OPT stands for Optional Practical Training, and it offers international undergraduate and graduate students the chance to complement their studies with practical training on their fields. Both F-1 and M-1 visa holders are eligible for OPT.
OPT is valid for one full calendar year and it provides the student with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card), access to a Social Security Number and the possibility of working full time in a job that is directly related to their major. Professionals with a STEM degree (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) can apply for a 17 month extension of their OPT. For more information about OPT, please click here.