OPT Tracker: What You Should Know?

What Is an OPT Tracker?

When you apply for OPT under the F1 visa, to get the work authorization from the USCIS. The entire application process is not easy and also you need to have a check on the processing approval. Once you have completed your application and you are required to wait up to 90 days to get the approval. This is when an OPT tracker can help you in discussing and tracking OPT case status on the go.

What Is OPT?

OPT refers to Optional Practical Training. OPT is a work authorization period for F-1 students who have completed or have been pursuing their degrees for at least one academic year. F1 visa students are permitted to work for one year on a student visa towards getting practical training under OPT Jobs to complement their education and also offered OPT extension by the USCIS.

Every student with valid OPT authorization is eligible for a maximum of 12 months of OPT for each degree level you complete. For students with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degree, you may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, for a total of 36 months.

How can I track my OPT?

It is very important that you have a track of after you have applied for OPT processing. There are ways you can track your OPT application process:

Through USCIS

USCIS will mail you a receipt notice (I-797C) with your OPT application case status number. You can your case status at www.uscis.gov. Request a number when you mail your OPT application to USCIS.

Through different OPT Trackers:

There are various sites offering to track the OPT process and also you can discuss and shares the process queries and. The discussions. One of the best OPT Tracker in the industry is OPTnation’s OPT Tracker. the opinion helps you track the status of your OPT application along with various other services for international students in the USA like job placement services, resume building and job portal platform to its users.

How Does an OPT Tracker Work?

The OPT tracker provides better views on tracking your application as discussions and comments by other users. Let us understand this with an example. Say, an applicant with a priority date of August 18, 2019, is waiting for a decision on their OPT application that is being processed by XYZ Center, and they notice in the tracker that a case was just approved on August 17, 2019, they can rest assured that their case will be processed soon assuming that the applications are being processed in a first-in-first-out manner.

How long does it take to get OPT?

The processing time varies depending on the time of year the application is submitted and how busy the USCIS office is at that time. Generally, it can take up to 90 days after the application is received by USCIS to be approved.

It takes around an average of 90-120 days to get approved for OPT so it is important to plan ahead and take action.

It is very important to track your status to see to it that your file is moving forward as per stipulated time and in case there are any constraints of getting it approved within the time than to know what is causing the delay.