What is Pre-Completion OPT?
“Pre-Completion” Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorization for F-1 students who are still enrolled in your degree program. The employment must be directly related to the student’s major area of study.
Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from the 12 months of OPT available at each degree level. It is relatively uncommon because many students save their OPT for employment after completing their program through Post-Completion OPT.
Pre-Completion OPT is only used when:
- The OPT start and end date will be during a program of study (not after graduation).
- The training opportunity but might not be suitable for CPT.
- Students who are not graduating soon and need authorization for an internship, practicum, or other work/training required for their degree should first consider Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
Students who are graduating soon and need OPT approval to work after graduation, you must apply for Post-Completion OPT. Master’s and doctoral students may be eligible to apply for Post-Completion OPT while completing thesis or dissertation requirements; that is different from Pre-Completion OPT.
Considerations
- A job offer is not required to submit an application. However, ISS advises having a job offer to avoid using OPT authorization unnecessarily.
- After USCIS approval and with the Pre-Completion OPT EAD card, students may work for multiple employers during the authorized period, provided each job is directly related to their major and otherwise complies with OPT requirements.
- There are no unemployment days for pre-completion OPT.
- Pre-Completion OPT may provide an authorization option when an off-campus opportunity does not qualify for CPT.
Pre-completion OPT time is deducted from future Post-completion OPT
Authorized Pre-Completion OPT reduces the 12 months of OPT available at the applicable degree level:
- Part-time pre-completion OPT deducts from post-completion OPT at a .5 rate (i.e. two months of part-time Pre-Completion OPT reduces future OPT by one month).
- Full-time pre-completion OPT deducts from post-completion OPT at a 1 to 1 rate (i.e. two months of full-time Pre-Completion OPT reduces future OPT by two months).
Once OPT is authorized, unused authorized time generally cannot be recovered. Request dates you reasonably expect to use.
| Pre-Completion OPT Authorization | |
|---|---|
| Part-Time |
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| Full-time |
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| Thesis/Dissertation Students: Full-time |
|
Note: It is not possible to easily switch from part-time authorization to full-time (and vice versa). A change in authorization would require a new USCIS application and a new EAD.
USCIS Application Cost
Pre-Completion OPT requires students to file the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS. USCIS fees can change, so students should confirm the current amount in the USCIS Fee Calculator before filing.
Premium Processing
Premium processing is optional and does not replace the Form I-765 filing fee. The total cost is the applicable Form I-765 fee plus the premium-processing fee, if requested. ISS cannot guarantee USCIS processing times or expedite an application on a student’s behalf.
Eligibility
Students are eligible to apply if they:
- are currently in F-1 status.
- will begin and end their OPT during their enrolled course of study.
- have been enrolled in a full course of study for one academic year (three quarters).
- are in a major. Pre-major students are not eligible for Pre-Completion OPT.
- have not been authorized for 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
- have not previously completed 12 months of full-time OPT at the same degree level.
Although a job offer is not required to apply, ISS advises students to have a job offer to ensure they are able to use the benefit. Authorized pre-completion OPT is deducted from the 12 months of full-time OPT available.
Eligibility does not guarantee approval. USCIS must approve Form I-765 before students may begin working.
When to Apply
- You may request the Pre-Completion OPT I-20 from ISS up to 90 days before your requested employment start date. Allow ISS 2-3 weeks for processing.
- After ISS issues the OPT I-20, you must apply for OPT through USCIS. Check current USCIS processing times and take this into consideration for your timeline.
- Do not submit the USCIS application before receiving the signed OPT I-20 from ISS. USCIS may deny an application submitted without the required OPT recommendation on the I-20.
How to Apply
Discuss your Pre-Completion OPT plans with an ISS advisor.
If you decide Pre-Completion OPT is the right choice for you after discussing your opportunity and other considerations with an advisor, ISS will initiate the Pre-Completion OPT I-20 request in MyISSS.
- Do not apply for Pre-Completion OPT with USCIS before you get your OPT I-20 from ISS. USCIS will deny the application.
- Choose your planned Pre-Completion OPT start and end dates.
- The start date is the date your work permission begins. You cannot work before that date, although you may begin working later.
- The end date is the date your work permission ends, and it cannot be later than your academic program end date.
- You cannot change the OPT dates after filing the Form I-765 with USCIS.
- USCIS may approve a start date different from your requested date depending on processing time.
- Log into MyISSS to request a Pre-Completion OPT I-20.
- You must receive a signed Pre-Completion OPT I-20 from ISS before you submit you OPT application to USCIS.
- The ISS recommendation for Pre-Completion OPT will appear on page 2 of the I-20.
After receiving the signed OPT I-20, review the USCIS instructions and submit Form I-765 under eligibility category (c)(3)(A). Include the required fee and supporting documents.
- You must receive the signed OPT I-20 from ISS before submitting the USCIS application.
After You Submit Your Pre-Completion OPT Application to USCIS
USCIS Case Status, Processing Times, and Expedites
If the application is submitted online, USCIS generally provides a receipt notice electronically. The notice is sent shortly after filing the form I-765.
The case number on the receipt notice can be used to check the status of an application online. It is normal for a case status to say ‘case received’ for most of the USCIS processing period.
USCIS rarely expedites OPT applications. ISS cannot contact USCIS on a student’s behalf to request expedited processing.
RFEs, Returned, or Denied Applications
If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), returns an application, or denies it, contact ISS immediately. Some RFE responses or resubmissions to USCIS will require a new I-20 from ISS.
Starting Work
Practical training can only begin once all conditions are met:
- The student has received their EAD from USCIS.
- The approved OPT start date on the EAD has arrived.
- The OPT activity is directly related to the student’s major area of study.
It is recommended that you report any practical training activities through ISS. Please send ISS an email to initiate this reporting request.
After Pre-Completion OPT
All training activities must conclude by the end of the authorized OPT period. While reporting the end of any practical training activities is recommended, no other specific action is needed at the end of a Pre-Completion OPT period.
Note: In order to work after graduation, students must file a separate application for Post-Completion OPT. Pre-Completion OPT does not automatically authorize employment after the degree program ends.