What is OPT and CPT in the USA? A Complete Guide for Indian Students (2026-27)

• choose a university
• accept an internship
• or plan your post-study career path

This guide explains OPT and CPT in the USA in simple terms including:

OPT and CPT in the USA: Quick Answer

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) allows you to work during your degree as part of your academic curriculum (internships, co-ops), authorised by your university DSO.
CPT is authorised on your I-20. Both require work directly related to your field of study.

36  Maximum months of OPT for STEM graduates

90  Days allowed unemployed during standard OPT

12+ Months full-time CPT that eliminates OPT

What is OPT? Optional Practical Training — The Basics

OPT is the single most important work authorisation tool available to Indian students in the USA. It is the mechanism by which thousands of Indian graduates transition from student status to professional employment — and ultimately towards an H-1B visa and longer-term immigration pathways.

• Pre-Completion OPT: Used before you complete your degree programme. Work can be part-time (20 hours/week or less) during academic sessions, and full-time during official breaks. Time used here counts against your total 12-month OPT allowance.

• Post-Completion OPT: Used after graduation. Allows full-time work (40 hours/week) in a role related to your field of study. This is the format most Indian students use.

Maven Tip — Don’t Use Pre-Completion OPT Casually Every month of pre-completion OPT you use reduces your post-completion OPT. Most Indian students maximise value by preserving their full 12 months for post-graduation employment. Discuss this decision with your DSO and with us before acting.

OPT Duration: 12 Months Standard + 24-Month STEM Extension

• CPT has no statutory maximum duration — but crossing the 12-month full-time threshold has severe consequences.

WARNING: Full-Time CPT and OPT Forfeiture If you use 12 or more months of full-time CPT, you permanently lose all OPT eligibility. Full-time CPT = more than 20 hours per week. 12 months of full-time CPT wipes out your entire post-graduation OPT entitlement — including the STEM extension. Part-time CPT (20 hours/week or fewer) does NOT affect OPT, regardless of how many months it runs. This rule catches many Indian students off guard, especially at universities with aggressive co-op programmes.

MYTH	REALITY
I can do 2 years of paid CPT internships, then use OPT after I graduate.	If those internships were full-time CPT totalling 12+ months, your OPT is gone. You would graduate with zero post-graduation work authorisation.

Factor	OPT — Optional Practical Training	CPT — Curricular Practical Training
Who Authorises It?	USCIS (federal immigration agency)	University DSO — no USCIS involvement
Document Required	EAD card (Employment Authorisation Document)	Updated I-20 with CPT endorsement
When Can You Use It?	Before or after graduation (pre / post completion)	Only while enrolled; must be tied to a course
Processing Time	3–5 months (apply 90 days before needed)	Days to a few weeks (university internal)
Duration Limit	12 months (+ 24 months for STEM graduates)	No cap, but 12 months full-time = OPT lost
Employer Flexibility	Change employers freely (report for STEM OPT)	Employer-specific; re-authorised per change
Academic Requirement?	No — any qualifying job in your field	Yes — must satisfy a specific course requirement
Full-Time Allowed?	Yes (post-completion OPT)	Yes, but 12+ months full-time = OPT forfeited
Impact on OPT	—	Full-time CPT >= 12 months = OPT permanently lost
Best Used For	Post-graduation employment; H-1B bridge	Internships and co-ops during the degree

Which Degrees Qualify for the STEM OPT Extension?

• Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering

• Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics

• Information Technology, Information Systems (select programmes)

• Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics

• Physics, Chemistry, Atmospheric Sciences

• Business Analytics (certain accredited programmes — verify your CIP code)

MBA Students — Verify Your CIP Code Before Assuming STEM Eligibility Some MBA programmes with a quantitative or analytics focus may qualify for STEM OPT; many do not. Your eligibility depends on the CIP code assigned to your specific programme — not the school’s ranking or reputation. Confirm with your DSO before banking on the STEM extension.

E-Verify: The Critical Employer Requirement for STEM OPT

• Verify E-Verify enrolment before accepting any job offer during STEM OPT 

• Report employer changes to your DSO within 10 days 

• Your employer must sign a Training Plan (Form I-983) outlining how the work develops your skills 

• Report your employment status to your DSO every 6 months 

How OPT and CPT Affect Your H-1B and Green Card Path

OPT as the Bridge to H-1B

1. Graduate and begin OPT — 12 months of work authorisation begins. 

2. Apply for STEM OPT extension (if eligible) — extend to 36 months total. 

3. Employer files H-1B petition in April — typically in Year 1, 2, or 3 of OPT, depending on lottery outcomes. 

5. H-1B begins October 1st — you transition from F-1/OPT status to H-1B status. Your employer can then begin the Green Card (EB-2 or EB-3) process. 

