Optional Practical Training & STEM
To pursue work opportunities in the United States, obtaining an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is essential. However, if you are on a student visa, the avenues to secure an EAD are somewhat limited. One crucial route is through Optional Practical Training, or OPT.
OPT offers temporary employment authorization that is directly aligned with your field of study. It essentially serves as on-the-job training for your major. As an F-1 visa holder, you might be eligible for up to 12 months of work authorization within your major field.
The exciting part is that if you are studying in specific STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields, you can apply for a 24-month extension under certain conditions. This means that STEM F-1 visa holders seeking OPT can potentially receive up to a remarkable 3 years of work authorization!
Furthermore, the USCIS has recently introduced premium processing for F-1 students seeking STEM OPT, reducing the processing time for these applications to just 30 days. However, it's worth noting that it might take an additional two to three weeks following your approval notice to receive the actual EAD card, as clarified by the CIS Ombudsman in a recent communication on August 15th. It's important to understand that this 30-day processing time excludes the time required to create and mail the card to you. If, by any chance, you've filed your I-765 and haven't received your EAD after two or three weeks past your approval notice, it's advisable to seek advice from an immigration expert.
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