Optional Practical Training

Any F-1 visa international student who graduates from a U.S college or university qualifies for OPT. Additionally they must work either part-time (20 hours a week or more) or full time.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-31 |title=Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students {{!}} USCIS |url=https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=www.uscis.gov |language=en}} A student who has completed more than a year of full-time Curricular Practical Training is not eligible for Optional Practical Training.{{Cite web |title=Indeed Information on OPT |url=https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-is-opt}}

For the STEM OPT extension, there are additional requirements:

• The student must have studies in a STEM field. The Department of Homeland Security bases its definition of "STEM field" on the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). DHS frequently updates a list of study programs that count as STEM. There are currently 540 STEM field majors. The last update was on January 21, 2022.{{Cite web |title=Eligible CIP Codes for the STEM OPT Extension {{!}} Study in the States |url=https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub/additional-resources/eligible-cip-codes-for-the-stem-opt-extension |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=studyinthestates.dhs.gov}}{{Cite web |title=2022 STEM List |url=https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stemList2022.pdf}}{{Cite web |title=2016 STEM List |url=https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2016/stem-list.pdf}}
• Employer that is enrolled in or uses E-Verify.

In order to apply for Optional Practical Training, a foreign student must reach out to the designated school official (DSO) at the college or university to endorse Form I‑20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Afterwards, the student must fill out a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The filing fee for the form is $410. OPT application approval takes three to five months to receive an approval and start date.

OPT employment must be in the participant's field of study. OPT jobs can be both unpaid and paid. For STEM OPT, an employer along with the worker must fill out Form I-983.{{Cite web |title=Form Instructions |url=https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/i983Instructions.pdf}}

One place to look for statistics on yearly OPT authorizations is Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In 2021, there were 115,651 new OPT authorizations, a 105% increase from a decade ago.

In 2019, there were 72,116 new STEM OPT authorizations. Compared to a decade prior, it is an 1108% increase.

{{Update section|date=April 2025|reason=over a decade old}}

The Government Accountability Office published a report in 2014 with information on OPT approvals and denials from fiscal year 2008-2013.{{cite web |date=February 1, 2014 |title=Student and Exchange Visitor Program. DHS Needs to Assess Risks and Strengthen Oversight of Foreign Students with Employment Authorization |url=http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/661192.pdf |access-date=April 8, 2016}} Note that the counts here are of receipts, approvals, denials or revocations that happened in the fiscal year, regardless of when other activities surrounding that application occurred. For instance, if an application was approved in Fiscal Year 2009 and revoked in Fiscal Year 2010, the revocation would be counted in 2010 rather than 2009. Thus, the number of receipts for a given year need not equal the sum of the number of approvals and denials for that year. The approval rate for OPT petitions between 2008 and 2013 was 96%.

Another place to find statistics on optional practical training is from the Institute of International Education. The organization maintains data on the number of international students as part of its Open Doors project, supported from a grant by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State.{{cite web|url = http://iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors|title = Open Doors|publisher = Institute of International Education|access-date = April 9, 2016}} The data is collected through surveys of over 3,000 accredited U.S. higher education institutions, and does not rely on any privileged access to government data. Institutions not included in the survey (such as high schools that issue student visas, and non-accredited institutions that are SEVP-certified) may be omitted from the statistics.{{cite web|url = http://iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors/FAQ|title = Open Doors FAQs|publisher = Institute of International Education|access-date = April 9, 2016}} Since the 2006–2007 academic year, these surveys have included data on usage of the Optional Practical Training program.

Since the Optional Practical Training program duration is a year for most people (though the STEM extension and cap gap allow for longer OPTs under some circumstances), the number of approvals in a given year should roughly match the number of students on Optional Practical Training. However, because of various mismatches such as that between the fiscal and academic year, and between the date of approval and the start date, and the fact that the Open Doors survey does not cover all SEVP-certified institutions, the numbers may not exactly match those from the GAO table.

