The difference between cpt and opt in America

Most students studying in the United States want to stay and work in the United States for at least some time after graduation, so that they will have an advantage whether they want to stay in the United States or return to work. But after graduation, one of the problems we face is to apply for a work visa. When collecting relevant information, you often see the word opt. Why? Let's see what opt means in America. I hope I can help you. 1. What does opt mean in America? Simply put, opt is a temporary work permit that allows international students to practice outside the school. OPT, the full name of which is Optional Practical Training, is a welfare provided by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service to international students, so that international students can work in American enterprises, but the field must be related to their major. International students must complete at least one full academic year before they can apply for OPT, one *** 12 months; If your major belongs to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), such as biotechnology, computer engineering, business analysis, financial engineering, etc. , you can extend the qualification to three years. Everyone can only apply for OPT once for each degree qualification. In other words, people who apply for OPT with a master's degree will no longer be able to apply for a master's degree, and they must study for a higher degree like a doctor before they can apply for OPT again. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) majors can apply for an extension of 24 months, that is, they have 3 years of OPT time. Therefore, the pass rate of STEM students from OPT to H 1B is higher than that of business and liberal arts majors. OPT application requirements: To apply for OPT, you must first get the consent of the school, and then send it to the Department of Homeland Security for approval before you can get a work permit (EAD). EAD card: American work permit (full name is employment authorization document), which is approved by the Immigration Bureau and issued to foreigners who can legally work in the United States for a period of time. It has basic information such as photos and names. OPT qualification: Applicants must hold a valid visa of F 1. OPT application time: The earliest application time for OPT is 90 days before graduation, and the latest application time is 60 days after graduation. OPT related regulations: OPT effective time: You can choose to start OPT on any day within 60 days after graduation. 1, there are no legal working days-OPT stipulates that after the start, a * * has a total of 90 legal working days, and if no employer is found after 90 days, OPT qualification is invalid; Leave the country without stopping for 90 days without working days. 2. Full-time job-you need to work more than 20 hours a week to be considered as having a full-time job, but you can combine multiple positions or volunteer, but you must meet the requirements related to your major. 3. Return-During the ——OPT period, students need to report their job position, company name, address, time, etc. Although they are required to update every 60 days, basically they just need to copy the admission notice and leave it at the bottom. Students can't start work until they get the work card. Suppose students set 65438+1 October1to start OPT, but they didn't get their work cards until June 65438+1October/May, so they can only start from June 65438+1October1May. If you join the company without a work permit, it will be regarded as illegal work. 2. Matters needing attention in applying for opt in the United States 1. Applicants must first hold a valid F- 1 visa, and then apply for opt within 90 days before graduation to 60 days after graduation, otherwise they will lose the opportunity to apply. 2. The work done by the applicant in Opt must be related to the major, otherwise it will be regarded as illegal work. 3. Since opt is not a visa type, the applicant's status as an international student has not changed. So you should always keep in touch with the staff in the international office of your former school and explain your current working status and address, otherwise you will be deported. Applicants need to find a job within 90 days of applying for opt, otherwise opt will automatically become invalid and be regarded as unemployed. 3. OPT applicants must hold a valid F- 1 status and start applying within 90 days before completing their degree; You must complete at least two semesters of full-time study in the United States and you must study in the United States for at least nine months. Graduated from American institutions of higher learning, bachelor degree or above. The work done during OPT must be related to the students' professional background, otherwise it will be regarded as illegal work; To sum up, American students with F 1 visas who just entered the country this year are not eligible to apply for OPT if they graduate this summer because they have been studying in the United States for less than 9 months! In this case, what should students do if they want to stay in America? 1, directly apply for H 1b work visa. If you don't apply for OPT and want to stay in the United States, one of the ways is to apply for an H 1b work visa directly. H 1b in the United States can be divided into two categories, those that need to draw lots and those that don't. For H 1b that needs to draw lots, there is no chance this year, because the draw is over. Therefore, we should pay attention to the job opportunities that H 1b does not need to draw lots: non-profit organizations (such as the United Nations), governments, universities (public universities and many private universities are non-profit organizations, and there are a few for-profit private universities in the United States), university affiliated hospitals, foundations, and some research institutions. 2. Continue to apply for F 1 visa. If you can't apply for OPT and H 1b visas, you can continue to apply for F 1 visas and find another school to continue. But this method is not suitable for students who have a clear dream school, because it is a little late for you to start preparing for the application at this time, and you may not be able to apply for a good school. Of course, this is not absolute. If you are strong, it is also feasible. 3. change it to J 1 visa. American J 1 visa, also known as American Visiting Scholar/Visiting Student Visa, is a visa type for the US government to facilitate foreign citizens to participate in exchange and visit programs in the United States, aiming at promoting the exchange of knowledge and skills among people in the fields of education, art and science. Participants include the following seven types: (1) students in universities, middle schools and primary schools; (2) personnel who participate in on-the-job training in companies, institutions and organs; (3) Teachers in primary schools, middle schools and professional and technical schools; (4) Professors who teach or engage in research in institutions of higher learning; (5) scholars specializing in research; (6) Persons who have received professional training in medical or related institutions; (7) and international visiting scholars who go to the United States to engage in the following activities: travel, observation, consultation, research, training, sharing or displaying professional knowledge/skills, and participating in organized non-governmental exchange projects. To apply for a J 1 visa in the United States, the applicant must be accepted by the official project organizer in the United States before applying for an exchange visiting scholar visa. Once accepted, American educational institutions or project organizers will provide the applicant with the approval documents needed to apply for a visa. The above is what opt means to everyone in the United States. After reading this article, friends should know the importance of opt. If you want to stay in America, start preparing.