Hello, I have one doubt, if you feel you might get offer just few weeks before graduation, should I wait to apply for EAD-card through premium processing than to blindly take a date earlier. Also, how much difference the premium processing makes to deliver the EAD card. Thanks!
Thank you so much for a crystal clear explanation. Would love to hear about your experience on OPT or maybe someone that you know. How easy it is to get a job offer, would you most likely have to move to a big city or a different state, if you have any advice that would be helpful for someone who is looking for a job offer, if certain majors are more likely to get a job offer etc. Just really curious about your own experience or someone you know. I study in a very small university and with no cities around. There are only two big companies and a lot of small ones who don't even know what OPT is. I am afraid I am going to have to move to Detroit or Chicago which I don't want to do.
How easy or how difficult your experience will be depends on so many factors to be honest. The most important in my experience is the effectiveness of your job search strategy. Of course there are certain majors (like STEM majors) that might have is slightly easier. But even with a STEM major nothing is guaranteed. Check out our recent video here of the top industries hiring international students and stay tuned for more: ua-cam.com/video/Xw_8eZnlTIg/v-deo.html
I'd like to ask if I can take an early start date for my OPT. I am graduating on May 9th, and my employer wants me to start on May 5th. My other question is, if I apply right now, what are the chances of getting my EAD on time? Should I pay approximately $1600 and go for a priority case? Thank you in advance!
I still am confused . Like if I allply opt 45 days after graduation then am I still ligal to stay upto 90 days n once I'm out of university coz 45 days after graduation means I'm out of uni so then how can u apply n does it need uni involvment
Thank you for sharing the information. I have a question for you: I have 28 days remaining in my OPT unemployment period, which has now reached a total of 90 days. I am interested in reapplying for a different major at my alma mater and continuing my studies there. The new academic term begins in September. Would it be possible to transition back to an F1 visa from OPT in order to maintain my stay in the United States? Is this feasible?
While on the OPT, you're still considered to be in F1 status. Thus the transition is not complex, if you choose to return to a full course of study. The DSO at the new school can straighten this transition out for you based on your personal circumstance.
@@SojourningScholar Thank you very much for your reply, do I have to complete the re-enrollment application before the OPT unemployment period expires. If the unemployment period exceeds 90 days, is it impossible to resume F1 and must leave the United States. Is this understanding correct?
Hi!!! Thank you for the info!! Can I travel while I am waiting for my opt card? I finish my program in December and have a trip on November, I will arrive back on Nov 24th. I am wondering if I can apply before my trip? Thanks 🙏
Yes you can. But honestly, you should apply right away! The earlier the better, as USCIS processing time for the OPT could take longer than the typical 3 months. Get started choosing your OPT start date by using our FREE OPT Calculator tool here: sojourningscholar.com/opt-start-date-calculator/ Cheers!
Absolutely! The best case scenario is to have a job offer months before you're allowed to apply for post-completion OPT (the type of OPT you can apply for 3 months before you graduate). But this is not the case for most F-1 students applying for post-completion OPT, so I highly recommend that F-1 students apply for post-completion OPT very early even if they still have not got a job offer.
@@SojourningScholar I have another question. What if I choose to do my Masters after my OPT, what would I indicate on the employment form when asked if I need sponsorship?
You can explain that you don't currently need sponsorship to begin working but that you would need sponsorship at some point in the future after your OPT period is over. That's the best answer.
Hey bro, your video is very informative. I have a doubt in post completion OPT, if we don't have a job offer, are we forced to start our opt right after our graduation or can we select any date among the given grace period of 60 days ???? Also, if EAD expires before OPT , do we have to renew it again / yearly ? Thanks in advance
Thanks you! When you apply for OPT you will be choosing a start date - which must be no later than the 60 day grace period. Once your OPT EAD application is approved, you can't change this start date. EAD is given for the duration of your post completion OPT (which is 12 months). Once this EAD expires, your post completion OPT expires. Unless you qualify for STEM OPT, in which case you can renew your OPT for an additional 24 months. If you don't qualify for STEM OPT, then you can't renew it. You can learn more about the different work authorization for international students in this video: ua-cam.com/play/PLsHMBI0OZUdWSpgh4n0RtPV9qcu0Qb_Gf.html
Brother , I have a doubt . After graduating our masters , we will get opt .we have to fill the form for opt (12 months ) , in which we have to mention the starting date of our employment, right ? . Here , this start date is the actual start date which has been mentioned in our EAD card or EAD start date and opt start date will differ ?? Please clarify my doubt , is EAD card start date is same as the start date which we have mentioned in our opt form ??? Thanks in advance.
