Can I Apply for OPT Again After a Second Master's Degree?
A very common question among international students is whether enrolling in a second Master's degree resets their Optional Practical Training (OPT) clock. Here is the definitive answer under USCIS regulations.
TL;DR / The Bottom Line
No, you cannot apply for OPT again if you already used it for a previous degree at the same level. Under USCIS rules, F-1 students are granted a maximum of 12 months of OPT at each higher educational degree level. If you used OPT after your first Master's, you will not get OPT after a second Master's. You must complete a Ph.D. to become eligible for OPT again.
Table of Contents
"I came to the U.S. in 2021 on an F-1 visa to pursue a Master's degree in Computer Science. I completed my degree and my OPT ended in May 2025. In June 2025, I started a new academic program and continued in F-1 status. Am I eligible to apply for OPT again after completing this new program?"
Our legal team sees this specific question from international students almost every day. The short answer is no, you are not eligible for another round of Optional Practical Training (OPT) if the new program is also a Master's degree.
1The "Once Per Higher Degree Level" Rule
According to the Code of Federal Regulations 8 CFR § 214.2(f)(10)(ii), a student may be authorized for a maximum of 12 months of practical training, and it is available only once at each educational level.
This means the U.S. government provides OPT in a linear progression:
- Bachelor's Level: 12 months of OPT allowed.
- Master's Level: 12 months of OPT allowed.
- Doctorate (Ph.D.) Level: 12 months of OPT allowed.
If you already consumed your 12 months of OPT after graduating with your first Master's degree, enrolling in a second, third, or even fourth Master's degree will not grant you any additional OPT time. You have already exhausted your Master's-level OPT allowance.
2Does the STEM Extension Change Things?
The 24-month STEM OPT extension follows slightly different rules, but the core principle remains the same. You can only apply for the STEM OPT extension twice in a lifetime, and the second STEM extension must be based on a degree at a higher educational level than the first.
If you used standard OPT and a STEM extension on your first Master's degree, you cannot get another STEM extension on a second Master's degree. You must proceed to a Ph.D. to be eligible again, as clarified by ICE SEVP STEM OPT FAQs.
Warning: Fractional OPT Usage
Even if you only used a fraction of your Master's level OPT (for example, you were authorized for 12 months but only worked for 4 months before starting a new degree), you forfeit the remaining balance when you transfer your SEVIS record to the new degree program. You cannot "pause" and use the remaining 8 months after the second Master's degree.
3Can I use CPT During My Second Master's?
While OPT is exhausted, you may still be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during your second Master's degree, provided that the new program requires internships or practical training as part of its curriculum.
Many students pursuing a second Master's degree look for "Day 1 CPT" universities that allow them to work while studying. However, be extremely cautious. USCIS scrutinizes Day 1 CPT heavily during H-1B petitions to ensure you are maintaining your F-1 academic intent rather than just using the university as a "visa mill" to continue working.
4How to Become Eligible for OPT Again
To unlock a new 12-month period of Optional Practical Training, you must progress to a higher degree level. If you have already exhausted your Master's-level OPT, the only way to get OPT again is to graduate with a Doctorate (Ph.D.).
Upon completing a Ph.D., you will be granted a fresh 12 months of standard OPT, and if your Ph.D. is in a STEM field, you will be eligible for another 24-month STEM extension.
Track Your OPT Compliance Intelligently
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Conclusion & Action Steps
If you are planning to enroll in a second Master's degree, understand that you are doing so strictly for academic purposes—you will not receive a new OPT work authorization at the end of it. You should plan your career and immigration trajectory accordingly, looking at H-1B sponsorship, Day 1 CPT options, or advancing to a Ph.D. level program if U.S. work authorization is your primary goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get OPT twice for two different Master's degrees?
No. Under USCIS and ICE regulations, F-1 students are only eligible for 12 months of OPT at each higher educational degree level. If you used your OPT after your first Master's, you cannot get another 12 months for a second Master's degree.
How do I get OPT again after a Master's degree?
To become eligible for OPT again after utilizing it for a Master's degree, you must progress to a higher degree level, such as completing a Ph.D. or Doctorate program.