Initial OPT allows unpaid work and has minimum requirements for employers. However, the STEM OPT Extension requires paid employment and E-Verified employer.
After completing their studies in the U.S., many international students seek employment through OPT, followed by applying for an H-1B visa and eventually a green card. Thus, securing a job through OPT is a crucial step for international students aiming to work in the U.S.
Before starting your job search, it is important to understand the OPT employment requirements, particularly those related to employers and salaries.
Initial OPT
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The first year of OPT comes with minimal restrictions. Nearly any U.S.-registered company qualifies as an OPT employer. However, your job must be related to your field of study.
- You have flexibility in the type of employment you choose, whether it is a full-time job, a part-time job, or an internship. There are no salary requirements; even unpaid internships and volunteer positions can qualify. Therefore, OPT employers can be either for-profit companies or various nonprofit organizations such as schools, social welfare agencies, and unions.
- If the job market is poor when you graduate, consider starting with a nonprofit organization that has lower job requirements. This allows you to gain work experience while continuing your job search.
- It is important to note that OPT requires you to work at least 20 hours per week. Some nonprofit jobs might not meet this requirement, but you can work for multiple organizations simultaneously to fulfill this requirement.
STEM OPT Extension
If you have a STEM degree, you can obtain two additional years of OPT, known as the STEM OPT Extension. In addition to the requirements for initial OPT, the STEM OPT Extension has further restrictions:
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Paid employment: The STEM OPT Extension requires paid employment. Therefore, unpaid internships or volunteer work will not qualify.
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E-Verify: Employers for the STEM OPT Extension must participate in E-Verify, a system that verifies an employee’s immigration status and tax information to ensure they are eligible to work in the U.S. legally. Only about 1% of U.S. employers are E-Verified. To check if an employer is E-Verified, visit the official website or confirm directly with the employer.