STEM OPT Eligibility Checker Verificador de Elegibilidad STEM OPT ? STEM OPT Extension STEM OPT adds 24 months to your 12-month OPT if your degree is on the STEM list. Total: 36 months of work authorization.
Check if your degree qualifies for the 24-month extension
Verifique si su titulo califica para la extension de 24 meses
Enter your degree information to check STEM OPT eligibility.
Ingrese la informacion de su titulo para verificar elegibilidad STEM OPT.
Cap-Gap Calculator Calculadora Cap-Gap ? What is Cap-Gap? If your H-1B is selected in the lottery, Cap-Gap automatically extends your OPT/F-1 status until Oct 1 when H-1B starts. No separate application needed.
Will your OPT cover the gap until H-1B starts?
Su OPT cubrira hasta que inicie H-1B?
Enter your OPT dates and H-1B lottery information.
Ingrese sus fechas OPT e informacion de loteria H-1B.
Post-Graduation Options Comparison Comparacion de Opciones Post-Graduacion ? Beyond H-1B H-1B lottery is only 11%. Compare all options: O-1A, EB-2 NIW, cap-exempt employers, and returning home to work remotely.
H-1B vs O-1A vs EB-2 NIW vs cap-exempt vs return home
H-1B vs O-1A vs EB-2 NIW vs exento vs regresar
Select your priorities to see personalized pathway recommendations.
Seleccione sus prioridades para ver recomendaciones personalizadas.
The F-1 visa is for full-time academic students at accredited institutions. You maintain status by maintaining full course load, making normal academic progress, and not working without authorization.
La visa F-1 es para estudiantes academicos de tiempo completo en instituciones acreditadas. Mantiene el estatus manteniendo carga completa de cursos, progreso academico normal, y sin trabajar sin autorizacion.
F-1 Challenges vs Solutions Desafios F-1 vs Soluciones
- FY2025 had 780,000+ registrations
- Only 85,000 regular cap slots
- Multiple registration fraud crackdowns
- Can only try once per employer per year
- Apply with multiple employers (legal)
- Target cap-exempt employers (universities)
- Build O-1A case while on OPT
- Start EB-2 NIW petition early
- Consider L-1 via multinational company
- Trump admin reviewing STEM OPT regulations
- Legal challenges to the program
- Could be modified or eliminated
- Enhanced compliance enforcement
- Apply for STEM OPT immediately if eligible
- Get I-983 Training Plan completed properly
- Ensure employer is E-Verify enrolled
- Simultaneously build alternative pathway
- Consider concurrent H-1B + O-1A + NIW
- H-1B selection weighted by prevailing wage level
- Level 4 wages selected first
- New graduates typically at Level 1
- Dramatically reduces entry-level odds
- Negotiate highest possible salary offer
- Target high-wage locations (NYC, SF, Seattle)
- Get promoted before H-1B filing
- Consider cap-exempt employers instead
- Focus on O-1A if you have achievements
- 90-day unemployment limit on OPT
- 150-day limit on STEM OPT
- Must report address changes in 10 days
- I-983 reporting requirements
- Travel can be risky during OPT
- Set calendar reminders for all deadlines
- Track unemployment days carefully
- Keep DSO informed of all changes
- Get AP card before international travel
- Document everything for audit defense
- OPT application processing slower
- STEM OPT extensions backlogged
- I-20 updates taking weeks
- Missed deadlines = serious consequences
- Apply for OPT 90 days before graduation
- File STEM OPT 90 days before OPT ends
- Check USCIS processing times regularly
- Follow up with DSO weekly if needed
- Premium processing for H-1B if available
Key F-1/OPT Concepts Conceptos Clave F-1/OPT
OPT (Optional Practical Training)
12 months of work authorization after completing your degree. Must be in field related to your major.
12 meses de autorizacion de trabajo despues de completar su titulo. Debe estar en campo relacionado con su especialidad.