Have a question. Say I apply for my opt 30days(1st January) after graduation and I chose the latest date to start working (which is the 30th day after the date I applied if I'm not mistaken, say Feb 1st). And it takes like 5months to finish processing and receiving my EAD card (receives card June). Q1. Am I still legal to stay in the US within the processing period (January - June)? Q2. Will my EAD card state the date I chose to start working (Feb 1st)? Or a later date since I'll already have 90days of unemployment which will be during the processing time Thank you.
1. Yes, once you apply for OPT and USCIS receives your application, you are allowed to remain in the US until your OPT is either approved or denied. 2. Your card will have your start date of Feb 1st. It can't start any later than 60 days after your graduation. Your 90 days of unemployment does not start until your OPT card has been delivered & your EAD card start date has been reached, which in this case will be on or after Feb 1st. Check out this video on Question #2: ua-cam.com/video/LKRX4Smbg0M/v-deo.html
@@SojourningScholar okay, thanks so much. Also, just to clarify (on Q2) Say I received my card July 1st (the start date was Feb 1st), and I'm unemployed, then the 90days of unemployment starts counting from July 1st right?
I have a question, should in case the students is not able to find a job after graduation and before the 60 days grace period is about to end. What will be the process to transfer to another University without going out of USA just to be in a legal status? How long with will the transfer process take if I already have an acceptance letter from that University to get an higher degree?
The SEVIS transfer process is pretty quick actually. In my experience, this was completed within 1 week once all the requirements for the transfer were provided.
Get started choosing your OPT start date by using our FREE OPT Calculator tool here: sojourningscholar.com/opt-start-date-calculator/
I don’t understand why you don’t have a million followers.😭
LOL.... I'm just here to be of service. Thanks!
Please is it okay to pick opt start date 60 days after graduation?
I want to give myself more time to study and write my nclex before I start .
This was so useful. Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Very precise and informative. Thank you for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
God bless you sir.. best UA-cam channel .. I’m glad I found ur. Channel
Thanks and welcome
Hello,
I have one doubt, if you feel you might get offer just few weeks before graduation, should I wait to apply for EAD-card through premium processing than to blindly take a date earlier. Also, how much difference the premium processing makes to deliver the EAD card. Thanks!
Watch our video on OPT Premium Processing. It's always best to apply for OPT early!
Very useful thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for a crystal clear explanation. Would love to hear about your experience on OPT or maybe someone that you know. How easy it is to get a job offer, would you most likely have to move to a big city or a different state, if you have any advice that would be helpful for someone who is looking for a job offer, if certain majors are more likely to get a job offer etc. Just really curious about your own experience or someone you know.
I study in a very small university and with no cities around. There are only two big companies and a lot of small ones who don't even know what OPT is. I am afraid I am going to have to move to Detroit or Chicago which I don't want to do.
How easy or how difficult your experience will be depends on so many factors to be honest. The most important in my experience is the effectiveness of your job search strategy. Of course there are certain majors (like STEM majors) that might have is slightly easier. But even with a STEM major nothing is guaranteed.
Check out our recent video here of the top industries hiring international students and stay tuned for more: ua-cam.com/video/Xw_8eZnlTIg/v-deo.html
Thanks for the video dude
You bet!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
📕 Get your FREE F1-OPT DOWNLOADABLE CHECKLIST: sojourningscholar.com/free-5-...
Nice one!
Thanks Houssam!
I'd like to ask if I can take an early start date for my OPT. I am graduating on May 9th, and my employer wants me to start on May 5th.
My other question is, if I apply right now, what are the chances of getting my EAD on time? Should I pay approximately $1600 and go for a priority case?
Thank you in advance!
That'll be a violation.
I still am confused . Like if I allply opt 45 days after graduation then am I still ligal to stay upto 90 days n once I'm out of university coz 45 days after graduation means I'm out of uni so then how can u apply n does it need uni involvment
Applying early is ideal!
Is this opt 90 days and 60 days rule for US Citizens as well?? Guide
OPT is for foreign students not US citizens
Thank you so much
You're most welcome!
I got job starts on August 21, and I have already applied for the opt. What I should do next?
If your OPT start date is in August, then you'll be fine.
Thank you
You're welcome
Thank you for sharing the information. I have a question for you: I have 28 days remaining in my OPT unemployment period, which has now reached a total of 90 days. I am interested in reapplying for a different major at my alma mater and continuing my studies there. The new academic term begins in September. Would it be possible to transition back to an F1 visa from OPT in order to maintain my stay in the United States? Is this feasible?
While on the OPT, you're still considered to be in F1 status. Thus the transition is not complex, if you choose to return to a full course of study. The DSO at the new school can straighten this transition out for you based on your personal circumstance.
