Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization available to international students who have been in valid F-1 status for at least four consecutive quarters and who plan to seek employment in the US in their field of study. OPT is recommended by PAU Student Services, but final approval is granted by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). This final approval can take between two to four months, so plan ahead! OPT allows for a total of 12 months of employment.