The United States offers eligible international students opportunities to gain temporary professional work experience during or after completing their studies.
International students holding an F-1 Student Visa may qualify for employment authorisation through Optional Practical Training (OPT), including an extension for eligible Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates.
Some graduates may also qualify for an employer-sponsored H-1B visa, allowing them to work in specialised occupations, subject to immigration requirements and visa availability.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows eligible F-1 international students to gain temporary practical work experience directly related to their major field of study.
Students may qualify for:
Eligible graduates can generally apply for up to 12 months of post-completion OPT, subject to approval by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Students must obtain a recommendation from their university's Designated School Official (DSO) and apply for employment authorisation through USCIS before commencing work.
Any pre-completion OPT used at the same educational level may reduce the period of post-completion OPT available.
International graduates who complete eligible STEM degree programmes may qualify for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension, providing up to 36 months of total post-completion OPT employment authorisation.
STEM fields may include:
Eligibility depends on the programme's official Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code, not simply its course title.
Students applying for the STEM OPT extension must meet additional requirements, including employment with an eligible employer participating in the E-Verify programme and completion of a formal training plan.
Important: The STEM OPT extension is not automatic. Students must meet the eligibility requirements and submit their application within the prescribed deadlines.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows eligible F-1 students to participate in practical training that forms an integral part of their academic curriculum.
CPT may include internships, cooperative education programmes or other approved practical training connected to the student's course of study.
Unlike post-completion OPT, CPT is generally undertaken during an academic programme, before the programme end date.
CPT must be authorised by the university's Designated School Official (DSO) before employment begins.
Students who complete 12 months or more of full-time CPT generally become ineligible for post-completion OPT at the same educational level.
Updated: November 2026
The United States has announced significant changes and proposed reforms to immigration and employment regulations under the Trump administration. These developments may affect international students and graduates, particularly in relation to Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT, H-1B visas and the duration of student visa status.
Some changes have already taken effect, while others remain proposals and may be amended, delayed or withdrawn.
Students should not assume that current post-study employment opportunities, visa conditions or eligibility requirements will remain unchanged throughout their studies.
Before choosing a course or university, students are strongly encouraged to review the latest official US immigration regulations and consider their financial and career plans carefully.
For current information, visit:
The information provided by Uni2Go is for general guidance only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. US immigration policies, employment authorisations, visa eligibility and application procedures may change without prior notice.
The H-1B is a temporary, employer-sponsored nonimmigrant visa that allows eligible foreign professionals to work in specialty occupations in the United States.
Specialty occupations generally require specialised knowledge and at least a directly related bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
International graduates may be considered for H-1B sponsorship if they secure employment with a US employer willing and eligible to sponsor them.
The H-1B programme generally provides:
Most private-sector H-1B applications are subject to an annual numerical cap and selection process, although certain universities, nonprofit research organisations and other qualifying employers may be exempt.
From the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration season, the United States introduced a wage-weighted selection process, replacing the previous equal-probability random selection system.
Under this system, registrations associated with higher prevailing wage levels receive greater weight in the selection process, although eligible positions at all wage levels may still be considered.
H-1B selection, sponsorship and approval are not guaranteed.
Employment opportunities after graduation depend on the student's qualifications, immigration status, employer eligibility and applicable US immigration regulations.
Students should understand that:
At Uni2Go, we encourage students to consider academic quality, course suitability, career goals and applicable post-study employment regulations when choosing a university in the United States.
Information is subject to change. Students should consult their university's international student office and official US government resources for current eligibility and application requirements.
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