OPT Details
- Apply up to 90 days before graduation
- Must start within 60 days of graduation
- 90-day unemployment limit
- Can work anywhere in US
- Self-employment allowed with restrictions
STEM OPT Extension
Additional 24 months for STEM degree holders. Requires E-Verify employer and I-983 Training Plan.
24 meses adicionales para titulares de titulo STEM. Requiere empleador E-Verify y Plan de Capacitacion I-983.
STEM OPT Requirements
- Degree on official STEM list
- Employer enrolled in E-Verify
- I-983 Training Plan required
- 150-day unemployment limit
- Can use twice (Bachelor's + Master's)
Cap-Gap Extension
Automatic extension of F-1/OPT until Oct 1 if H-1B selected. Bridges the gap between OPT end and H-1B start.
Extension automatica de F-1/OPT hasta Oct 1 si H-1B seleccionado. Cubre el espacio entre fin de OPT e inicio de H-1B.
Cap-Gap Rules
- Automatic - no separate application
- Only if H-1B petition filed timely
- Extends status to Oct 1
- Ends if H-1B denied or withdrawn
- Can continue working during gap
CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
Work authorization while still in school. Must be integral to curriculum. Full-time CPT over 12 months = no OPT.
Autorizacion de trabajo mientras esta en la escuela. Debe ser integral al curriculo. CPT tiempo completo por mas de 12 meses = sin OPT.
CPT Details
- Must be enrolled full-time
- Part-time or full-time available
- 12+ months full-time = lose OPT
- Employer and position specific
- Day-1 CPT programs: HIGH RISK
Post-Graduation Pathway Options Opciones de Camino Post-Graduacion
Click each card to see pros, cons, and strategy tips for each pathway. Haga clic en cada tarjeta para ver pros, contras y consejos de estrategia para cada camino.
H-1B Specialty Occupation
The traditional path. Subject to annual lottery (11% odds). Requires employer sponsorship and bachelor's degree.
El camino tradicional. Sujeto a loteria anual (11% de probabilidad). Requiere patrocinio del empleador y titulo de licenciatura.
H-1B Analysis
- + Most employers familiar with it
- + 6-year validity (3+3)
- + Dual intent (can pursue green card)
- - 11% lottery odds
- - New wage-based selection hurts new grads
- - Tied to sponsoring employer
O-1A Extraordinary Ability
No lottery, no cap. Requires extraordinary ability evidence: awards, publications, high salary, judging, original contributions.
Sin loteria, sin limite. Requiere evidencia de habilidad extraordinaria: premios, publicaciones, salario alto, jurado, contribuciones originales.
O-1A Analysis
- + No lottery - file anytime
- + No annual cap
- + Premium processing available
- + Renewable indefinitely
- - Must prove "extraordinary"
- - Still need employer/agent sponsor
EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver)
Self-petition for green card. No employer needed. Must show work is in national interest under Matter of Dhanasar.
Auto-peticion para tarjeta verde. Sin empleador necesario. Debe demostrar que el trabajo es de interes nacional bajo Matter of Dhanasar.
EB-2 NIW Analysis
- + Self-petition (no employer)
- + Direct path to green card
- + No PERM labor cert needed
- - Long wait for some countries
- - Must meet advanced degree + national interest
- - Doesn't provide immediate work auth
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability
Green card for extraordinary ability. Self-petition. Shorter wait times. Highest standard of evidence.
Tarjeta verde por habilidad extraordinaria. Auto-peticion. Tiempos de espera mas cortos. Estandar mas alto de evidencia.
EB-1A Analysis
- + Self-petition possible
- + Usually current (no backlog)
- + Premium processing available
- - Highest evidentiary standard
- - Most new grads don't qualify
- - Doesn't provide immediate work auth
Cap-Exempt H-1B Employers
Universities, nonprofits, and research institutions. No lottery. Can file and start anytime.