@@SojourningScholar Thank you very much for your reply, do I have to complete the re-enrollment application before the OPT unemployment period expires. If the unemployment period exceeds 90 days, is it impossible to resume F1 and must leave the United States. Is this understanding correct?
Hi!!! Thank you for the info!!
Can I travel while I am waiting for my opt card?
I finish my program in December and have a trip on November, I will arrive back on Nov 24th. I am wondering if I can apply before my trip? Thanks 🙏
Yes you can. But honestly, you should apply right away! The earlier the better, as USCIS processing time for the OPT could take longer than the typical 3 months. Get started choosing your OPT start date by using our FREE OPT Calculator tool here: sojourningscholar.com/opt-start-date-calculator/
Cheers!
So do you suggest that that I should apply for a job first even before applying for OPT?
Absolutely! The best case scenario is to have a job offer months before you're allowed to apply for post-completion OPT (the type of OPT you can apply for 3 months before you graduate). But this is not the case for most F-1 students applying for post-completion OPT, so I highly recommend that F-1 students apply for post-completion OPT very early even if they still have not got a job offer.
@@SojourningScholar I have another question. What if I choose to do my Masters after my OPT, what would I indicate on the employment form when asked if I need sponsorship?
You can explain that you don't currently need sponsorship to begin working but that you would need sponsorship at some point in the future after your OPT period is over. That's the best answer.
Hey bro, your video is very informative.
I have a doubt in post completion OPT, if we don't have a job offer, are we forced to start our opt right after our graduation or can we select any date among the given grace period of 60 days ????
Also, if EAD expires before OPT , do we have to renew it again / yearly ? Thanks in advance
Thanks you! When you apply for OPT you will be choosing a start date - which must be no later than the 60 day grace period.
Once your OPT EAD application is approved, you can't change this start date. EAD is given for the duration of your post completion OPT (which is 12 months).
Once this EAD expires, your post completion OPT expires. Unless you qualify for STEM OPT, in which case you can renew your OPT for an additional 24 months. If you don't qualify for STEM OPT, then you can't renew it.
You can learn more about the different work authorization for international students in this video: ua-cam.com/play/PLsHMBI0OZUdWSpgh4n0RtPV9qcu0Qb_Gf.html
@@SojourningScholar thanks brother :)
Brother , I have a doubt .
After graduating our masters , we will get opt .we have to fill the form for opt (12 months ) , in which we have to mention the starting date of our employment, right ? . Here , this start date is the actual start date which has been mentioned in our EAD card or EAD start date and opt start date will differ ?? Please clarify my doubt , is EAD card start date is same as the start date which we have mentioned in our opt form ???
Thanks in advance.
Yup!! They are exactly the same.
@@SojourningScholar if its same they,so what if i apply today and I recive my card 5 month latter? do I miss 5 month of the one year opt time?
can u apply for opt while studying, I mean on your first year?
Yes you can, after completing 1 year of academic studies as an active F1 student.
@@SojourningScholar thank you for replying!
Have a question.
Say I apply for my opt 30days(1st January) after graduation and I chose the latest date to start working (which is the 30th day after the date I applied if I'm not mistaken, say Feb 1st).
And it takes like 5months to finish processing and receiving my EAD card (receives card June).
Q1. Am I still legal to stay in the US within the processing period
(January - June)?
Q2. Will my EAD card state the date I chose to start working (Feb 1st)?
Or a later date since I'll already have 90days of unemployment which will be during the processing time
Thank you.
1. Yes, once you apply for OPT and USCIS receives your application, you are allowed to remain in the US until your OPT is either approved or denied.
2. Your card will have your start date of Feb 1st. It can't start any later than 60 days after your graduation. Your 90 days of unemployment does not start until your OPT card has been delivered & your EAD card start date has been reached, which in this case will be on or after Feb 1st.
Check out this video on Question #2: ua-cam.com/video/LKRX4Smbg0M/v-deo.html
@@SojourningScholar okay, thanks so much.
Also, just to clarify (on Q2)
Say I received my card July 1st (the start date was Feb 1st), and I'm unemployed, then the 90days of unemployment starts counting from July 1st right?
Yes your 90 day unemployment will start counting on July 1st, even though your OPT start date is February 1st.
Thank you!!
You're the best man.
Keep up the good work
I have a question, should in case the students is not able to find a job after graduation and before the 60 days grace period is about to end. What will be the process to transfer to another University without going out of USA just to be in a legal status? How long with will the transfer process take if I already have an acceptance letter from that University to get an higher degree?
The SEVIS transfer process is pretty quick actually. In my experience, this was completed within 1 week once all the requirements for the transfer were provided.