The Ultimate Guide to OPT (Optional Practical Training)

Under U.S. immigration law, Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Under OPT, students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion).