Pre-Completion OPT

Pre-Completion OPT

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)

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. Students must first receive an I-20 with OPT recommendation, then apply for OPT authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students can apply for Pre-Completion OPT or Post-Completion OPT. For information about Post-Completion OPT, please visit this webpage.

 Pre-Completion OPT refers to any OPT authorization that begins before the program end date listed on a student’s Form I‑20.

If you are interested in Pre-Completion OPT, please schedule an appointment with your International Student Advisor to discuss your plans. The International Center will not process your request unless you first meet with an advisor.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Pre-Completion OPT, you must...

  • Watch the OPT Workshop.
  • Be in lawful F-1 status in the U.S. for at least one full academic year.
  • Be making normal progress toward the completion of your degree.
  • Submit an OPT I-20 request via Terra Dotta.
  • Apply for and receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS.

Conditions of Pre-Completion 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 degree level pursued in the U.S. (bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate). 
  • You cannot work more than 20 hours when classes are in session (full-time employment is permitted during vacation periods). 
  • You are required to file the I-765 via USCIS’s website and pay the application fee. 
    • Please note that if you plan on applying for Post-Completion OPT after graduation, then you will be required to file another I-765! 
  • Employment cannot begin until you receive approval by USCIS and your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is in-hand. If the start date printed on the EAD card is in the future, employment cannot begin until that date. 
    • Pre-Completion OPT authorization lasts until the end date printed on your EAD card—you may not work after that date. 
  • If you have been on full-time CPT for 12 months or more, you are ineligible for OPT. 
  • A job offer is not required for Pre-Completion OPT. 
  • Part-time Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from the allotted 12 months of Post-Completion OPT at a 50% rate. For example, if you receive  12 months of part-time authorization for Pre-Completion OPT, then you are only eligible to apply for 6 months of Post-Completion OPT. 
    • If you do not find employment while on Pre-Completion OPT, you will still have this period of time deducted from your Post-Completion OPT period. 
  • You, as the OPT applicant, are solely responsible for the filing of a timely, complete, and accurate OPT application and for carefully reading and following all instructions from the IC and USCIS. Before submitting to USCIS, carefully review the entire OPT application (including the new I-20). 

Applying for Pre-Completion OPT

If you are interested in Pre-Completion OPT, please schedule an appointment with your International Student Advisor to discuss your plans. The International Center will not process your request unless you first meet with an advisor. 

Please watch our OPT Workshop for detailed instructions on the application process. 

All OPT I-20 applications must be submitted via the OPT I-20 request found in Terra Dotta. 

  • Pre-Completion OPT applications can be filed up to 90 days before the requested start date, assuming you have completed one full academic year in the U.S. 
  • If you have not completed one full academic year, you may only file for Pre-Completion OPT starting 90 days before the end of your first full academic year. 
  • The I-765 application must be filed with USCIS within 30 days of receiving your Pre-Completion OPT Request I-20.