OPT Employment Possibilities
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OPT Employment Possibilities 

 

Students completing OPT & STEM OPT may engage in several types of employment opportunities.

You may only begin employment once you have the EAD and you have reached the start date on the card. (Those are the only days you are authorized to work by USCIS.)

Your employment must be directly related to your field of study/Major at SUNY New Paltz. When you report employment in the International Student Platform, you must explain how your employment is directly related to your field of study/major.

It is important to remember that while completing OPT or STEM OPT, you continue to be in F-1 student status, under the immigration sponsorship of SUNY New Paltz. 
 

 

Types of employment that are allowed while on OPT

All OPT employment must be directly related to your program of study.

  • Regular paid employment in a position directly related to your field of study, and the work must be for at least 20 hours per week.  

  • Multiple employers, as long as it is directly related to the your field of study, and the work must be for at least 20 hours per week.  

  • Paid work for multiple short-time employers.

  • Work for hire- contract work (usually receive a 1099).

  • Volunteer work or unpaid internship-as long as work does not violate US labor laws, at least 20 hours per week.

  • Self-employed.  

 

Unemployment:

The OPT regulations allow 90-days of unemployment during the first OPT authorization. Once authorized for the 24 Month STEM OPT Extension, an additional 60 days are allowed for a total of 150 days. 
   - OPT- 90 days of unemployment within your 12 months of OPT 
   - STEM OPT- 60 days of unemployment within your STEM period 

 

Address Update:

Ensure your address is correct and up to date in the International Student Platform: From the Personal & Program Page >> Contact Information >> US Physical Address>>

To update your US Physical Address, choose the Contact Information Update if your ISSS-OPT Profile.
 

Employment Update : 

SEVP - Student and Exchange Visitor Program requires all students completing 12 months of OPT and 24 Month STEM OPT to report employment and U.S. address (changes/updates) to International Student Programs.

To update your employment information, choose the OPT Employer Update Request in your ISSS-OPT Profile.