is the difference between pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT?
What is cap extension?
How to select start or end date of OPT?
And many more general discussions!

If there is a particular resource you looked for but cannot locate, please post a request on this forum and we would love to help!

pinetree22 · Answer

Hi there, I would like to start with this question: Can I travel internationally during OPT period (after getting accepted OPT and before the end date)? I have heard from the grapevine that during the OPT period, OPT holders should not travel outside the U.S. as they may encounter some difficulty to enter the U.S. Is this true?

PP627 · Answer

It is absolutely possible to travel internationally. Occasionally you might experience some minor difficulties, but it's rather on the inconvenience side of things than actually impacting your travel plans. Hope this helps!

pinetree22 · Answer

Thank you for the information!

abhimahna · Answer

Hey  pinetree22  ,

Thank you for the question. Yes, you can absolutely travel internationally but make sure you carry your EAD card with you. You won't face any difficulty if you have your job offer letter, EAD card and updated I20 with you. I hope this helps!

markano · Answer

Thank you for the question

blowice27 · Answer

Some schools have some Stem-designated enrichment courses like Business Analytics. In that case will my job have to be centred around business analytics to get the extension.

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abhimahna · Answer

Hey  blowice27  ,

As per my understanding, I think as long as your post MBA related is somehow related to your MBA major, you should be good. For example, let's say you majored in Consulting and you also did take analytics courses, you will be fine to work either as a consultant or as someone who has alot of analytics work. I hope that helps!

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Both my international clients want to startup in business school and obviously do that full time post graduation. What are the OPT rules on that, do they have to be employed by a certain company? If so, what are the options that would allow them to stay in the US? What are the options with a J visa if you happen to know? I can chat with my ex roomie at Tulane Law who is an immigration attorney but have been hitting her hard the past couple weeks.

moneymonkey · Answer

I would like to know if a transfer student only to complete one single academic year at an USCIS approved school could be eligible to apply for OPT?

abhimahna · Answer

Hey  luongq1  ,

Thank you for the question. USCIS requires us to complete a minimum of 12 months of study before starting working on OPT. So, as long as you are fulfilling the requirements, I believe you should be good. All the best!

Vishambar2910 · Answer

I have a question: Do we get directly three years of OPT or the first one year then again we have to extend it for two years?

abhimahna · Answer

Hey Praful2910 , Thank you for the question. If you have a STEM degree, you get it for 3 years at the first time itself. No need to of requesting extension after 1 year. I hope that helps! Good luck!

robinjamess · Answer

thanks

Bubi · Answer

Hi! Did anyone forgot to update one of the supervisors when you are working with multiple supervisors under the same employer? For example forgot to update the last day of the employment when you were under OPT. I am under Extension of OPT right now. I contacted DSO and she requested a ticket but it was refused bc it happened one year ago. How does it work? Did it affect your change of status?

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Posted from my mobile device

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Discussion

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