OPT means Optional Practical Training especially for those students who are enrolled or about to complete their degree in the United States of America and can work either during their vacation or leave term or even after completion of their course and their status of immigration would be F1.  OPT helps these students to avail a temporary employment authorization and one can explore and experience the work over there during this period.  Many students on F1 visas would like to take temporary work assignments relevant to their studies.  It's an opportunity to experience work as well as earn. 

It’s a great opportunity for international students to experience their learning practically through employment and also build confidence to continue their studies. Optional Practical Training is a paradigm shift from theory to practical approach at work. 

Optional Practical Training, or OPT, once their degree is obtained, this kind of work permission let F-1 students work in the US. The F-1 Optional Practical Training curriculum is designed to give students the chance to apply the skills and information acquired in the classroom to a professional environment.

What kind of OPT visa? It is important to remember that OPT is not a visa on its own, it is a work authorization awarded to students with an F-1 visa. Students therefore remain in F-1 student visa status even while they are on OPT.

The 90-Day unemployment limit is an important regulation for F-1 Students on OPT. It is important to ensure that the students are actively working or seeking employment in their field of study during their OPT period. F-1 students on standard post-completion OPT are allowed a total of 90 days of unemployment.  This means you can be unemployed for upto 90 days without violating your OPT status. 

The 90 days limit starts from the start date on your Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Every day you are not employed, including weekends and holidays, counts towards 90 day limit. 

There are few employment criteria which says Employment must be directly related to your field of study and employment can be paid or unpaid, including internships, temporary or contract work, and volunteer positions. 

Begin your job search well before your OPT start date. Utilize your school’s career services, job fairs, and professional networks.  Consider taking temporary or part-time positions in your field to avoid accumulating unemployment days. Unpaid internships and volunteer positions related to your field of study can count as employment and prevent you from exceeding the 90 day limit. 

 If you qualify for the STEM OPT extension, you are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment, making a total of 150 days (90 days during standard OPT and 60 days during STEM OPT).  

Also it is important that students must report your employment to your Designated School Official (DSO) and update your SEVIS record. This includes any changes in your employment status. Also students to maintain accurate records of your employment, including job titles, start and end dates, and how the job is related to your field of study.

To maintain your F-1 status, student can enrol in a new degree program at the same or a different institution.  Pursuing a higher level of education, can make you eligible for a new period of OPT

Exceeding the 90-day unemployment limit can result in a violation of your F-1 status, potential leading to the termination of your OPT and the need to leave the U.S. By understanding and adhering to the 90-day unemployment limit, you can make the most of your OPT period and avoid any potential issues with your F-1 status.