F1 OPT jobs v. Full-time Employment - Making the Right Choice

International students who arrive in the USA, strive to find suitable jobs per their academic qualifications. Various kinds of employment are offered to international students in the F1 visa category. It is a very strategic approach that must accompany correct preparation and fruitful decisions. Many students are lost and misguided about their careers, the reason being they don’t research well and hence the right amount of effort is not put in the right direction.

Be with us to gain some clarity about career choices and choosing the right job, check out the details. This will give an insight into F1 OPT jobs and full-time employment and hopefully will help the candidates choose the best for them.

F1 OPT jobs in the USA

Although the candidates are occupied with many questions and they might enter into the dilemma of opting OPT job or full-time employment. So let's learn what is OPT. Students who are enrolled in any degree or specialization in any college or university based in the USA are entitled to work. They get 12 months period to work and live in the USA. The F1 students can also either pre-completion or post-completion in which they can work 20 hours per week and full-time respectively. Those students who have worked at the pre-completion OPT are entitled to complete the rest of the duration later.

Although this job is not permanent, the candidates can work at their ease they can work for multiple recruiters at the same time. The payments get cleared either weekly or daily basis, and the duration of the job can be extended. Candidates can explore various options while on OPT and can apply for full-time employment later. There is a sense of freedom the candidate can switch to better opportunities easily. OPT jobs are a popular choice among international students who are on an F1 visa.

Full-time employment

Full-time employment gives more security to the candidates, and the salary packages offered are lucrative. There are many perks given to full-time employees, including allowances, and insurance, they are hired for performing specific functions in the company. They get paid leaves, sick leaves, and casual leaves. They will have better opportunities if they want to switch to some other organization. Full-time employment also includes H1B jobs in USA, under this category of visa, the recruiter sponsors the visa of the candidate.

Almost a million employees arrive in the USA through H1B visa-sponsoring companies. Although visa sponsoring is given to candidates who are specialized in a specific skill. Candidates without any specific skills are not eligible to get visa sponsorships. H1B visa holders get 3 years to live and work in the USA, which can be further extended to 36 months. Meantime the candidates can apply for a green card for getting citizenship.

Several other benefits are given to full-time employees such as health insurance, paid training, and sometimes accommodations are also provided by the company. Full-time employees grow personally and professionally, there are several opportunities which are associated with the job.

Though great opportunity comes with great responsibility, so there is a pressure of deadlines, team coordination, and efficiency. The recruiter expects the employees to perform every function and other specifications attached to the job.

Read More: Top 30 us companies that support h1b for opt students

FAQs F1 OPT jobs

1- What work qualifies for OPT?

The OPT students must work in their field of education. They have to find suitable opportunities as per their Major, for instance, a STEM OPT student can look for IT jobs, Automation, and engineering jobs. NON-STEM students can find jobs as per their qualifications, such as staffing, consulting, and many more such as hospitality.

2- Can I work from India on F1 OPT?

Although students who are currently residing in the USA are qualified for OPT jobs in USA. But students who want to work remotely can work in obligation with the SEVP. Students participating must abide by the guidelines and complete their training. They have to fill out form I-983.

3- What is the difference between F1 and F1 OPT?

F1 is the visa category under which international students apply to study and work in the USA. The students must be enrolled in a full-time degree or course, and the college or university must be based in the USA. F1 OPT is the Optional Practical Training is the work permit that allows the students to work either during their academic session or after completing it. During pre-completion, the students can work for 20 hours per week.

4- Can I apply for a green card on OPT?

OPT allows students to apply for a green card. There are several ways through which an OPT student can apply for a green card, either obtaining an advanced degree, starting their own business, or changing visa status.