Universidades, organizaciones sin fines de lucro e instituciones de investigacion. Sin loteria. Puede presentar e iniciar en cualquier momento.
Cap-Exempt Analysis
- + No lottery - guaranteed H-1B
- + File any time of year
- + Can transfer to cap later
- - Limited to academic/research roles
- - Often lower salaries
- - Must work FOR the exempt entity
Return Home + Remote Work
Work remotely for US company from home country. No visa needed. Can re-enter later via L-1 or other visa.
Trabajar remotamente para empresa de EE.UU. desde su pais. Sin visa necesaria. Puede regresar despues via L-1 u otra visa.
Return Home Analysis
- + No immigration stress
- + Lower cost of living often
- + Build experience, return later
- + L-1 path if company is multinational
- - Away from US opportunities
- - Career trajectory may differ
Quick Comparison Comparacion Rapida
| OptionOpcion | Lottery?Loteria? | TimelineTiempo | Self-Petition?Auto-Peticion? | Best ForMejor Para |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B (cap) | Yes (11%) | Oct 1 start | No | Most graduates |
| H-1B (cap-exempt) | No | 2-4 months | No | Academic careers |
| O-1A | No | 15 days (premium) | No (need sponsor) | High achievers |
| EB-2 NIW | No | 1-3+ years | Yes | Long-term planning |
| EB-1A | No | 6-12 months | Yes | Exceptional talent |
Frequently Asked Questions Preguntas Frecuentes
If not selected, you can continue on OPT/STEM OPT until it expires. Key alternatives include: (1) Try again next year with same or different employer, (2) Apply for O-1A if you have achievements, (3) Start EB-2 NIW petition, (4) Find cap-exempt employer (university), (5) Transfer to L-1 via multinational company, (6) Return to school for another degree to "reset" OPT.
Si no es seleccionado, puede continuar en OPT/STEM OPT hasta que expire. Alternativas clave incluyen: (1) Intentar nuevamente el proximo ano con mismo o diferente empleador, (2) Solicitar O-1A si tiene logros, (3) Iniciar peticion EB-2 NIW, (4) Encontrar empleador exento (universidad), (5) Transferir a L-1 via empresa multinacional, (6) Regresar a estudiar para otro titulo para "reiniciar" OPT.
Yes, with significant restrictions. For standard OPT, you can be self-employed if the work is directly related to your degree. For STEM OPT, it's much harder because your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and file an I-983 training plan - self-employment generally doesn't meet these requirements. Consult an immigration attorney before attempting this path.
Si, con restricciones significativas. Para OPT estandar, puede ser auto-empleado si el trabajo esta directamente relacionado con su titulo. Para STEM OPT, es mucho mas dificil porque su empleador debe estar inscrito en E-Verify y presentar un plan de capacitacion I-983 - el auto-empleo generalmente no cumple estos requisitos. Consulte a un abogado de inmigracion antes de intentar este camino.
Day-1 CPT programs allow work authorization from the first day of enrollment. While technically legal if the school is SEVP-certified, USCIS heavily scrutinizes these programs. Red flags include: schools that primarily exist to provide CPT, minimal academic requirements, and students whose primary purpose is work rather than study. Using Day-1 CPT can jeopardize future immigration applications, H-1B petitions, and even green cards. Many Day-1 CPT schools have been shut down. Extremely high risk.
Los programas CPT Dia-1 permiten autorizacion de trabajo desde el primer dia de inscripcion. Aunque tecnicamente legal si la escuela esta certificada SEVP, USCIS examina intensamente estos programas. Senales de alerta incluyen: escuelas que existen principalmente para proporcionar CPT, requisitos academicos minimos, y estudiantes cuyo proposito principal es trabajar en lugar de estudiar. Usar CPT Dia-1 puede poner en peligro futuras solicitudes de inmigracion, peticiones H-1B, e incluso tarjetas verdes. Muchas escuelas de CPT Dia-1 han sido cerradas. Riesgo extremadamente alto.