The data below summarizes both total OPT usage and the usage based on country of origin for the top countries of origin. More detailed data is available at the IIE website.{{cite web |title=International Place of Origin |url=http://iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors/Data/International-Students/Place-of-Origin |access-date=May 26, 2020 |publisher=Institute of International Educators}}

• Between 2004 and 2016, there were 441,400 OPT approvals from India and 313,500 from China. India and China received 30% and 21% of all OPT approvals.
• 74% of approved OPT graduates were from the Asia-Pacific region between 2004 and 2016. Europe and Latin America/Caribbean tied with 8% each.

• The New York metropolitan area had the most OPT approvals during the same time frame, with 218,400 OPT approvals, followed by Los Angeles and Boston.{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Neil G. |date=2018-05-10 |title=Number of Foreign College Students Staying and Working in U.S. After Graduation Surges |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2018/05/10/number-of-foreign-college-students-staying-and-working-in-u-s-after-graduation-surges/ |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project |language=en-US}}
• California has the highest percentage of OPT workers, with 20.8%.

• The University of Southern California was the biggest OPT participant between 2003 and 2017, with 30,720 approvals.
• 70% of OPT participants in the U.S. graduated with a master’s degree.
• The most common field of study for OPT majors is computer science and business administration and management, both at 8.6%.

The first Bush administration created Optional Practical Training on July 20, 1992. The Justice Department created the program without public comment or notice. The 1990 Immigration Act originally created a time-limited employment pilot program for foreign students on visas.{{Cite web |last=Miano |first=John |date=2017-09-18 |title=A History of the 'Optional Practical Training' Guestworker Program |url=https://cis.org/Report/History-Optional-Practical-Training-Guestworker-Program |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=CIS.org |language=English}}

The STEM extension was announced in a memo by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on April 2, 2008, published in the Federal Register issue of Tuesday, April 8, 2008. The STEM extension appears to be directly attributable to Congressional testimony by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, March 12, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.seyfarth.com/dir_docs/publications/AttorneyPubs/A%20Rare%20Carrot%20for%20Employers.pdf|title = A Rare Carrot for Employers: F-1 Optional Practical Training Extended|last1 = Chiappari|first1 = Ted J.|last2 = Paparelli|first2 = Angelo J.|access-date = December 24, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.networkworld.com/article/2284389/infrastructure-management/bill-gates-written-transcript-from-today-s-congressional-testimony.html|title = Bill Gates written transcript from today's congressional testimony|publisher = Network World|date = March 12, 2008|access-date = December 24, 2014}}{{cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC6cSz9gRhc|title = Bill Gates Urges Congress to Foster Innovation & Immigration (video)| website=YouTube |date = March 12, 2008|access-date = December 24, 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Rachel |title=The STEM Graduate System Is Broken. Here's How to Fix It. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-opinion-optional-practical-training-problems-stem-graduates-deserve-better-jobs-opportunities/ |access-date=19 March 2021 |work=Bloomberg News |date=March 10, 2021 |language=en}} This policy changes shaped foreign students' decision to decide and obtain a STEM degree. In addition, foreign students were 18% more likely to have a STEM field degree following the 2008 policy change.{{Cite journal |last1=Amuedo-Dorantes |first1=Catalina |last2=Furtado |first2=Delia |last3=Xu |first3=Huanan |date=2019-12-01 |title=OPT policy changes and foreign born STEM talent in the U.S. |url=https://www.cream-migration.org/publ_uploads/CDP_06_19.pdf |journal=Labour Economics |language=en |volume=61 |pages=101752 |doi=10.1016/j.labeco.2019.101752 |s2cid=199899627 |issn=0927-5371}} In addition, the likelihood that a foreign student completes a STEM master's degree rose 33%.

