Santa Clara University

Optional Practical Training

Under Optional Practical Training, students are eligible for a total of 12 months of employment that must be directly related to the student's field of study. Part-time Optional Practical Training (20 hrs. or less), will be deducted from the available Optional Practical Training at one-half the full-time rate (e.g., if you were to work half-time for two months before you graduate, you would have eleven months of employment eligibility remaining after you graduate). Full-time Optional Practical Training before the completion of studies is deducted at the full-time rate.

Students must submit proper documentation to the SCU International Student Services for preliminary processing, and then apply by mail to the USCIS for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Employment may not begin until the EAD has been received by the student. A job offer is NOT required in order for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to be granted. Processing time by the USCIS varies but is currently estimated at 90-120 days.

How to Qualify
Under this type of practical training, employment authorization will be granted by USCIS if all conditions are met: the student has been in valid F-1 status for an academic year (appproximately 9 months) prior to the start of the requested practical training period the job is directly related to the student's field of study; and the job is commensurate with the student's educational level.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is different from Curricular Practical Training (CPT).  Please read OPT vs CPT (pdf).