What is the OPT program for student visas?

The optional practical training (OPT) program is a temporary work permit for foreign students studying in the United States. It is designed to allow foreign nationals to gain practical work experience related to their field of study either while studying or after graduation. OPT program is available to foreign students who are studying in the United States under an F-1 visa and is authorized by the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). In California, the OPT program allows foreign students to work in the U.S. for up to one year after their academic program has finished. This helps foreign students develop their skills and gain professional experience while in the U.S. The OPT permits students to work in paid positions that are related to their academic field or to participate in unpaid internships or fellowships. There are also different types of OPT programs, such as pre-completion OPT which students can apply for before the completion of their degree program, and post-completion OPT which students can apply for after completing their degree program. The OPT allows foreign students to stay in the U.S. for longer periods of time, helping them to gain valuable work experience and knowledge.

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El Programa de Practicante y Trabajador de Inmigrante (OPT) es un programa diseñado para estudiantes de inmigración en California. OPT es un programa de visa temporal de 12 meses, a partir del cual un estudiante puede trabajar en un empleo directamente relacionado con su campo de estudio. Esta visa temporal, aunque limitada a un año, se puede renovar una vez. Los solicitantes a la visa OPT deben estar inscritos en una institución educativa acreditada por el Servicio de Inmigración y Ciudadanía (USCIS) de los Estados Unidos. Esta visa es exclusivamente para estudiantes universitarios, graduados, de pregrado y de postgrado, y no se extiende a personas en estudios no formales. Después de recibir la visa OPT, el solicitante puede trabajar en los Estados Unidos por 12 meses, con o sin empleadores. El estudiante también puede obtener la Autorización de Empleo establecida (EAD) para trabajar mientras selecciona un empleador potencial. Durante los 12 meses de visa OPT, el estudiante debe seguir un plan de trabajo específico con el propósito de adquirir práctica y desarrollar habilidades pertinentes a su campo de estudio. Esta práctica incluye trabajar para una empresa, ganar experiencia profesional en el mercado laboral de los Estados Unidos o llevar a cabo un proyecto relacionado con su campo de estudios. El propósito de la visa OPT es permitirle al estudiante generar valor a través de la obtención de experiencia que le ayudará en su futura carrera profesional.

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