Who are F-1 Students? How they can use OPT in the United States?

In the United States, students from foreign countries are provided with F1 visa status utilizing which they can stay till they complete their education or college in the United States. Students with F1 visa status are often termed as F-1 Students and they require to maintain the minimum course load to achieve full-time student status. In order to become eligible for an F1-visa status, a foreign student must abide by below requirements and prove them during the F1 visa interview with the immigration officer,

Proof of Foreign Residence

It is very important to possess a foreign residence for F-1 applicants to get the visa status.

Intend to Return after Studies

The applicant must show signs of intention to return to their country after the completion of studies.

Sponsoring Institution

An institution (college or university) must be willing to sponsor the education to facilitate the process of F-1 visa status for the student.

Financial Support

It is mandatory for the F-1 applicants to show proofs of financial support for them to accomplish the specified education at the respective institution in the United Status.

Ties to Home Country

It is also important to showcase the strong ties of the applicant with his/her home country to become eligible for the F1 visa status in the US. Following are some examples of proofs which can be demonstrated for this purpose,

• A job offer letter upon completion of studies
• Movable Assets
• Immovable Assets
• Bank accounts
• Fixed Deposits
• Family

Expiration of the F-1 visa status

The USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) made it a strict rule to leave to hometown country after the student completes his/her education. They can stay maximum of 60 days beyond the expiration of his/her course which is specified in the I-20 form (I-20 form is a certificate provided to F-1 students to declare their eligibility status as Non-immigrant Student). However, if the student has applied for an OPT or CPT program, he can work for a certain period of time in the United States after the expiration of F1 visa.

How to use the OPT in the US?

The USCIS facilitates the option of working in the United States after the completion of students. However, this is with the intention of providing an opportunity to immigrant students to acquire practical learning experience. OPT stands for Optional Practical Training that which is a legible permit given to the student to work for 12 to 17 months in the United States. This OPT employment opportunity is closely connected with the institution where the student pursues his/her educational course. In fact, the student can apply or initiate the OPT application only through the university and the employer who is ready to provide the OPT employment to the immigrant student should approach via the university. All these procedures are monitored by the USCIS to make sure that there are no fraudulent practices in the name of OPT.

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