Your earning and career plan should be decided before you choose a US program. Here's how work authorization actually flows on an F-1 visa.
While you study
- On-campus work: up to 20 hrs/week in term, full-time in breaks. No extra permit needed.
- CPT: internships/jobs that are part of your curriculum, authorized by your DSO before you start.
After you graduate: OPT
- OPT: up to 12 months of work in your field. Apply via Form I-765 to USCIS (up to 90 days before completion).
- STEM OPT: a qualifying STEM degree adds a 24-month extension = 3 years total, but you must work for an E-Verify employer.
STEM OPT is the single biggest reason Indian students favour STEM majors: 3 years of work gives multiple shots at the H-1B lottery.
The H-1B reality
- Capped at 85,000/year (65,000 + 20,000 for US master's holders), allocated by lottery.
- Recent selection odds: roughly 25-35% per registration; a US master's gives two chances.
- The cap-gap rule bridges your status through April 1 if your H-1B is selected.
Don't assume the H-1B. Even strong candidates can go unselected for years. STEM OPT buys time and multiple attempts, but a permanent US career is not guaranteed. Have a plan B.
Does the new $100,000 H-1B fee affect students?
The widely-reported six-figure payment applies to certain new petitions filed from outside the US; per USCIS guidance it does not apply to F-1 students filing a change of status from within the US. Always verify the current rule on uscis.gov.
Want to map your degree to a realistic OPT-to-H-1B plan? Talk to an Aurora mentor who's navigated it.