OPT visa - when should I apply ?

[RoseSouDeJ 0]

Hello everyone,

I am stuying Master in Business Administration in U.S. for the past 6 months.

My F1 visa is valid through 2016 however, I wonder when am I able to start working and switch F1 visa to OPT visa ?

It needs to be done by the student or by the school ?

What is the validity of OPT visas ?

Many thanks for clarify my doubts.

[newacct 688]

OPT is F1. If you need to enter the country on OPT, you will still use an F1 visa.

[Harsh_77 718]

OPT is Optional Practical Training – you are allowed to stay in country for 1 year after completion of your course to gain optional real life experience.

To do that you are given an OPT for 1 year, when you ready to graduate you will have to work with your school’s international office and they would put in another i-20 for OPT.

[RoseSouDeJ 0]

OPT is Optional Practical Training – you are allowed to stay in country for 1 year after completion of your course to gain optional real life experience.

To do that you are given an OPT for 1 year, when you ready to graduate you will have to work with your school’s international office and they would put in another i-20 for OPT.

Thank you for your answer.

I heard that after completing 9 months of studying I would be allowed to have the OPT to gain real life experience, so I could work part-time and dont interrupt my studies. Is that true ?

Once you get this permission, and knowing that OPT is F1, would the lenght of my visa change ?

Thanks again and have a greatday !

OPT is F1. If you need to enter the country on OPT, you will still use an F1 visa.

Thank you !

[rangers_texas 2]

Thank you for your answer.

I heard that after completing 9 months of studying I would be allowed to have the OPT to gain real life experience, so I could work part-time and dont interrupt my studies. Is that true ?

Once you get this permission, and knowing that OPT is F1, would the lenght of my visa change ?

Thanks again and have a greatday !

Thank you !

My OPT took 4 months to get here.

[RoseSouDeJ 0]

My OPT took 4 months to get here.

Thanks Rangers_Texas.

May I ask you where were you in terms of course's length when you applied for the OPT ? Did you finished your course or you asked for it before it finished ?

Also, did you get a job before receiving the OPT or you have to wait for it in order to start looking for work experience ?

Thanks again for your advise !

It means a lot to me !

[rangers_texas 2]

Thanks Rangers_Texas.

May I ask you where were you in terms of course's length when you applied for the OPT ? Did you finished your course or you asked for it before it finished ?

Also, did you get a job before receiving the OPT or you have to wait for it in order to start looking for work experience ?

Thanks again for your advise !

It means a lot to me !

As far as I know you need to graduate to be eligible for OPT. You can start looking for jobs but obviously cannot start before you receive your EAD card.

[RoseSouDeJ 0]

As far as I know you need to graduate to be eligible for OPT. You can start looking for jobs but obviously cannot start before you receive your EAD card.

Thank you so such.

I have a good year then ; )