Post-completion OPT
Beta
United States
No employer sponsorship needed
Temporary work authorization tied to an F-1 degree, used in a field related to your studies.
Who this route is for
F-1 students who have completed, or are completing, an eligible degree program.
Typical timeline
Apply with Form I-765; USCIS processing times vary, so check the current posted times.
What this means for your job search
You can usually start work without an employer filing anything for you, which widens the set of employers you can approach.
This is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change and individual cases differ — check the official source and, where it matters, talk to an immigration attorney.