Yes, but with caution. You need: (1) Valid F-1 visa stamp (if expired, must renew at consulate), (2) Valid passport, (3) Valid EAD card, (4) I-20 with travel signature (within 6 months), (5) Job offer letter or proof of employment. Risks: if your EAD application is pending, re-entry is not guaranteed. If unemployed for too long, CBP may question you. Best to avoid travel while applications are pending or during cap-gap period.
Si, pero con precaucion. Necesita: (1) Sello de visa F-1 valido (si esta expirado, debe renovar en consulado), (2) Pasaporte valido, (3) Tarjeta EAD valida, (4) I-20 con firma de viaje (dentro de 6 meses), (5) Carta de oferta de trabajo o prueba de empleo. Riesgos: si su solicitud de EAD esta pendiente, la reentrada no esta garantizada. Si esta desempleado por mucho tiempo, CBP puede cuestionarlo. Mejor evitar viajar mientras las solicitudes estan pendientes o durante el periodo cap-gap.
Starting February 2026, H-1B lottery selection will be weighted by prevailing wage level. Level 4 (highest) wages get priority over Level 1 (entry-level). This significantly disadvantages new graduates who typically start at Level 1. To improve odds: negotiate the highest possible salary, target employers in high-wage areas, get promoted before H-1B filing, or focus on cap-exempt employers or O-1A alternatives.
A partir de febrero 2026, la seleccion de loteria H-1B estara ponderada por nivel de salario prevaleciente. Salarios Nivel 4 (mas altos) tienen prioridad sobre Nivel 1 (nivel de entrada). Esto perjudica significativamente a nuevos graduados que tipicamente comienzan en Nivel 1. Para mejorar probabilidades: negocie el salario mas alto posible, apunte a empleadores en areas de salarios altos, obtenga ascenso antes de presentar H-1B, o enfoquese en empleadores exentos u alternativas O-1A.
Yes! This is a smart strategy. There's no rule preventing you from registering for the H-1B lottery while also filing an O-1A petition. Since O-1A has no cap and no lottery, you can file it any time. If your O-1A is approved first, you have work authorization immediately. If your H-1B is later selected, you can choose which status to use. Just ensure you meet the requirements for each visa category independently.
Si! Esta es una estrategia inteligente. No hay regla que impida registrarse en la loteria H-1B mientras tambien presenta una peticion O-1A. Como O-1A no tiene limite ni loteria, puede presentarla en cualquier momento. Si su O-1A se aprueba primero, tiene autorizacion de trabajo inmediatamente. Si su H-1B es seleccionado despues, puede elegir cual estatus usar. Solo asegurese de cumplir los requisitos para cada categoria de visa independientemente.
Protect Yourself from F-1/OPT Scams
Protejase de Estafas F-1/OPT
Schools offering immediate CPT with minimal academics. USCIS is cracking down. Can permanently damage your immigration record.
Escuelas que ofrecen CPT inmediato con academicos minimos. USCIS esta tomando medidas. Puede danar permanentemente su historial de inmigracion.
Scammers offer "jobs" that don't exist just to collect fees or personal information. Verify every employer before sharing documents.
Estafadores ofrecen "trabajos" que no existen solo para cobrar tarifas o informacion personal. Verifique cada empleador antes de compartir documentos.
No one can guarantee H-1B selection - it's a random lottery. Anyone promising guaranteed results is lying.
Nadie puede garantizar la seleccion H-1B - es una loteria aleatoria. Cualquiera que prometa resultados garantizados esta mintiendo.
Legitimate employers don't charge employees for visa sponsorship. Paying for a "job" to get sponsorship is often fraud.
Empleadores legitimos no cobran a empleados por patrocinio de visa. Pagar por un "trabajo" para obtener patrocinio es frecuentemente fraude.