Resolving Conflicts Between OPT And H1B

OPT VS H1B - Difference

The term OPT and H1B are related to each other but not similar. OPT students can apply for the H1B visa but reverse procedure cannot place. Both the terms are confusing because the intention of each term is to provide the work permit to the international candidates in USA.

OPT

H1B

OPT plays a vital role during the F1 visa status. H1B comes in role after the expiration of F1 status.
Having the OPT work authorization in turn means that the person in under F1 visa category. Having the H1B work authorization means the person is no more under F1 visa category.
OPT requires no visa permission. It is training under the visa category H1B. H1B itself is a visa category for the international students and the international employees.
The maximum length of OPT duration is 12 months. The maximum period allowed under H1-B visa is for 6 years.
To work for OPT requires the student to have EAD card. To work under the H1B the candidate has to wait till the October 1 after the approval of visa.
The student does not need to have job nor the employment offer letter while applying for OPT The candidate cannot file the H1B visa petition. The respective employer has to follow the entire procedure for the employee.
Under the OPT, student can work only for the employee which comes under the SEVP category. The candidate has to choose such employer which shows readiness to carry out the visa application and has willingness to afford fees.
Student working on OPT can change the job and employer. The candidate before changing the employer has to repeat the entire H1-B application process.
It is possible to extend the OPT period for more 24 months, making it total of 36 months under certain conditions. There is no such extension on the H1-b visa. The minimum time is 3 years and the maximum time is for 6 years. The alternative to extension of H1B visa is to apply for the GC while in 5year of the total 6years.

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