How to Apply for OPT in US ?
How to Apply for O P T?
To apply for O P T, you need to follow these steps:
Request a recommendation from your Designated School Official (DSO) for O P T in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)2. Your DSO will provide you with a Form I-20 with the O P T recommendation and a start and end date for your O P T.
Complete Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and gather the required documents, such as passport, visa, I-94 record, photos, etc.2
Mail your Form I-765 and supporting documents to the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) lockbox facility that serves your area2. You can find the address and instructions on the USCIS website.
Pay the filing fee of $410 online or by check or money order2.
Wait for USCIS to process your application and send you a receipt notice with a tracking number. You can check the status of your application online using the tracking number.
Receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from USCIS by mail. The EAD card will show your name, photo, and authorized period of employment2.
Start working on O P T only after you receive your EAD card and only within the authorized period of employment2.
What are the Benefits and Challenges of Working on O P T?
Working on O P T can be a great opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience in your field of study, network with professionals, and explore career options in the United States. Some of the benefits of working on O P T are:
You can work for any employer in the United States as long as the job is related to your major area of study2.
You can change employers or jobs as often as you want as long as you report them to your DSO and update your information in SEVIS2.
You can apply for a 24-month STEM O P T extension if you have graduated in a STEM field and meet certain criteria2.
You can apply for an H-1B visa or other types of work visas while on O P T if you are eligible and sponsored by an employer2.
You can travel outside the United States while on O P T as long as you have a valid F-1 visa, a valid EAD card, a valid passport, and a Here is the continuation of the blog post:
a signed Form I-20 with a travel endorsement from your DSO.
However, working on O P T also comes with some challenges and responsibilities that you need to be aware of. Some of the challenges of working on O P T are:
You have a limited time of work authorization (12 months or 36 months for STEM O P T) and you need to plan your career goals accordingly.
You need to report your employment information and any changes to your DSO and update your information in SEVIS within 10 days of the change.
You need to maintain a valid F-1 status and abide by the rules and regulations of O P T.
You need to pay taxes on your income and file a tax return every year.
You may face difficulties in finding a job or an employer who is willing to sponsor you for a work visa after O P T.
You may face competition from other applicants for jobs or work visas in the United States.
Conclusion
O P T is a great opportunity for international students on F-1 visas to gain practical experience in their field of study and explore career options in the United States. However, O P T also comes with some challenges and responsibilities that you need to be prepared for. To apply for O P T, you need to request a recommendation from your DSO, complete Form I-765, and mail it to USCIS with the required documents and fee. You can work on O P T only after you receive your EAD card and only within the authorized period of employment. You can change employers or jobs as long as they are related to your major area of study and you report them to your DSO and update your information in SEVIS. You can also apply for a STEM O P T extension or an H-1B visa if you are eligible and sponsored by an employer. You can travel outside the United States while on O P T as long as you have a valid F-1 visa, a valid EAD card, a valid passport, and a signed Form I-20 with a travel endorsement from your DSO. You need to pay taxes on your income and file a tax return every year. You need to maintain a valid F-1 status and abide by the rules and regulations of O P T.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand what O P T is and how to apply for it. If you have any questions or need any assistance with your O P T application, please contact us at +91 730 560 8636. We are here to help you achieve your career goals in the United States.
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