Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)

What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization that provides F-1 visa students an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in their field of study to a practical work experience. 

Pre-completion Optional Practical Training - Is a type of employment authorization for F-1 students that allows them to work off-campus in a job related to their major/field of study before they complete their program of study. You may apply to participate in pre-completion OPT after you have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year. Use of pre-completion OPT reduces the eligibility time for post-completion OPT.

Applying for OPT is a multi-step process that requires careful planning and attention to deadlines.

Eligibility to Apply for Pre-Completion OPT

  • Students are eligible to apply for OPT if they have been a full-time F-1 student in good standing for at least one full academic year.
  • Your Pre-Completion OPT start and end dates must fall  within your program of study dates.  

  • You have not previously been authorized for 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at the same degree level for which you are requesting Pre-Completion OPT.  

  • You have not previously completed 12 months of full-time OPT at the same degree level.  

  • Undergraduate students:  You must have declared a major.  Undeclared majors are not eligible for OPT.  

Part-Time vs Full-time Pre-Completion OPT

Pre-Completion OPT may be authorized at part-time or full-time status. Each request for part-time or full-time Pre-Completion OPT requires a new and separate application to USCIS. Part-time and full-time OPT are separate authorizations  that require separate applications  to USCIS.   

 

Part-Time Full-Time
  • Permitted during the academic term (Fall & Spring Semester)
  • Permitted during Summer and Winter vacation.
  • May only work 20 hours or less per week.
  • Permitted only during the Summer and Winter vacation.
  • Can only be authorized during the academic term if a graduate student has completed all program requirements except the thesis/dissertation.
  • May work more than 20 hours per week.

 

Pre-Completion OPT Deducts from Post-Completion OPT

Eligible F-1 students may request a total of 12 months of full-time Optional Practical Training (OPT) per degree level. This total duration of OPT may be split between Pre-Completion OPT and Post-Completion OPT.  

Students are responsible for tracking their Pre-Completion OPT usage and determining the amount of Post-Completion OPT time for which they are eligible.   

IMPORTANT: Students who utilize all 12 months of initial OPT during their program of study (Pre-Completion OPT):  

  • are not eligible for initial Post-Completion OPT after they graduate; and  
  • are not eligible for the 2-year STEM OPT Extension.  

Part-time Pre-Completion OPT deducts at half the rate from Post-Completion OPT.

For example:  

  • 2 months of part-time Pre-Completion OPT, deducts 1 month from Post-Completion OPT.  

  • 1 year of part-time Pre-Completion OPT, deducts 6 months from Post-Completion OPT. 

Full-time Pre-Completion OPT deducts at full rate from Post-Completion OPT. 

For example:

  • 3 months of full-time Pre-Completion OPT, deducts 3 months from Post-Completion OPT.  

Understanding the Application Timeline & Processing Times

It is your responsibility to plan accordingly for university and USCIS processing times, and to communicate this timeline to your prospective employer when discussing your employment start and end dates with them.  

Do not begin working until you have received your Pre-Completion OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) and the start date of your EAD has arrived. Working before the start date on your EAD card is a violation of F-1 status. Any delays to your Pre-Completion OPT application processing may delay your requested EAD start date.  

You must submit your Pre-Completion OPT application (Form I-765) to USCIS: 

  • no earlier than 90 days before you complete the One Academic Year Requirement.  
  • no earlier than 90 days before your requested OPT start date.  
  • no later than 30 days after the “Date Issued” on your OPT I-20. 

Students who submit their application outside of their eligibility window will receive an OPT denial from USCIS. 

Standard processing: USCIS’ standard processing time runs approximately 3-5 months. Some applications may take longer for them to review.  

Premium processing: For premium processing, USCIS will do their best to review your application within 30 business days. Adherence to the 30-business-day window is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of USCIS. Check the USCIS website for premium processing  fee information.  

Stages of Applying for Pre-Completion OPT

To make the process easier, we’ve broken down the application into four stages:

Stage 1: Your Timeline & Pre-Completion OPT Request I-20

Stage 2: Submit your Pre-Completion OPT application to USCIS

Stage 3: Wait for USCIS to process your application

Stage 4: Maintain your F-1 status while on Pre-Completion OPT