The OPT STEM extension announced in April 2008 was challenged in a lawsuit by the Immigration Reform Law Institute filed on May 31, 2008. The organization filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of various organizations and individuals challenging the validity of the 17-month OPT extension. On August 5, 2008, the lawsuit was rejected by a New Jersey district court judge.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilw.com/immigrationdaily/cases/2008,0815-guild.pdf|title = Order and Opinion|author = New Jersey District Court|date = August 5, 2008|access-date = January 19, 2015}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.computerworld.com/article/2532232/it-personnel/judge-rejects-student-visa-injunction-sought-by-h-1b-opponents.html|title = Judge rejects student visa injunction sought by H-1B opponents. Tech workers don't have standing to fight Bush administration visa move|last = Thibodeau|first = Patrick|date = August 7, 2008|access-date = January 19, 2015|magazine = Computer World}}

A November 20, 2014 memo by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Charles Johnson outlining proposed executive action on immigration endorsed by President Barack Obama included some suggested changes to the OPT program.{{cite web|url=https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/14_1120_memo_business_actions.pdf|title = Policies Supporting U.S. High-Skilled Businesses and Workers|publisher = Department of Homeland Security|date = November 20, 2014|access-date = January 19, 2015}} The proposals were discussed and critiqued in National Law Review.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/immigration-developments-highly-skilled-workers-changes-business-community-can-expec|title = Immigration Developments for Highly Skilled Workers: Changes the Business Community Can Expect as a Result of President Obama's Executive Action on Immigration Reform|magazine = National Law Review|date = November 20, 2014|access-date = January 19, 2015|last = Cohen|first = Susan J.}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/president-obama-s-executive-immigration-reform-shining-spotlight-reforming-optional-|title = President Obama's Executive Immigration Reform: Shining a Spotlight on Reforming Optional Practical Training "OPT"|date = December 3, 2014|access-date = January 19, 2015|magazine = National Law Review|last1 = Cohen|first1 = Susan J.|last2 = Ramos|first2 = Cassie M.}}

In August 2015, a US federal court gave the green light to a lawsuit challenging the 17-month OPT STEM extension, filed by the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers and three IT workers who claimed that the OPT STEM extension had created unfair low-wage competition that had materially hurt them.{{cite web|url=https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2014cv0529-17|title = Washington Alliance of Technology Workers vs United States Department of Homeland Security|publisher = United States District Court for the District of Columbia|access-date = January 19, 2015}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.computerworld.com/article/2851852/court-okays-it-worker-lawsuit-over-student-visa-work-program.html|title = Court OKs IT worker lawsuit over student visa work program|last = Thibodeau|first = Patrick|date = November 24, 2014|access-date = January 19, 2015|magazine = Computer World}}{{cite news|url=http://humanevents.com/2014/12/03/court-ruling-challenges-obama-immigration-action/|title = Court ruling challenges Obama immigration action|last = Ward|first = Kenric|date = December 3, 2014|access-date = January 19, 2015|newspaper = Human Events}}

On August 12, 2015, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia vacated the 2008 OPT Regulations but stayed the order until February 12, 2016, later extended to May 10, 2016,{{Cite journal|title = Stem OPT Extension Judge Decision - Jan 23, 2016|url = http://www.slideshare.net/happyschools/stem-opt-extension-judge-decision-jan-23-2016|date = 2016-01-23}} to allow DHS to provide a transition. The court therefore gave the federal government a deadline and an extension to formulate new rules. The D.C. District explicitly rejected the reasoning of the New Jersey District and Third Circuit in dismissing the earlier 2008 challenge.{{Cite journal|title = 17 Months STEM OPT Extension revoked for F1 Visa Students|url = http://www.slideshare.net/happyschools/17-months-stem-opt-extension-revoked-for-f1-visa-students|date = 2015-08-13}}

