International Students on F-1 Visas Eligible for One-Year OPT After Graduation

International students in the U.S. holding F-1 visas can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), allowing them to work for up to 12 months after completing their degree. This employment must be directly related to their major field of study. To be eligible, students must have maintained full-time F-1 status for at least one academic year and must apply for OPT through their school’s Designated School Official (DSO). The application involves submitting Form I-765 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) along with the required fee and supporting documents.

Graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT, totaling up to 36 months of work authorization. To qualify for the STEM extension, students must be employed by an E-Verify-enrolled employer and meet additional USCIS requirements.