Posted on Monday, October 28th, 2013 at 9:31 am

For most international students, OPT is an excellent way to get further experience, but also to get their foot in the door at a US company. To learn more about what OPT is, please visit our insurance explained section where we have a range of articles that cover all areas of OPT in more depth. But for students looking to apply, here are our top 5 tips for you to follow:

• Tip 1 – Apply Early!
  You do not need a job to apply for OPT, so get the process started well in advance. This will save you time and energy down the line but just remember that there are certain timelines you need to follow and times when you cannot apply, so do you research in advance!
• Tip 2 – Double Check Everything!
  When you are completing your forms, make sure you check and then double check all your documents – or better yet have someone else look over them either at your school or a friend. You do not want to make a mistake, and if you have any questions just ask your school.
• Tip 3 – Check Your Potential Employer!
  Although you do not need an employer to apply for OPT, you will want to start your job search in earnest to find a good position. But still be careful and do your research when looking for a job and be mindful of scams. Sometimes when an offer is too good to be true, it often is and you will want to do your research.
• Tip 4 – Send Your Documents by Express Mail!
  It will only cost you a little bit more, but by sending all your documents to USCIS you have it fully tracked and you know it will get there on time!
• Tip 5 – Don’t Forget About Insurance!
  In many cases, students applying for OPT will no longer be eligible for their schools insurance plan and your employer may not insure you either. So do your research and find the right student insurance plan for you to make sure you are covered.

For more information on applying for OPT, please check out our how to apply for OPT section.

Posted by Ross Mason

Ross is the Vice President of International Student Insurance, with over 15 years experience in the international education arena. A graduate from the Nottingham Trent University in the UK with a First in BSc (Hons) Business and Technology, Ross has lived all around the world including LA, New York, Boston, London, Hong Kong, Florida and Germany.