How F-1 Students Can Work in American Companies Under the OPT Program

In a significant move to stabilise the workforce and mitigate potential employment disruptions, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a permanent extension to the automatic work permit renewal period. 

Eligible applicants now benefit from a 540-day extension, a substantial increase from the previous 180 days. This policy applies retroactively to renewal applications submitted on or after 4 May 2022, providing immediate relief to those awaiting processing by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

"The final rule ensures that individuals relying on continued work authorisation are not penalised by procedural backlogs," the Department said, underscoring the policy's aim to bolster workforce stability by allowing uninterrupted employment for timely renewals.

This regulatory shift highlights the ongoing evolution of US immigration policy, particularly as it pertains to international students seeking professional opportunities post-graduation. Central to this landscape is the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, a key component of the F-1 visa scheme that bridges academic learning and real-world employment in the US. The OPT programme allows international students to gain temporary work authorisation for up to 12 months in fields directly related to their studies.

The programme offers two pathways: pre-completion OPT, available during academic study, and post-completion OPT, accessible after graduation. Time spent in pre-completion OPT is deducted from the post-completion allocation, necessitating careful planning to maximise benefits. To qualify, applicants must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year at an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), under US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

This requisite year of study need not have been under F-1 status, offering flexibility to students who transitioned from other non-immigrant classifications. Students in pre-completion OPT are limited to 20 hours of work per week during academic sessions, with full-time work permitted during scheduled breaks. Post-completion OPT allows for full-or part-time employment but is only available after academic requirements are fulfilled.

One year of part-time pre-completion OPT counts as six months of full-time training, reducing the post-completion OPT duration. Exhausting the full-time OPT allowance before graduation disqualifies applicants from post-completion work authorisation, significantly impacting employment planning. Recognising the demand for expertise in science and technology, the DHS offers additional opportunities for international graduates in designated STEM fields. 

Eligible students can qualify for a 24-month extension to their post-completion OPT, provided they hold a degree in a qualifying field, have received initial post-completion OPT authorisation, and are employed by a company actively participating in E-Verify, the federal employment eligibility verification system.

This STEM extension reflects national efforts to retain specialised talent. The DHS states that the STEM Designated Degree Program List encompasses all academic fields considered under science, technology, engineering or mathematics, offering international scholars a longer opportunity to contribute to the American innovation ecosystems.

The application process is coordinated through designated school officials (DSOs), who endorse the student's Form I-20 and update records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Applicants then submit Form I-765 to USCIS, along with the necessary fee. Work authorisation is granted upon application approval, evidenced by the issuance of an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD).

As immigration policies continue to evolve amid national debates on talent retention and workforce development, OPT remains a pivotal mechanism for equipping international graduates with real-world experience, while serving American industries in need of skilled labour.