"Optional Practical Training" is the term used by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to refer to authorized employment undertaken by international students in F-1 status which is related to the student's program of study. Practical Training employment is designed to give students practical work experience in their chosen field of study so that they may make a more effective professional contribution upon return to their home country. Optional Practical Training employment authorization is granted by the U.S.I.N.S. upon application from the student and recommendation from the International Student Advisor.

 

Key features of practical training

• ALL TYPES of optional practical training are limited to an aggregate total of 12 months.

• Curricular practical training (internships) are a separate category.

• The employment must be directly related to the student's area of study.

• During the student's annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session if the student is currently enrolled and intends to register for the next semester.
• While school is in session, provided the practical training does not exceed 20 hours per week. For the purpose of calculating available practical training, this is counted at half the full time rate. In other words, 1 year of part time practical training is equivalent to 6 months of full time practical training.
• After completion of course requirements, excluding a thesis or graduate project.
• After graduation. This category of optional Practical Training is referred to as "Post-Completion".

The Application Process:

• The student requests the Optional Practical Training "package" which includes all forms and application materials. This is available in the International Student Services Office.

• The student completes all documents according to instructions in the package.

• 2 ADIT style photos meeting requirements-must be included.

Processing period is approximately 90 days.

The student may request a starting date as early as the day after graduation (for post-completion), or as late as 60 days after graduation.

With the attendant 90 day processing period, it is essential that the student apply well in advance of the anticipated starting date of employment. There is NO expedited procedure for a student who has a job offer.

Employment cannot begin until a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has been issued.

Applications for Optional Practical Training (Post-completion) must be submitted no earlier than 120 days before graduation and no later than 60 days after graduation.

 

 

Students should be warned that any Optional Practical Training taken before graduation will be subtracted from the one year aggregate time available, thus reducing the possible practical training time after graduation. Therefore, careful planning is essential.

After being granted, the practical training time is "used", whether the student works or not. Extensions of Optional Practical Training beyond 12 months are not possible.

Students who have completed more than 12 months of full time Curricular Practical Training (full time is defined as more than 20 hours per week) are not eligible for Optional Practical Training. This would be an unlikely situation, since most academic departments limit internships to one or two semesters.

The International Student Services Office encourages students to make use of Curricular Practical Training whenever it is appropriate. It has two major advantages; 1) the time used is not subtracted from the one year of Optional Practical Training and 2) the international student advisor has authority to actually grant the practical training authorization. Therefore, there is no waiting period for USCIS to process and no doubt if the authorization will be granted. There are two disadvantages to Curricular Practical Training; 1) the student must register (and pay for) one unit or more, and, of course, 2) the student must be eligible for a PLNU internship and find a job that is approved by both the academic department and the office offering the internship.