What Happens After OPT? How to Stay in the U.S. After Your F-1 OPT Expires

1. What Happens After OPT? How to Stay in the U.S. After Your F-1 OPT Expires ====================================================================== Congrats, you now have stepped down the graduation stage, landed a job under OPT and have eventually adjusted your lifestyle into adulthood in the U.S. And then… it is the countdown. The clock on your F-1 OPT (Optional Practical Training) is counting down and before you know it, you go down the rabbit hole with Reddit posts on the latest thread titled, Can I stay in the U.S. with my OPT has expired?” Deep breath. Thou art not the first, neither Wert thou the last, To put that question to me in the street. The best news? So it is possible in several ways to prolong your stay. The even more good news? We actually simplify it down into plain and fluffy terms (because it is already difficult enough to navigate the United States immigration law). Suppose we take it step by step. Stage 1: Learn What is Your 60 Day Grace Period To start with, when OPT expires you are not all of a sudden out of status. You will have a 60 days grace period to make your next move. What you can take-up during the time: ●U.S. travel. ●Pack, plan and inhale

2. ●Receive the second visa or the transfer of your SEVIS file What you cannot do: ●Work ●Earn money ●In-out of the U.S. Pro Tip: You should not have to wait until the 55th Day to make things happen. This should be taken as a cushion, not a wait period. Step 2: STEM OPT Extension — Science for the Win Since you have gotten a degree in one of the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, congratulations to you! This unlocks the STEM OPT Extension that will add 24 months into the initial 12 months of the OPT. That is 3 years full where you will work in the U.S in the F-1 visa. Of course, you have to qualify. And this is what you will require: ●You must be in the STEM Designated Degree Program List ●The employment pursuant to the requirements is one that is done on a job setting whereby your employer is a signatory to E-Verify ●Your employment opportunity should be interconnected with the sphere of your studying ●Filed within 90days of the first date expiration of the date of the OPT What’s the process? Ask your DSO (Designated School Official) for an updated I-20 ●Apply form I-765 at USCIS ●Once being filed, you are automatically provided with 180-day extension, during which you could proceed working and waiting until your application will be considered

3. ●Thereafter you have to update your DSO on lock change (employer, position, address or name change) after every six months upon obtaining approval. Tip: Utilize this time to not only work but ensure that you have a strong relationship with the employers - particularly when you wish to pursue sponsorship in the future. Step 3: H-1B Visa – The Most Common Route If you have exhausted your STEM OPT status or cannot choose it there is only one reasonable next option: the H-1B work visa which is the most popular visa pathway for international students who want to extend their time in the U.S. and continue their employment. So what is the catch? Because, depending on your HR/recruiter you may feel you are not able to satisfy this next step. It is competitive. Competitive like ticket sold-out level competitive. What is the H-1B? The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa for U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require "theoretical and practical" specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor's degree. Eligibility: A job offer from a U.S. employer The job must require at least a bachelor's degree or higher Employers must file petition on your behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Lottery System (yes that is real) The H-1B Visa has a limited number of H-1B's available each year.

4. 65,000 on a regular quota approved 20,000 additional H-1B's for U.S institutions requiring masters or higher For its 2024 season, there were more than 780,000 applications for only 85,000(35,0000 available to regular quota) slots filled. If you are selected and approved, your H-1B begins in October. In the meantime, you may be eligible for the Cap-Gap Extension, which bridges the expired OPT and your H-1B date of commencement. Pro Tip: Apply for H-1B every year you’re on OPT or STEM OPT. Your odds go up with each attempt. Step 4: Green Card – The Ultimate Long-Term Play Having a dream of living in U.S. forever? Then, the Green Card (a.k.a. Permanent Resident Card) will be your final destination. It will take a long time and a circuitous route unless you are either extremely patient or know somebody special but it will be even longer for those who come out of India or China because they are so in demand. Real Talk: The green card applications take a long time The country caps and the priority dates have a slackening effect on it The employer sponsorship or the family sponsorship will be necessary in the majority of cases Some find it easier to apply when they are on H-1B visa In nations where the number of applicants to the country is very small, take into consideration the use of Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery where applicants to green

5. cards are drawn randomly every year to a small percentage of the people that have applied. Pro Tip: Where you feel you want to apply green card, the most advisable thing you can do is: OPT-H-1B-Green card It is the fourth way that will provide you with time, employer support and a legal shield that will take you to permanent residency. Step 5: Other Visa Options You May Not Know About Didn’t get through on the H-1B lottery? Not STEM qualified? That's ok. There are some other creative visa possibility that you may not have considered: F-1 Again (Back in school) Pursue a new academic program (e.g., master or Phd) and obtain F-1 status again. You will get a fresh SEVIS ID and possibly another round of OPT. Good for if: ●You want to switch careers. ●You did not obtain an H-1B. You like the academic life (or you just needed more time on your student permit). J-1 Visa (Research & Cultural Exchange) If you are going for research, teaching, or training, the J-1 could be for you as well; it is used typically for scholars and exchange visitors.

6. It allows for: ●Up to 5 years stay based on the program. ●Cultural exchange, academic opportunity. O-1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability) Have you written an academic publication? Received an award? Been recognized in your field? Then you may qualify for an O-1A visa for "extraordinary ability" in a field of sciences, education, business, or athletics. E-2 Visa (Investor Visa) Are you from a treaty country? Want to invest in a business in the United States? The E-2 visa allows you to come to the U.S. to manage your investment You will have to meet some requirements: ●You must own at least fifty (50) percent of the business ●Must invest a substantial amount of money (varies case by case) ●You must have a passport from a treaty country (e.g., Japan, Germany, Canada, not India or China) Bonus Tip: Protect Yourself with Health Insurance Whether you are on OPT, STEM, H-1B, or switching between statuses, healthcare in the U.S. is always expensive. Even a mild visit to the ER can give you a bill larger than rent. That's why having student health insurance is a no-brainer. ISO offers tailored plans for: ●F-1 & OPT students

7. ●H-1B and dependents ●J-1 exchange visitors ●Visitors and recent graduates ●From $31/month, you can protect your wallet and your conscience. Go to isoa.org to review the plans and stay covered. Conclusion Here is your prime rule of post-OPT life: Do not wait too long! Whether you are on the path toward H-1B, going to grad school, or starting your own startup, planning ahead is critical. Speak to your employer, your DSO, possibly an immigration attorney. The U.S. visa landscape may seem daunting, but it rewards those who are proactive, persistent and informed. Your U.S. journey need not end with your OPT—if anything, your OPT can just be the beginning! Contact Us: Address: 1910 Association Dr STE 101, Reston, VA 20191, USA Phone: +1 804-454-3215 Email ID: info@optnation.com Social Media Sites https://x.com/optnation_usa https://www.facebook.com/optjob https://www.instagram.com/optnation/ https://in.pinterest.com/optnationusa/ https://www.youtube.com/@optnation6022