Student Visa · 18 min read · Updated February 10, 2026
F-1 Student Visa & OPT
Guide for international students on maintaining F-1 status and navigating Optional Practical Training (OPT).
What is the F-1 Visa?
The F-1 visa is the primary **nonimmigrant student visa** for international students pursuing academic studies in the United States at accredited colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, or other qualifying academic institutions.
**Key features:**
• Must be enrolled **full-time** in a SEVP-certified school.
• Duration of status (D/S) — you can stay as long as you maintain valid student status.
• **Limited work authorization** during studies (on-campus, CPT, OPT).
• Must demonstrate **nonimmigrant intent** (intent to return home after studies).
• Must maintain a valid **SEVIS record** through your Designated School Official (DSO).
• Must demonstrate ability to **financially support** yourself during your studies.
Maintaining F-1 Status
Maintaining valid F-1 status is critical. Violations can result in deportation and bars on future entry.
**Requirements:**
• **Full-time enrollment:** Generally 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduates, 9 for graduates.
• **Academic progress:** Make normal progress toward completing your degree.
• **Employment restrictions:** Only work on-campus (20 hrs/week during school, full-time during breaks) unless authorized for OPT or CPT.
• **Valid passport:** Keep your passport valid at least 6 months into the future.
• **Report changes:** Notify your DSO of any changes in address, major, or funding within 10 days.
• **Transfer procedures:** Follow proper transfer procedures if changing schools.
**Reduced Course Load:** In limited circumstances, your DSO can authorize a reduced course load (medical reasons, final semester, academic difficulties in the first semester).
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is temporary employment authorization that is **directly related to your major area of study**. There are two types:
**Pre-Completion OPT:**
• Available after 1 full academic year of enrollment.
• While school is in session: **20 hours per week maximum**.
• During annual breaks: **full-time** is permitted.
• Part-time pre-completion OPT is deducted from the 12-month post-completion OPT at a rate of 50%.
**Post-Completion OPT:**
• Up to **12 months** of full-time employment after completing your degree.
• Must apply between 90 days before and 60 days after your program end date.
• USCIS must receive your application within **30 days** of your DSO recommending OPT in SEVIS.
• **90-day unemployment limit:** If you accumulate 90+ days of unemployment during OPT, you lose your status.
• Employment must be directly related to your major field of study.
24-Month STEM OPT Extension
Students who earn a degree in a **STEM-designated field** from a SEVP-certified school may apply for an additional **24 months** of OPT, for a total of **36 months** of work authorization.
**Requirements:**
• Your degree must be on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list.
• Your employer must be enrolled in **E-Verify**.
• You must have a formal **training plan** (Form I-983) developed with your employer.
• You must report to your DSO every **6 months** (self-evaluation).
• **Unemployment limit increases to 150 days** (aggregate of initial + STEM extension).
**Eligible degrees include:**
• Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry
• Data Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity
• Many interdisciplinary STEM fields
**Important:** You can use STEM OPT extension based on a **prior STEM degree** if your current degree is not STEM, as long as your employment is related to the prior STEM degree.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is employment authorization for F-1 students when the work is an **integral part of the established curriculum** (co-op, internship, practicum).
**Key rules:**
• Must have been enrolled for at least **1 full academic year** (graduate students with immediate CPT requirement are exempt).
• Must be authorized by your DSO **before** starting work.
• Can be **part-time** (20 hrs/week or less) or **full-time** (more than 20 hrs/week).
• **12 months or more of full-time CPT eliminates post-completion OPT eligibility.**
• Part-time CPT does **not** affect OPT eligibility.
• No USCIS filing required — authorized by your school's DSO.
**Strategy tip:** Use part-time CPT during the academic year for internships and save full-time OPT for after graduation.
Cap-Gap Extension
The cap-gap provision protects F-1 students transitioning to H-1B status.
**How it works:** If you are on post-completion OPT (or STEM OPT) and your employer files a timely, cap-subject H-1B petition:
• Your F-1 status and work authorization are **automatically extended** until **October 1** (the start date of the H-1B fiscal year).
• This covers the gap between when your OPT ends and when H-1B starts.
**Requirements:**
• The H-1B petition must be filed **before your OPT expires**.
• It must be a cap-subject petition (not cap-exempt).
• If the H-1B petition is denied, withdrawn, or revoked, the cap-gap extension terminates.
**If the H-1B is selected but not yet approved:**
• You can continue working under cap-gap protection until the petition is adjudicated or October 1, whichever comes first.
Dependents (F-2)
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of F-1 students can obtain **F-2 dependent status**.
**Important limitations:**
• F-2 dependents are **not** authorized to work under any circumstances.
• F-2 dependents **cannot** obtain an EAD.
• F-2 spouses can study part-time (not full-time degree programs).
• F-2 children can attend school (K-12) full-time.
**If your spouse wants to work or study full-time:** They would need to obtain their own F-1 visa, H-1B, or another qualifying status.
Regulatory Citations and Legal Basis
INA — Section 101(a)(15)(F)(i)An alien having a residence in a foreign country which he has no intention of abandoning, who is a bona fide student qualified to pursue a full course of study.
8 CFR — Section 214.2(f)(10)Practical training may be authorized to an F-1 student who has been lawfully enrolled on a full time basis, in a Service-approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one full academic year.
8 CFR — Section 214.2(f)(11)(i)(C)STEM OPT extension: An F-1 student who received a STEM degree may apply for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT.
8 CFR — Section 214.2(f)(5)(vi)Cap-gap extension: An F-1 student who is the beneficiary of an H-1B petition shall be deemed to be in valid F-1 status through the start date of the H-1B.
Common Questions
When should I apply for post-completion OPT?
You can apply as early as 90 days before your program end date and up to 60 days after. However, USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of your DSO recommending OPT in SEVIS. Apply as early as possible — processing can take 3-5 months.
Can I work while studying on an F-1 visa?
On-campus employment is permitted (up to 20 hours/week during school, full-time during breaks). Off-campus work requires CPT authorization (curriculum-related) or OPT authorization (post-graduation). Unauthorized employment is a serious status violation.
What happens if I can't find a job during OPT?
You have a 90-day aggregate unemployment limit during initial OPT (150 days during STEM OPT). Unemployment counts any day you are not employed. If you exceed the limit, your OPT and F-1 status terminate. Volunteer work and unpaid internships may count as employment if directly related to your major.
Can I change my major on F-1?
Yes, but you must notify your DSO and receive a new I-20 reflecting the change. If you're on OPT, your employment must be related to your major — changing your major after starting OPT could create complications.
Can I transfer schools on F-1?
Yes. You must notify your current school, be accepted by the new SEVP-certified school, and complete the SEVIS transfer within the required timeframe. You must enroll at the new school within 5 months of transferring or your status terminates.
What is the STEM OPT training plan?
Form I-983 is a training plan developed between you and your employer. It outlines your learning objectives, how the employer will supervise and train you, and how the employment relates to your STEM degree. Your employer must be E-Verify enrolled and the plan must be signed by both you and a supervisor.