F-1 students often want to work after their studies. However, employment opportunities are limited, and strict rules apply. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to get real-world work experience related to their field of study, usually after they complete their studies.
Who is eligible for OPT?
Students enrolled in a qualifying certificate program at UC Berkeley Global/Berkeley Extension can become eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) upon successful completion of that program. OPT eligibility is contingent upon successfully receiving a certificate after completing a minimum of one consecutive year (2 semesters) of full-time study. Read more about Extension's OPT Policy here.
Which Berkeley Global programs are eligible for OPT?
Berkeley Global Programs that may qualify for OPT are the Berkeley Haas Global Access Program, the Berkeley Global Computing and Data Science Program, and the Professional Diploma Programs.
Which programs are not eligible?
Students enrolled in other non-certificate visiting student programs such as the Berkeley Global Access Program (BGA), other campus visitors programs offered via concurrent enrollment (such as BISP, GLOBE, etc), Extension part-time Certificate programs, or those offered online do not qualify for OPT.
Questions?
If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out to our International Student Services (ISS) team. We are here to assist you in navigating the OPT eligibility process for non-degree visiting programs and ensuring a smooth academic experience.