Can International Students stay in the USA after graduation?
International Students will able to stay in America on an F-1 visa after completing graduation with the extension of OPT. OPT allows the aspirants to work in the United States for approximately 12 months. The majority of the international students want to apply for Post Study Work Visa USA. There are few methods new graduates will stay in the United States to gain the experience of real-world or complete an internship program. OPT (Optional Practical Training) extension will enable the aspirant to stay in the United States after completing graduation.
Complicated rules for the workers will make staying a little bit difficult in the United States. Moreover, an F-1 visa extension will be helpful for students. Keep reading the article to understand OPT extension & F-1 visa options.
How To Get Post Study Work Visa USA?
Students can stay in the United States on an F-1 Visa. OPT enables the recent graduates to work in America for approximately 12 months. This program is completely different from CPT (Curricular Practical Training) program that you should be completed when you are pursuing a full-time program at university or college. OPT will be completed after or before completing graduation. A student is eligible for almost 12 months of training. Therefore, in case you are using CPT or OPT when you are attending a full-time program, then you will not be qualified for an F-1 Visa extension. Moreover, you can easily be entitled to an F-1 Visa extension if you are enrolling in a graduated school.
Students who are already studying mathematics, technology, science, and engineering will be qualified for OPT extension. This specific program will enable a student to do work in the United States for 24 months after completing graduation.
Ways To Apply For OPT Extension
If you want to initiate the application process, then your DSO should be entered OPT request in SEVIS. After that, you will have to fill out the application form & pay the biometric and filling fee that costs $495. Here I have recapitulated important steps to apply for an extension of OPT.
- The application should ask the DSO to enter a specific OPT request in the SEVIS.
- You need to sign an I-20 form, which is given by the DSO.
- After that, the student needs to complete another application form for Authorization of Employment.
Right Time To Apply For An Extension of OPT
Any student can apply for OPT ninety days before the end date of your program. Moreover, this program requires planning in-advance. If you don’t have sufficient knowledge about Study Work Visa USA, then you should make contact with Prab Visa. They will surely give you proper information about the OPT and DSO.
DHS offers a particular OPT planning tool that will allow the students to identify the timelines & due date for OPT applications. You will have to file an I-765 form within 60 days of graduation.
The Final Verdict
The majority of the international students are getting the approval of OPT in approximately 80 to 120 days. In the past, a student can expect approval within 90 days.
