OPT
Optional Practical Training rules for F-1 graduates — 12-month OPT, 24-month STEM extension, application timelines, employer requirements, unemployment limits, and cap-gap provisions.
F-1 Student Work Authorization: CPT vs OPT and SEVIS Rules
A comprehensive guide for F-1 students on navigating CPT and OPT work authorizations, reporting requirements, and maintaining legal SEVIS status in the U.S.
Off-Campus Employment Rules: Why International Students Need OPT and CPT
Off-campus employment in the U.S. for F-1 international students requires CPT or OPT authorization. Working without permission risks…
OPT workers face layoffs that may threaten H-1B visa hopes
Rising layoffs in 2025 severely challenge OPT workers, whose legal stay in the U.S. depends on rapid re-employment…
Missing STEM OPT Validation Reports can risk your F-1 status
Missing a 6- or 12-month STEM OPT Validation Report can terminate your F-1 status and work rights. SEVIS…
International students in the US regain legal status after court wins
A surge in SEVIS terminations has stripped over 1,100 U.S. international students of legal status since March 2025.…
Students rethink US study plans due to visa issues
Stricter U.S. visa policies and the risk of ending OPT have caused a 30% drop in international student…
Visa issues drop Indian student enrollment in US by 28%
A 28% decline in Indian student enrollment at U.S. universities for 2025 is linked to tougher F-1 visa…
Is OPT Ending? Current Status of OPT and STEM OPT Programs
OPT and STEM OPT programs remain fully operational in 2026 as Congress moves to codify the program into…
Can Working Full-Time on F-1 OPT Affect Your H-1B Visa Chances
F-1 OPT allows students to gain work experience in their field, offering flexibility that ends with H-1B approval.…
Do F-1 Students Have a Grace Period After SEVIS Termination During OPT?
F-1 students face immediate departure after SEVIS termination for violations. 2026 rules cut post-study grace to 30 days…