In Progress

2) OPT Management (The Most Fragile Phase)

Manage OPT risks (have a playbook ready)

OPT is fragile. If your application is pending, avoid international travel—you might not get back in. If you get laid off, you have 10 days to report it and your unemployment clock restarts. Immediately find volunteer work to stop the bleeding while you search. Before your OPT ends, you need a plan: STEM OPT extension (if eligible), a new degree program, or an H-1B petition filed before April 1st (which gives you 'cap-gap' protection). Never let your OPT expire without a next step in motion.

During the Semester: You are limited to 20 hours per week.
Pro-Tip: This is a total for all jobs combined. If you have a job at the library and another at the campus cafe, the total must be 20 or less.
You cannot work 10 hours this week and 30 next week. If you hit 21 hours in a single week, you’ve technically violated your visa.
During Breaks: When school is officially out, think Summer vacation, Winter break, or Spring break, you can work full-time (40+ hours per week) as long as you plan to enroll for the next semester.

Free Resource: F-1 Student Work Hour Limits (Official ICE)

Resources

Record your progress

Mark this subsection complete to track your progress.