question about OPT

ravneet · Sep 8, 2007

I'm currently working on optional practical training part time besides my studies. After graduation I will have 6 months of fulltime OPT left - hopefully enough for my immigration paperwork to be processed. In any case, I have been wondering if there is a maximum amount of work hours that is allowed with fulltime OPT. Is it possible to work overtime while on OPT? Right now with part time I can work up to 20 hours, and I make sure to work exactly this amount. But it seems to me like the nurses are woking at least a bit of overtime virtually every day, and especially the newer ones that often take longer to complete their charting.

There is no such thing as "part time OPT". wat u are on currently is called CPT. OPT is 12 months non renewable EAD that u wud get after u graduate. My understanding is that once u are on OPT u can work as many hours and on as many jobs with more than one employer as u wish, though it wont be recommended, and u shud concentrate on quality/learning rather than quantity. but thats a matter of ur personal choice. anybdy pls corect me if i am wrong.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 8, 2007

I'm currently working on optional practical training part time besides my studies. After graduation I will have 6 months of fulltime OPT left - hopefully enough for my immigration paperwork to be processed. In any case, I have been wondering if there is a maximum amount of work hours that is allowed with fulltime OPT. Is it possible to work overtime while on OPT? Right now with part time I can work up to 20 hours, and I make sure to work exactly this amount. But it seems to me like the nurses are woking at least a bit of overtime virtually every day, and especially the newer ones that often take longer to complete their charting.

You also have to be aware of retrogression and that can have an impact on you adjusting your status. Currently there is no visas to adjust and depending on country of birth will depend on how things move in the future

saraltx · Sep 8, 2007

Thanks. Yes, Suzanne just recently pointed out the retrogression thing to me, and partly this is why I'm trying to figure out what my options are if there are any delays. However, I do have part time OPT. Does CPT not mean that the work experience is required as part of the eduacation? My program doesn't require this, and even my I-20 says "OPT" and "part time". I'm currently using up one year of part time, so I'll have 6 months of full time left after graduation.

If I can work unlimited hours for those 6 months, then I might even be able to save up enough money to right away go on to enroll in a Bachelor program. I had planned this any way, and that way I would be able to stay on my F1 status if the retrogression should still be in place. I was also wondering, if I would do this and then would run out of money if the delay goes on, would there be chances to be apporved for the economical hardship thing so that I could still work part time off campus besides school?

suzanne4, RN · Sep 9, 2007

When you first start to work as an RN there are many things that you will need to learn at your first job in that role, it is quite different than working in any other capacity. You will need to complete your orientation before the facility will usually permit you to work any overtime, as you do not count as a staff member until that time as far as them deciding how many nurses that are needed per shift.

Without significant experience under you, it will be hard to be going thru another full orientation at another facility at the same time, this is why you are going to find that hard to complete without one job suffering,

I would never recommend two jobs when you are first starting out.

saraltx · Sep 9, 2007

right, I was not aware that I won't be able to work overtime during orientation, but it would make sense. I wouldn't try to work 2 jobs, just one with a lot of overtime. Thanks, Suzanne!

RNGrad2006 · Sep 10, 2007

Thanks. Yes, Suzanne just recently pointed out the retrogression thing to me, and partly this is why I'm trying to figure out what my options are if there are any delays. However, I do have part time OPT. Does CPT not mean that the work experience is required as part of the eduacation? My program doesn't require this, and even my I-20 says "OPT" and "part time". I'm currently using up one year of part time, so I'll have 6 months of full time left after graduation.
If I can work unlimited hours for those 6 months, then I might even be able to save up enough money to right away go on to enroll in a Bachelor program. I had planned this any way, and that way I would be able to stay on my F1 status if the retrogression should still be in place. I was also wondering, if I would do this and then would run out of money if the delay goes on, would there be chances to be apporved for the economical hardship thing so that I could still work part time off campus besides school?

I would seriosly consider rather than working overtime starting with a hospital that does tuition reimbursement. This way you could work full time and start your courses right away as opposed to after your OPT runs out. This way you would be able to get some classes paid for completely by your employer as opposed to having to save up all the money after the 6 months.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 11, 2007

I would seriosly consider rather than working overtime starting with a hospital that does tuition reimbursement. This way you could work full time and start your courses right away as opposed to after your OPT runs out. This way you would be able to get some classes paid for completely by your employer as opposed to having to save up all the money after the 6 months.

The problem I think would be no visa currently to adjust (I know they have OPT)and if they use all their OPT up and retrogression is still in place and they can't afford to continue with studies then they will have to leave.

saraltx · Sep 12, 2007

I'm planning on doing the OPT at a hospital where I'm having a scholarship. They do have tuition reimbursement, but only after working there for a year I think.

Silverdragen, what do you mean with no visa currently to adjust? Would I not still be on an F1 visa while doing OPT?

I know my plan may be a bit too crazy, and luckily I still have some time to think about it and hopefully for some good news to happen about the retrogression. I would just hate not to be able to work in the US at least for a while because of this.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 13, 2007

A few more things to consider:

When you work that much overtime for one employer, you are not going to see much of it. It will go to taxes.

Right now, if there are no visas available, when your OPT is completed, you have no choice but to continue on with your schooling, or you have 60 days and you have to leave the US. The new October Visa Bulletin was released, and do not see any visas becoming available soon at all under the AOS which is what you are looking for. Remember that there were 300,000 petitions accepted last month, and they are in front of you. Also, that attending school in the US does not guarantee that you will be able to remain in the US to work with a green card. That no longer is the case.

Please be aware that under the student visa, you can only work a maximum of twenty hours per week, and you normally cannot start that immediately. You have to apply for it and get approval from US immigration, it is not something that is automatically approved.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 13, 2007

I'm planning on doing the OPT at a hospital where I'm having a scholarship. They do have tuition reimbursement, but only after working there for a year I think.
Silverdragen, what do you mean with no visa currently to adjust? Would I not still be on an F1 visa while doing OPT?
I know my plan may be a bit too crazy, and luckily I still have some time to think about it and hopefully for some good news to happen about the retrogression. I would just hate not to be able to work in the US at least for a while because of this.

if you re look at my quote I mention once OPT has been used up and if retrogression is still in progress you will have to either leave the country or continue as Suzanne mentions with your studies