If you’re an international student dreaming of building your career in the United States after graduation, you’re not alone. The U.S. is home to some of the world’s top universities and dynamic job markets, attracting thousands of students from around the globe each year.
But once you’ve earned your degree, what’s next? The good news: there are pathways that allow international students to stay and work in the U.S. after completing their studies. The key is to understand your options and act early.
Let’s break down the most popular route international students take: Optional Practical Training (OPT). We’ll also touch on the STEM OPT extension and how these opportunities can lead to longer-term work visas, like the H-1B. From paperwork to planning, here’s everything you need to know to get started.
Note: This post is not meant as official immigration or residency advice. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. If you’re interested in learning about ways to stay in the US after completing your degree, contact an American immigration attorney.
What Is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
Optional Practical Training, or OPT, is a temporary work authorization available to F-1 visa (academic student visa) students. It allows you to gain hands-on experience in your field of study for a limited time without getting a new visa.
There are two types of OPT:
- Pre-completion OPT: Authorizes you to work before finishing your degree (during your studies).
- Post-completion OPT: Authorizes you to work after you graduate.
In either type of OPT, you can work full-time for up to 12 months. For example, you could complete 4 months of pre-completion OPT and 8 months of post-completion OPT. Most students who plan to stay in the U.S. after graduation allocate as much time as they can toward post-completion OPT.
If you majored in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math), you could be eligible for an additional 24-month OPT extension, allowing for up to 36 months total of work experience in the U.S. We’ll explain more about this extension below.
If you plan to work during your studies, don’t worry: OPT doesn’t impact your ability to work on-campus with your F-1 visa during your studies. However, completing one year of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) will make you ineligible for OPT, so make sure to plan ahead.
Looking for information about post-study work opportunities in other destinations? Learn more about Canada’s PGWP program and the UK’s Graduate Route.
How to Apply for OPT
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to secure your US post-study work visa via OPT:
1. Talk to Your Designated School Official (DSO) Early
Your DSO is your go-to contact for anything related to your F-1 student status. Let them know you’re interested in applying for OPT. They’ll help ensure your academic program makes you eligible and guide you through the process.
2. Request an OPT Recommendation From Your DSO
Your DSO will input an OPT recommendation into your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record and give you a new I-20 form which includes the OPT recommendation. This step is required before submitting your application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
3. Apply On Time
Timing is crucial, but your application window depends on what kind of US post-study work visa you are applying for. For pre-completion OPT, you can apply as early as 90 days before you complete a full academic year, as long as you don’t start working until after you’ve finished your first year. For post-completion OPT, you can apply as early as 90 days before you finish your program and no later than 60 days after you graduate. USCIS also needs time to process your application, so apply as early as possible.
4. Submit Form I-765 to USCIS
You’ll apply for your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-765. As of 2024, you can file this form online or by mail, but it is cheaper to file online.
Along with Form I-765, you’ll need:
- Your new I-20 with OPT recommendation (from step 2)
- Passport-style photos
- A copy of your passport ID page and F-1 visa
- Your previous EAD (if applicable)
- Filing fee (currently US$470 for online and US$520 for mail, but always check the USCIS website for updates)
Once approved, you’ll receive your EAD in the mail. You cannot begin working until you have this card in hand and the start date has arrived.
5. Start Your Job Search
Job offers aren’t required to apply for OPT. However, you must work at least 20 hours per week in a position directly related to your field of study once your OPT period begins. You are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment on standard OPT, but keep in mind that other changes to your employment status may put your F-1 status at risk.
STEM OPT Extension: An Extra 24 Months
Majored in a STEM subject? You could qualify for a 24-month OPT extension, bringing your total OPT eligibility up to three years. To be eligible:
- Your degree must be on the ICE-designated STEM list.
- Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify (a federal employment eligibility program).
- You must apply before your initial 12-month OPT period expires.
The extension application process is similar to applying for OPT. You’ll file another Form I-765 along with a Training Plan (Form I-983) completed with your employer.
During STEM OPT, you can’t accrue more than 150 days of unemployment total, including any time you accrued on regular OPT.
Transitioning to H-1B: What You Need to Know
OPT doesn’t have to be your final stop. It can be a stepping stone. Many students use their time on a post-study work visa to build valuable work experience that helps them transition into a long-term work visa like the H-1B.
The H-1B is a visa designed for highly skilled workers and is a common next step after OPT. To be eligible for an H-1B visa, you need to have completed a bachelor’s degree (or higher) and your employer needs to sponsor your application. The application window typically opens each spring, but H-1B visas are awarded through a lottery system and there is a yearly cap.
There is an annual cap of 65,000 H-1B regular visas and 20,000 H-1B advanced degree exemptions (also known as the master’s cap). And, applying for these visas is highly competitive, with the application window opening 6 months before the selected H-1B start date. For the 2026 fiscal year (spanning October 2025 to September 2026), USCIS received nearly 360,000 applications before they stopped accepting new registrations. This means it’s important to talk with your employer early if you want to pursue an H-1B.
Tip: If you’re on STEM OPT and don’t get selected in the H-1B lottery your first year, you have another shot the following year, thanks to your extended work eligibility.
With an approved H-1B visa, you’re allowed to live and work in the U.S. for an initial period of up to three years. This can typically be extended, but the total stay is generally capped at six years. If you hold an F-1 student visa and have submitted an H-1B petition along with a change-of-status request—but your F-1 status is set to expire before the H-1B takes effect—you might qualify for a cap-gap extension to maintain lawful status.
Important Tips to Keep in Mind
Applying to work in the US after you graduate can be complicated. Keep these tips in mind to help make the process as stress-free as possible:
- Maintain communication with your DSO: They’re your best resource throughout the application process and can answer questions at any time.
- Track your deadlines: Missing a filing window could affect your visa status.
- Only work in jobs related to your major/field of study: Whether it’s engineering or digital marketing, your OPT job has to align with your degree.
- Report your employment: You’ll need to update your SEVIS record with employment information to maintain your F-1 status.
Navigating the U.S. post-study work visa process after graduation can feel overwhelming, but knowing your options makes all the difference. OPT and the STEM OPT extension provide international students with valuable opportunities to gain American work experience and potentially transition to longer-term visa options like the H-1B.
Start early, stay organized, and don’t be afraid to lean on your DSO, professors, and international student services. With the right preparation, your American career journey can begin right after graduation.
Ready to take the next step? Use our free ApplyBoard platform to find your dream program in the US.