After completing your Master's in the USA on an F1 visa, you get a powerful benefit: Optional Practical Training (OPT) — 12 months of work authorization. If your degree is in a STEM field, you can extend that by another 24 months for a total of 3 years of legal US work experience. This is the pathway most Bangladeshi students use to build their US career.
1. What Is OPT?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a work authorization granted by USCIS to F1 visa holders. It allows you to work in a job that is directly related to your field of study for up to 12 months after graduation.
Key features:
- Duration: 12 months (standard OPT)
- Work type: Must be related to your degree — can be full-time or part-time
- Employer: Any US employer — no sponsorship needed from the employer for OPT itself
- Multiple employers: You can work for more than one employer simultaneously
- Self-employment: Permitted if it's related to your field
- Unemployment limit: You cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days total during your 12-month OPT
2. STEM OPT Extension — The Game-Changer
If your degree is classified as a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), you can apply for a 24-month extension — giving you a total of 36 months (3 years) of work authorization.
STEM fields that qualify (from the Department of Homeland Security STEM list):
- Computer Science, Data Science, AI/Machine Learning, Cybersecurity
- All Engineering branches (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, etc.)
- Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science
- Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry
- Business Analytics, Quantitative Finance (if STEM-designated by the university)
- Public Health (some programmes are STEM-designated)
Requirements for STEM OPT extension:
- Your degree must be on the STEM Designated Degree Program list
- Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify
- You must have a formal training plan (Form I-983) signed by your employer
- You must apply before your initial 12-month OPT expires
3. Who Is Eligible?
- You must have been a full-time F1 student for at least one academic year
- You must have completed your degree (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD)
- Your intended employment must be directly related to your field of study
- You must apply through your university's International Student Office (DSO)
- For STEM extension: your employer must use E-Verify and you must have a training plan
4. How to Apply (Timeline)
Pre-Completion OPT (optional — during studies):
- You can work part-time (20 hours/week) during the academic year on pre-completion OPT
- Any time used on pre-completion OPT reduces your post-completion OPT
Post-Completion OPT (the main one — after graduation):
- When to apply: No earlier than 90 days before graduation, no later than 60 days after
- What you need: I-765 form, I-20 with OPT recommendation from DSO, passport photos, application fee ($410)
- Processing time: 3-6 months (apply early — you can't work until you receive your EAD card)
- Start date: You choose a start date within 60 days of graduation. OPT begins on this date regardless of whether your EAD card has arrived
STEM Extension:
- Apply before your 12-month OPT expires
- Must have a STEM-designated degree and E-Verify employer
- Submit I-983 training plan with your application
- You can continue working while the extension is being processed
5. OPT to H1B — The Long-Term Path
OPT is temporary. For long-term US employment, most Bangladeshi graduates transition to an H1B work visa:
- Year 1-3 (OPT/STEM OPT): Build skills and find an employer willing to sponsor H1B
- H1B lottery: Your employer files an H1B petition. The annual lottery has approximately 25-30% selection rate for regular cap (higher for Master's cap)
- H1B to Green Card: Once on H1B, your employer can sponsor you for a Green Card (permanent residency)
3 years of STEM OPT gives you 3 chances at the H1B lottery — significantly better odds than 1 year of regular OPT.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't find a job within 90 days?
If you're unemployed for more than 90 aggregate days during standard OPT (or 150 days during STEM OPT), your OPT may be automatically terminated. Volunteering in a related field can count as employment.
Can I change employers on OPT?
Yes. You can change employers freely on standard OPT. On STEM OPT, you need a new I-983 training plan from the new employer, and they must be E-Verify registered.
Is my MBA STEM-eligible?
Only if your university has designated it as a STEM programme (some MBA programmes with analytics, data science, or quantitative focus have STEM CIP codes). Check your programme's CIP code with your university.
Can my spouse work on my OPT?
No. F2 dependents (spouse and children of F1 holders) cannot work in the US. This is a significant disadvantage compared to Canada (PGWP spousal work permit) or New Zealand (partner work visa).