Pre-Completion OPT

Pre-Completion OPT

Pre-Completion OPT

On this page: Definition, Conditions, Eligibility & Requirements, When to Apply, How to Apply, Expiration

Definition: Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an off-campus employment authorization that allows F-1 students to gain work experience related to their major field of study. OPT authorization must be recommended by the International Center before students apply for OPT through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students may apply for Pre-Completion OPT or Post-Completion OPT. For information about Post-Completion OPT, please visit this webpage. 

Pre-Completion OPT is when the start date is prior to the program end date on the student's I-20.

Pre-Completion OPT Conditions

  • Your OPT employment must be directly related to your major field of study.
  • You are permitted a maximum of 12 months of full-time employment for each higher educational level you pursue int he U.S. (e.g. bachelor's or master's degree). This regulation encompasses both pre-completion and post-completion OPT.
    • More information about time deductions of pre-completion OPT from post-completion OPT can be found in the “Pre-Completion OPT Eligibility & Requirements” section below. 
  • You cannot begin your employment until you have received your approved Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If the start date printed on your EAD card is in the future, you must wait to start working until on or after the start date.
  • If you have used full-time CPT for one year or more, you are no longer eligible for OPT. The use of part-time CPT does not affect eligibility for OPT.

Pre-Completion OPT Eligibility & Requirements 

  • Students may participate in pre-completion OPT during their studies after they have been enrolled in the U.S. for at least one full academic year.
  • Students must work part-time when school is in session.
  • Students may work part-time or full-time during vacation periods for students if they are registered at Rowan in the following semester. 
  • No specific job offer is required to apply for OPT. If a student does not find employment while on pre-completion OPT, please note that they will still have this period of employment deducted from their post-completion OPT. More information about time deductions from post-completion OPT can be found below:
    • Part-time pre-completion OPT deducts from a student’s overall period of 12 months of OPT (including any post-completion OPT) at a rate of 50%. For example, 6 months of part-time pre-completion OPT counts as 3 months of the total of 12 months of OPT students are allowed.
    • Full-time pre-completion OPT deducts at a 1:1 rate. For example, 2 months of full-time post-completion OPT counts as 2 months of the total of 12 months of OPT students are allowed.

Note: All periods of pre-completion OPT are deducted from the available post-completion OPT.

When to Apply

We highly recommend scheduling an appointment with an International Student Advisor to discuss if pre-completion OPT is right for you. 

  • Pre-completion OPT applications can be filed up to 90 days before the proposed OPT start date if the student has completed a full academic year in F-1 status.
    • If not, the student may only file the I-765 for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before the end of the first full academic year.  
  • The application must be filed within 30 days of the date your International Student Advisor enters the OPT recommendation into SEVIS. 

How to Apply

Please log in to Terra Dotta to view step-by-step instructions for the application process and submit your Pre-Completion OPT request.

Pre-Completion OPT Expiration

Pre-Completion OPT authorization ends on the expiration of your EAD, or your I-20 end date, whichever comes first. Pre-Completion OPT authorization will also end if you change to another status or transfer to another institution.