Employment Timeline

F-1 students on OPT have a total of 90 days (including weekends and holidays) of allowed unemployment during their initial 12-month OPT period that begins on the start date of their OPT (as indicated on their EAD card). Students may not begin employment until they have received their EAD card and until the start date of OPT (as indicated on the EAD card) has been reached.

Employment Types

All OPT employment must be directly related to the student’s field of study and appropriate for the student’s degree level.

• Paid Employment: A student may work part-time (at least 20 hours per week), or full time.
• Multiple Employers: A student may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to the student’s degree program.
• Short-term Multiple Employers (performing artists): A student, such as a musician or other type of performing artist, may work for multiple short term employers (gigs). The student should maintain a list of all gigs, the dates and duration.
• Work for Hire: This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment, where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship. If requested by Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the student must be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract period and the name and address of the contracting company.
• Self-employed Business Owner: A student on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. The student must be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to the student’s degree program.
• Employment Through an Agency or Consulting Firm: The student must be able to provide evidence showing he or she worked an average of at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency.
• Unpaid Employment: A student may work as a volunteer or unpaid intern, where this practice does not violate any U.S. labor laws. The work must be at least 20 hours per week. A student must be able to provide evidence acquired from the student’s employer to verify that the student worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment.

If requested by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, students must be prepared to provide evidence of OPT employment dates and duration, and the name(s) and address(es) of OPT employer(s).