Cap-Gap Important Note The cap-gap extension only applies if you are selected in the H-1B lottery. If you are not selected in a given year, you must continue on STEM OPT (if months remain) or make alternative arrangements. This is why having 36 months of OPT — rather than just 12 — is so strategically valuable for Indian students facing the H-1B lottery.

Common OPT and CPT Mistakes Indian Students Make in the USA

Mistake 1: Applying for OPT Too Late

MYTH	REALITY
Waiting until after graduation to apply for OPT because ‘my professor said it’s fine.’	Apply up to 90 days before your graduation. USCIS takes 3-5 months. A late application means you graduate without an EAD card and cannot legally work.

Mistake 2: Working Before the EAD Card Arrives 

Mistake 3: Working for a Non-E-Verify Employer During STEM OPT

Indian students often receive job offers from startups or smaller firms that are not E-Verify registered. During standard OPT this is acceptable. During STEM OPT, it is not. Always confirm E-Verify status — and request the Employer Identification Number to verify independently — before accepting an offer during your STEM extension period.

Mistake 4: Exceeding the Unemployment Limit

• Standard OPT: Maximum 90 cumulative days of unemployment. Day 91 = F-1 status violation. 

• STEM OPT: Maximum 150 cumulative days total across both OPT periods. 

• Freelance work, self-employment, and unpaid volunteer work may or may not count as ’employment’ depending on the nature of the work. Get DSO guidance before assuming. 

Mistake 6: Choosing the Wrong Field of Employment

Maven Tip — Document the Connection Between Your Job and Your Degree Keep a written record of how your job duties relate to your field of study. If your DSO or USCIS questions the connection, this documentation can be the difference between maintaining valid status and an immigration violation.

FOUNDER PERSPECTIVE · RAJSHEKAR TUBACHI 

---

FAQs — OPT and CPT in the USA for Indian Students

OPT (Optional Practical Training) allows F-1 students to work in a job related to their field of study before or after graduation, with a maximum of 12 months (plus 24 months STEM extension) approved by USCIS. CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is work authorisation embedded into the curriculum — authorised by your university DSO, not USCIS.

2. Can I work in the USA after completing my Master’s degree as an Indian student?

Yes. Indian students who graduate with an F-1 visa can apply for post-completion OPT, which allows 12 months of full-time work authorisation. If your degree is in a STEM field, you can apply for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension — giving you up to 36 months of work authorisation in the USA.

3. How long is the STEM OPT extension and which degrees qualify?

The STEM OPT extension grants an additional 24 months beyond the standard 12-month OPT. Qualifying degrees include Computer Science, all engineering disciplines, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Biotechnology, Physics, and others on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. Verify your specific CIP code with your DSO.

4. Does full-time CPT affect my OPT eligibility?

Yes — and this is a critical trap. If you use 12 or more cumulative months of full-time CPT (defined as more than 20 hours per week), you permanently lose your entire OPT eligibility. Part-time CPT (20 hours or fewer per week) does not affect OPT, regardless of how long it runs.

5. When should I apply for OPT and how long does it take?

You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before your programme end date. USCIS typically takes 3-5 months to process the application, so applying early is essential. Your OPT start date cannot be more than 60 days after your programme end date. Never wait until after graduation to begin the process.

6. Can I change employers during OPT?

During standard OPT you can change employers as long as the new job is directly related to your field of study — inform your DSO. During STEM OPT, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you must report any employer changes to your DSO within 10 days via your SEVIS record.

7. How does OPT connect to the H-1B visa for Indian students?

OPT serves as the bridge between your F-1 student status and an H-1B work visa. Your employer files the H-1B petition during the annual April lottery window while you are on OPT. If selected, the cap-gap rule automatically extends your OPT until October 1st, ensuring no gap in your legal status or employment authorisation.

8. What happens if I am unemployed during OPT?

During standard OPT you are allowed a total of 90 cumulative days of unemployment. During STEM OPT, this extends to 150 cumulative days across both OPT periods combined. Exceeding these limits violates your F-1 status, which can have serious immigration consequences.

---

Planning to Study in the USA? Get Your OPT Strategy Right — Before You Apply.

---

---