The proposed rules suggested in the November 20, 2014 memo by DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson were finalized by the USCIS on March 11, 2016, to be effective May 10, 2016, just in time to address the November 2014 court challenge to the original STEM extension.{{cite web|url = https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment/stem-opt|title = Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT)|access-date = April 11, 2016|publisher = United States Citizenship and Immigration Services}}{{cite web|url = http://www.nafsa.org/Find_Resources/Supporting_International_Students_And_Scholars/ISS_Issues/STEM_OPT_Rulemaking/|title = STEM OPT Rulemaking|date = March 22, 2016|access-date = April 11, 2016|publisher = NAFSA}}{{cite web|url = https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub|title = STEM OPT|publisher = Study in the States, U.S. Department of Homeland Security|access-date = April 11, 2016}} USCIS expanded the STEM extension to two years. The agency did add a requirement that the employer attest to the non-displacement of U.S. workers, to address concerns raised in the STEM extension lawsuit challenge.{{cite web|url = https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/employers-and-the-form-i-983|title = Employers and the Form I-983|access-date = April 11, 2016|publisher = Study in the States, U.S. Department of Homeland Security}}

In April and May 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in unemployment due to the pandemic and associated government lockdowns, the administration of President Donald Trump was reported to be exploring new restrictions on OPT.{{cite web|url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2020/05/04/next-trump-immigration-target-opt-for-international-students/#382f450b45f9|title = Next Trump Immigration Target: OPT For International Students|last = Anderson|first = Stuart| website=Forbes |date = May 4, 2020|access-date = May 26, 2020}}{{cite news|url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-expected-to-limit-work-program-for-foreign-graduates-11590242401|title = Trump Administration Expected to Limit Work Program for Foreign Graduates. White House to curb popular OPT program, saying jobs should go to Americans during downturn; business groups warn move would harm growth, blunt U.S. recovery|last1 = Hackman|first1 = Michelle|last2 = Korn|first2 = Melissa| newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date = May 23, 2020|access-date = May 26, 2020}}{{cite web|url = https://www.vox.com/2020/5/24/21266920/trump-h1b-opt-visa-immigration-student|title = Trump reportedly wants to restrict visa programs for skilled workers. Some Republicans are pressuring the president to suspend the programs for a year.|date = May 24, 2020|access-date = May 26, 2020|publisher = Vox|last = Narea|first = Nicola}} However, the Trump administration ultimately left out OPT from his executive actions due to White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Coordination Chris Liddell rallying universities against any restrictions on the program.{{Cite web |last=Athey |first=Amber |date=2020-07-01 |title=The Kushner conundrum |url=https://thespectator.com/topic/jared-kushner-conundrum-scapegoat-saboteur/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=The Spectator World |language=en-US}}

Labor experts have noted that employers like to hire foreign workers on OPT because employers get a discount. Students working with OPT authorization do not pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. For employers, hiring an OPT worker amounts to a 15.3% discount per student compared to an American citizen or permanent resident.{{Cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Rachel |title=The STEM Graduate System Is Broken. Here's How to Fix It. |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-opinion-optional-practical-training-problems-stem-graduates-deserve-better-jobs-opportunities/ |access-date=2023-03-05}}

Employers receive another discount because these companies do not have to provide health insurance as OPT workers are required to maintain private health insurance.{{Cite journal |last=Grimm |first=Adam |date=October 2019 |title=Studying to Stay: Understanding Graduate Visa Policy Content and Context in the United States and Australia |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/imig.12561 |journal=International Migration |language=en |volume=57 |issue=5 |pages=235–251 |doi=10.1111/imig.12561 |s2cid=159187410 |issn=0020-7985|url-access=subscription }}

Georgetown University researchers found OPT workers are paid 41.7 percent less than equivalent U.S. workersLindsay Lowell, B., & Avato, J. (2013). The Wages of Skilled Temporary Migrants: Effects of Visa Pathways and Job Portability. International Migration, 52(3), 85–98. doi:10.1111/imig.12133 They found that in general, the student-to-temporary work visa pathway reduced earnings until these foreign students became legal permanent residents.

Critics of the Optional Practical Training program allege that the program allows for U.S companies to prefer international students who studied in United States over American college graduates.

