Optional Practical Training
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a USCIS program that allows international students in F-1 or M-1 status who have completed certain programs to apply for a temporary work permit, known as an employment authorization document (EAD).
OPT requires eligible students to seek employment in a field related to their major. Employment can be valid for up to 12 months before or after completing their program.
Cap-Gap
The concept of "cap gap" refers to F-1 students who are currently working for a U.S. employer on OPT and who have a pending H-1B petition with USCIS. If the student was selected in that fiscal year's H-1B lottery and their EAD expires before the H-1B fiscal year begins on October 1st, their OPT status will automatically remain valid until their status changes to H-1B.
Example: An employee is working on OPT and has an EAD card that expires on July 15, 2024. Her employer entered her in the H-1B lottery and her application was selected. An H-1B petition was submitted to USCIS on June 1, 2024 with a proposed start date of October 1, 2024 - the earliest start date of the fiscal year. Through premium processing, the petition was approved on July 1, 2024. The employee will be allowed to continue working in OPT status beyond July 15th through September 30th so long as she does not leave the U.S. Her status will automatically change to H-1B on October 1st.
STEM Extension
F-1 students in OPT status who gradated from a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer, Math) program may be eligible for an extension of their EAD for an additional two years (24 months) beyond the expiration of their initial 12-month EAD. This means thet STEM graduates potentially have up to 3 years of OPT rather than just 1 year.
In addition to graduating with a STEM major, the employer must also be registered with E-Verify.
Curricular Practical Training
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is similar to OPT with key highlights including:
- The training must relate directly to the student’s major
- The training program takes place before the student’s program end date, as opposed to after completion
- The student can only work for one employer and for a specified period of time
- Student must be offered the employment before CPT can be authorized
- Any time used on CPT will be deducted from post-completion OPT
