OPT Terminated If Student Changes School or Starts New Study Program

USCIS issued a reminder to F-1 foreign students that their OPT may end under two conditions. First, if they transfer to another school to study, their OPT will terminate.  Second, if they begin a study program at another educational level, then their OPT will also terminate.  The general rule is that a foreign student may only obtain one OPT employment for each educational level. For example, when a student completed her bachelor's degree, she is entitled to 12 months of OPT employment.  She must complete a new academic program (e.g., a master's degree) before she may apply for OPT employment again.   However, this policy should not stop foreign students from pursuing a higher degree if it makes sense to do so otherwise.