Work and Career Faq's

CPT is work authorization that lets F-1 students work off-campus in jobs directly related to their major.

Key features:

• Must be part of curriculum (internship requirement or for credit)
• Available during studies (not after graduation)
• Can be part-time (20 hrs) or full-time (40 hrs)
• Must have job offer before applying

CPT rules:

• Must complete 1 academic year before CPT (except grad students in some programs)
• Authorization from international student office
• Each semester needs separate CPT approval
• If you do 12+ months full-time CPT, you lose OPT eligibility

Popular for:
Engineering, business, computer science students with internship requirements.

OPT is work authorization that lets F-1 students work in their field of study after completing their degree.

Standard OPT:

• 12 months duration
• Can be used before or after graduation
• Must be related to your major
• Apply up to 90 days before and 60 days after program end

STEM OPT extension:

• Additional 24 months for STEM degree holders
• Total: 36 months work authorization
• Employer must be E-Verified
• Requires training plan (Form I-983)

OPT application timeline:

You can apply for OPT during a specific window:

OPT application window:

• Earliest: 90 days before your program end date
• Latest: 60 days after your program end date
• USCIS must receive application within this window

Example:
If you graduate May 15, 2026:

• Earliest apply: February 14, 2026
• Latest apply: July 14, 2026

Processing time:
Currently 3-5 months. Apply as early as possible!

After applying:

• Get receipt notice in 2-3 weeks
• Biometrics appointment (sometimes waived)
• Wait for EAD card approval
• Can start work only after EAD card received

Absolutely not. Working off-campus without authorization is a serious violation of F-1 status.

Consequences:

• SEVIS record terminated
• Must leave US immediately
• Future visas difficult to get
• Possible deportation
• Permanent bar in some cases

What counts as unauthorized work:

• Any off-campus job without CPT/OPT
• Exceeding hour limits
• Working after I-20 expiration
• Uber, delivery apps without authorization

If you need money:

• On-campus jobs available (library, cafeteria, admin)
• Paid internships through CPT (after 1 year)
• Scholarships and grants

Yes, but it takes effort. The US job market is competitive but offers good opportunities.

By the numbers:

• STEM fields: 70-80% find jobs within 6 months
• Business/Economics: 60-70% placement
• Liberal Arts: 50-60% placement

Top hiring companies for internationals:

• Tech: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta
• Consulting: Deloitte, EY, PwC
• Finance: Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan
• Manufacturing: Tesla, Boeing, John Deere

Tips for job search:

• Start early (6-9 months before graduation)
• Attend career fairs
• Use university career center
• Network on LinkedIn
• Apply for internships during studies

H-1B is a work visa that many international students switch to after OPT expires.

H-1B basics:

• For specialty occupations (usually requires bachelor’s degree)
• Initial duration: 3 years
• Extension: Additional 3 years (total 6 years)
• Dual intent allowed (can apply for green card)

The H-1B lottery:

• Annual cap: 65,000 regular + 20,000 US master’s cap
• ~300,000 applications for 85,000 spots
• Selected by random lottery
• Not selected? Can try next year or explore other options

Timeline:

No, OPT is not guaranteed. It’s a benefit you must apply for and be approved.

Reasons for OPT denial:

• Applying outside allowed window
• Not maintaining full-time status
• Unauthorized work history
• Criminal record
• Incomplete application

How to maximize approval chances:

• Apply early (within allowed window)
• Double-check all forms
• Maintain valid status throughout
• Keep copies of all documents
• Respond quickly to USCIS requests

If denied:

• You lose work authorization
• Must leave US within 60 days
• Can reapply? Only if filed within window and correct errors

Very competitive, but opportunities exist. International students face unique challenges:

Challenges:

• Visa sponsorship required for long-term
• Language and cultural barriers
• Limited network in US
• Some employers prefer citizens/PR

Advantages:

• STEM OPT extension (3 years work)
• Growing acceptance of remote work
• Many companies actively recruit internationals
• University career services support

Industries friendliest to internationals:

No, F-2 visa holders cannot work in the US.

F-2 restrictions:

• No employment authorization
• Cannot start business
• Cannot freelance or remote work for foreign company

What F-2 can do:

• Study part-time (recreational, non-degree)
• Volunteer (unpaid)
• Travel within US
• Change to F-1 status (if admitted to university)

If F-2 wants to work:
Must change status to:

• F-1 (student) – then eligible for CPT/OPT
• H-1B (if they find employer sponsor)
• Other work visa categories

STEM OPT extension gives STEM graduates an additional 24 months of work authorization beyond the standard 12-month OPT.

Total work time:

• Standard OPT: 12 months
• STEM OPT extension: +24 months
• Total: 36 months (3 years)

Eligibility:

• Degree in STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
• Employer enrolled in E-Verify
• Degree from accredited US university
• Apply before standard OPT expires

STEM fields include:

• Computer Science
• Engineering (all types)
• Mathematics/Statistics
• Biological Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Some business analytics programs

Application process:

1. Get job offer from E-Verify employer
2. Complete I-983 Training Plan
3. Submit I-765 with fee
4. Receive new EAD for STEM extension

For initial 12-month OPT: NO – you don’t need a job offer to apply.

Initial OPT rules:

• Can apply without job offer
• After approval, you have 90 days to find a job
• If no job in 90 days, must leave US

For STEM OPT extension: YES – you need job offer before applying.

STEM OPT requirements:

• Must have job offer from E-Verify employer
• Submit Training Plan (I-983)
• Employer must agree to reporting requirements

Unemployment days:

• Standard OPT: Maximum 90 days unemployment
• STEM OPT: Additional 60 days (total 150 for STEM)

Yes, you can work multiple on-campus jobs as long as total hours don’t exceed limits.

Hour limits:

• During semesters: Maximum 20 hours/week total (all jobs combined)
• During breaks: Maximum 40 hours/week total

Examples:

• Library job 10 hrs + Research assistant 10 hrs = 20 hrs ✅
• Cafeteria 15 hrs + Admin office 10 hrs = 25 hrs ❌ (not allowed during semester)

Tracking your hours:

• Keep log of all hours worked
• Don’t rely on employers to track total
• Violating hour limits = status violation

Best practice:
Spread hours across week. Don’t work 20 hours in 2 days — immigration may see it as not being a “full-time student.”

International students must file taxes, even with zero income.

Types of taxes:

Forms you’ll need:

Tax treaties:
Many countries have tax treaties with US that exempt certain income. Check if your country qualifies.

Very restricted, but possible in limited ways.

Rules for self-employment:

• Cannot be “self-employed” on OPT (must have employer)
• Cannot run business that counts as work
• Passive income (investments) generally okay

What’s allowed:

• Registering an LLC (but not actively working for it)
• Investing in business (passive)
• Volunteer work for non-profit

What’s NOT allowed:

• Actively running business that generates income
• Freelancing or consulting independently
• Being paid by your own company

OPT and business:
Some entrepreneurs structure it as:

• Register company
• Hire themselves through the company (as employee)
• Company must meet OPT requirements (E-Verify etc.)

Always consult DSO and immigration attorney before starting any business.