Can I work in the U.S. while studying?

Severely restricted. You may only work **on-campus** up to 20 hours a week while school is in session. Off-campus work in your first year is entirely illegal. After year one, you can only work off-campus if you apply for CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or suffer severe, unforeseen economic hardship.

What happens when my OPT expires?

This is the classic U.S. immigration cliff. When your OPT (or STEM OPT) expires, you must either secure an H-1B lottery slot (which your employer must petition during your OPT window), secure an O-1/L-1, enroll in a new degree program, or you have exactly a 60-day grace period to pack your belongings and leave the United States.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is authorized work *while* you are still studying, typically for internships explicitly required by your curriculum. OPT (Optional Practical Training) is typically used for full-time work *after* you permanently graduate. Danger: Using 12 months or more of full-time CPT automatically obliterates your right to any post-completion OPT.

United States

Student & Post-Study Work (OPT)

F-1 (incl. OPT / STEM OPT)

USD 535

Application Fee

30–120 days

Processing Time

60 Months

Maximum Stay

Up to 1x

Extensions

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply on the official government website

Last verified: 14 April 2026. Not legal advice.

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