Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. OPT is a benefit for F-1 visa holders who have successfully completed a degree program in the United States.
Students who meet the eligibility requirements can apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for 12 months of Post-Completion OPT immediately following degree completion. Students who earned a degree in a STEM field may also be eligible for a 24-month STEM extension of their initial OPT period.