Under the Optional Practical Training, MBA students on an F1 visa are authorized to work in the U.S. for a period of up to twelve months while studying or on completion of the course.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is periods during which undergraduate and graduate students with F-1 status that have completed or have been pursuing their degrees.

It is permitted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work for at most one year on a student visa towards getting practical training to complement their field of studies.

F-1 students are usually permitted a total of 12 months of practical training.

Eligibility for OTP

To be eligible for the 12-month permit, any degree in any field of studies is valid.

For the 17-month OPT extension, a student must have received a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics degree in one of the approved majors listed on the USCIS website.

Types of OPT

There are two types of OPT:

1. Pre-completion OPT:

In this type people currently pursuing degree programs acquire work authorization to do work related to their field of study.

The work may be part-time during academic quarters and full-time during vacations.

2. Post-completion OPT:

In this type people who have completed their degree requirements, and requires working at least 20 hours/week to count as OPT employment

3. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)