Optional Practical Training, or OPT, is a program that allows international students in the United States on F-1 visas to gain work experience in their field of study. Students can apply for OPT after completing their degree or while still enrolled in school, providing them with the opportunity to work for up to 12 months, with a possible extension for certain STEM graduates. To participate in OPT, students must receive approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and must work in a job related to their major. This experience helps students enhance their skills and improve their employability in the global job market.