OPT Limitations

Hello,

First off, this discussion board has been extremely helpful. I had no idea that I had to file taxes in the US as well as Canada so thanks for that:)

I am a Canadian citizen and attended graduate school in FL for the past year and a half and just graduated this past Dec. I obtained an OPT for a 12 month period following my graduation date in Dec. I have been offered a paid internship position (so no sponsorship) by a hospital in FL for about a year. I also recieved a job offer for a part-time position at a health insurance company (also won't sponsor me).

My question then becomes: Can I just work the part-time positions while on my OPT (they are all related to the professional degree I obtained) without any sponsorship as long as I file taxes?? I know there is some sort of requirement to work at least as a volunteer within the first 3 months of obtaining an OPT so can my PT employer just send a letter stating that I am employed in the health care industry part time to fulfill that requirement??

I just want to confirm that I can work anywhere in my field and for as many employers as I want while on my valid OPT.
Thank you soo much for your help!

-Angela

I can't think of any reason why you wouldn't be able to, OPT is pretty open-ended if it's a full-time one issued after you've graduated, the main restriction is that you can't have more than 90 days of unemployment. It's supposed to be tied to what your degree was about but I've never been clear on how they enforce that. I think it's only a major issue if you get the 17-month STEM extension because then you have to provide proof.

Have a read of: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/updates_postcompletion_opt.htm

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. I agree with you after reading up some material. I believe that all I have to do is report the name of my employer and their address to the international student affairs dept. of the graduate school I attended in the U.S.

I will find out for sure and post


Thank you,

Angela