In 2019, The Department of Labor sued Oracle Corporation favored foreign Asian graduates of U.S. colleges over American graduates.

Howard University Professor of Public Policy Ron Hira commented on the government lawsuit "Oracle is not alone in favoring foreign workers who can be paid less because they’re tied to a company by their visa or work permit. Industry’s key argument for cheaper H-1B and OPT guest workers is that there’s a shortage of U.S. talent. That argument completely falls apart in the face of these findings. In fact, the industry is using the visa programs for cheaper guest workers, undercutting U.S. workers, damaging the U.S. talent pipeline, and exacerbating its woeful record on workforce diversity.”{{Cite web |date=2019-01-26 |title=Oracle favored foreign college graduates, feds allege |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/01/25/h-1b-oracle-favored-hiring-foreign-graduates-of-u-s-colleges-over-american-grads-feds-allege/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126010059/https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/01/25/h-1b-oracle-favored-hiring-foreign-graduates-of-u-s-colleges-over-american-grads-feds-allege/ |archive-date=2019-01-26 }}

Policy scholars and detractors of OPT have noted that Congress never provided F-1 visa foreign students the ability to work besides a three-year pilot program included in the Immigration Act of 1990 that ended.Hira, Ron (February 25, 2016). ""The Impact of High-Skilled Immigration on U.S. Workers" Hearing Before The Subcommittee On Immigration And The National Interest Of The Judiciary Committee"

Journalists have pointed out that foreign STEM OPT recipients drive American STEM graduates and future STEM students away from industry through wage deflation and competition for entry-level jobs.

Some have criticized the OPT program because of a lack of government oversight. By design, only school officials review student practical training plans.

Some have critiqued the OPT program for incentivizing academic institutions to focus on international over American students. The incentive for many foreign students is to obtain work authorization in the United States, which universities take advantage of. Examples of visa mill colleges that used OPT to attract foreign students include Silicon Valley University, the University of Northern Virginia, ITU, Herguan University, and Tri-Valley.{{Cite web |last=Redden |first=Elizabeth |title='Suspect' California University Shut Down |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2018/04/23/suspect-california-university-shut-down |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=The University of Northern Virginia is ordered to close |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2013/07/23/the-university-of-northern-virginia-is-ordered-to-close-in-annandale-after-15-years/}}{{Cite web |last=Swaminathan |first=Nikhil |title=Inside the growing guest worker program trapping Indian students in virtual servitude |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/09/inside-the-growing-guest-worker-program-trapping-indian-students-in-virtual-servitude/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2011-07-16 |title=Universities or Visa Mills? |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2011/07/16/universities-or-visa-mills/ |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}

Lawmakers have expressed concerns that vulnerabilities in the work authorization program expose the United States to foreign theft of intellectual property, especially from China.{{Cite web |title=Foreign students used 'jobs' with fake firms to stay in U.S. illegally |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/thousands-foreign-students-u-s-student-visas-may-have-worked-n1109286 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=NBC News |date=2 January 2020 |language=en}}

There are concerns about fraud with the program. An investigation by NBC News found that fake companies were exploiting the foreign student guestworker program. These companies created fraudulent employment documents so foreign graduates could stay in the United States illegally. Companies such as Tellon Trading and Findream, employing 1,200 OPT graduates total in 2017, were the only companies on paper.

Labor experts have noted how the optional practical training is primarily a guestworker program for employers, not an educational one. These researchers say that OPT should be understood and categorized along with other guest worker programs such as the H-1B visa program.

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.uscis.gov/laws/8-cfr/title-8-code-federal-regulations Title 8 CFR]: Title 8 Code of Federal Regulations.
• [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD I-765]: Form I-765
• [https://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1207334008610.shtm April 2008 extension notice]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100601163525/http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/OPT_FAQ_4apr08.pdf USCIS: OPT FAQs]

Category:Employment of foreign-born people in the United States

Category:Higher education in the United States