TL;DR — F1 students receive 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation, working in a role directly related to their field of study. Graduates of STEM-designated programmes (per the DHS CIP code list) qualify for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension — a total of up to 36 months of post-graduation US work.
OPT and the STEM OPT extension are the two post-graduation work windows available to F1 students. Together they represent the most tangible reason many Nepali students choose the US for STEM Masters. This piece sets out how each works.
Standard OPT (12 months)
- Available to F1 students who have completed at least one academic year of full-time study at a SEVP-certified institution.
- Employment must be directly related to the student’s major.
- Pre-completion OPT (up to 20 hours per week during study) and post-completion OPT (full time after graduation) share the same 12-month total.
- Application via Form I-765 to USCIS. Fee and processing time are set by USCIS — check current on uscis.gov.
- Application window: up to 90 days before program end date and up to 60 days after.
STEM OPT extension (24 months)
- Additional 24 months of OPT for graduates of Department of Homeland Security-designated STEM programmes.
- Eligibility tied to the CIP code of the degree. The current DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List is published on the ICE website.
- Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify.
- A formal training plan (Form I-983) must be prepared jointly by the student and employer.
- Application via Form I-765 to USCIS, filed while the initial OPT is still valid.
Common STEM-designated fields
- Computer Science and Information Technology (CIP 11)
- Engineering (CIP 14)
- Mathematics and Statistics (CIP 27)
- Physical Sciences (CIP 40)
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences (CIP 26)
- Data Analytics and Data Science (specific codes such as CIP 30.7001, 30.3001)
Employer and unemployment rules
- During OPT: maximum 90 days of unemployment.
- During STEM OPT: maximum 150 days of unemployment across the initial OPT and STEM OPT combined.
- Employment must be at least 20 hours per week for STEM OPT eligibility.
- Employer changes must be reported to the Designated School Official (DSO).
Cap-gap
Students who file an H-1B petition while on OPT and whose OPT expires between H-1B filing and October 1 may receive a cap-gap extension of their F1 status until September 30 to bridge to H-1B. Confirm the current cap-gap policy with the USCIS page.
Practical planning for Nepali applicants
- Choose a STEM-designated programme if long-term US employment is the goal. Verify the CIP code with the SEVP-certified institution before you enrol.
- Begin the OPT application timing plan with your DSO in the semester before graduation.
- Target E-Verify employers if STEM OPT is your intent.
- H-1B is a separate lottery-based process; OPT and STEM OPT are the runway to prepare for it.
Key takeaways
- OPT = 12 months of work in the field of study.
- STEM OPT = additional 24 months for DHS-designated STEM CIP codes.
- Employer must be E-Verify enrolled for STEM OPT.
- Form I-983 training plan is mandatory for STEM OPT.
- Cap-gap can bridge OPT to H-1B start date.
Important: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or migration advice. Rules, fees and eligibility criteria change; verify current guidance on the USCIS and ICE websites and speak to The Next Education counsellors or a qualified US immigration attorney before taking any action based on this content.
Related resources
See our Study in USA hub, F1 visa appointment guide, and F1 interview preparation.