Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment authorization granted exclusively to international students studying in the United States on an F-1 visa. OPT provides a path to long-term residency and permanency visa and green card pathways.
OPT Information for Employers
Virtual Job Fair: Join the May 1st, 10am-2pm Virtual Job Fair for International Students
EMPLOYER REGISTRATION-ND Global Talent Connect-Virtual Job Fair for International Students 
Things to know:
Legal pathway of employment for international students, within North Dakota Universities and universities from across the United States.
Employers do not need to sponsor a visa for OPT, making it a low-risk option.
OPT can cover a wide range or occupations, including STEM related fields. See the official list from USCIS for list of occupations: STEM List.xlsx
It’s important to maintain accurate records of employment for OPT participants, especially for STEM OPT.
OPT is temporary, and planning for a long-term visa (e.g. H-1B) may be necessary
Employers often transition OPT employees to long-term visa’s if they wish to retain talent, it’s important to be mindful of application timelines and caps for these visas.
More information can be found here: Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) | USCIS
OLI Resources:
OPT Information for International Students
Virtual Job Fair: Join the Join the May 1st, 10am-2pm Virtual Job Fair for International Students:
Welcome to The Virtual Event. Created with Easy Virtual Fair
Things to know:
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization for F-1 visa students.
It allows students to gain practical work experience in their field of study either before (pre-completion) or after (post-completion) graduation.
OPT is directly related to the student's major area of study.
It is a benefit of your F-1 status, not a separate visa category. You remain in F-1 status while on OPT.
Your university remains your visa sponsor; your employer does not sponsor you for OPT.
When to Apply:
Post-completion OPT: You can apply as early as 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after your program completion date. USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the date your DSO recommends OPT in your SEVIS record and signs your I-20.
Pre-completion OPT: You can apply up to 90 days before you complete one full academic year, but you cannot start working until you meet the one-year requirement. The latest USCIS should receive your application is 90 days before your intended employment start date.
STEM OPT Extension: You can apply up to 90 days before your current OPT employment authorization expires and within 60 days of your DSO's recommendation.
OLI Resources: