Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows eligible F-1 students to work in a position directly related to their major while they are still completing their degree.
Pre-Completion OPT is less commonly used because any Pre-Completion OPT used is deducted from the 12 months of OPT available at your current degree level. Most students choose to save their OPT for employment after graduation.
Pre-Completion OPT may be an option if:
Your requested OPT start and end dates will occur while you are still enrolled in your degree program.
You have a work or training opportunity directly related to your major but are not eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
If you are graduating soon and need employment authorization to work after graduation, you should apply for Post-Completion OPT instead.
Important: Consider the Time, Cost, and Impact on Your Future OPT
Before applying, make sure you understand that Pre-Completion OPT uses part of the same 12-month OPT benefit that you may want to use after graduation.
Part-time Pre-Completion OPT is deducted at a 50% rate. For example, two months of part-time Pre-Completion OPT reduces your remaining OPT by one month.
Full-time Pre-Completion OPT is deducted at the full rate. For example, two months of full-time Pre-Completion OPT reduces your remaining OPT by two months.
Pre-Completion OPT also requires a separate application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and payment of the required USCIS filing fee.
USCIS processing can take several months. Students should plan for approximately 3–5 months of processing time, although actual processing times can vary. You cannot begin working simply because you submitted the application or because your requested start date has arrived.
If you later want to use Post-Completion OPT after graduation, you will need to submit a new Post-Completion OPT application to USCIS and pay the applicable USCIS filing fee again.
Because of the processing time, cost, and effect on your remaining OPT eligibility, we strongly encourage you to discuss your plans with ISS before applying.
You may be eligible to apply for Pre-Completion OPT if:
You are currently maintaining valid F-1 status.
Your OPT employment will begin and end while you are still enrolled in your degree program.
You have completed, or will have completed before the employment begins, one full academic year of full-time study.
You have not completed 12 months or more of full-time CPT.
You have not previously used all 12 months of OPT available at your current degree level.
The employment or training will be directly related to the major listed on your I-20.
You do not need a job offer to apply for Pre-Completion OPT. However, ISS strongly recommends having a specific employment or training opportunity in mind before applying because authorized Pre-Completion OPT reduces the OPT available to you after graduation even if you ultimately do not use all of the authorized employment period.
While school is in session, Pre-Completion OPT is limited to 20 hours per week or less.
Part-time Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from your 12 months of available OPT at a 50% rate.
Pre-Completion OPT may be authorized for more than 20 hours per week during eligible annual vacation periods or other periods when school is not in session.
Full-time Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from your available OPT at the full rate.
Plan ahead. USCIS processing may take approximately 3–5 months, and processing times can change.
You may request your Pre-Completion OPT I-20 from ISS up to 90 days before your requested employment start date.
After ISS recommends Pre-Completion OPT and issues your new I-20, you must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to USCIS.
Your Form I-765 must be filed with USCIS within 30 days of the date ISS enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS. Filing outside this period can result in USCIS denying the application.
Check current USCIS processing times when planning your application.
Discuss your Pre-Completion OPT plans with an ISS adviser.
ISS can help you determine whether Pre-Completion OPT is appropriate for your situation and discuss how using Pre-Completion OPT may affect the OPT you have available after graduation.
Do not submit your Pre-Completion OPT application to USCIS before receiving your OPT I-20 from ISS.
Choose your requested Pre-Completion OPT start and end dates carefully.
Your start date is the date you are requesting your employment authorization to begin. You may not work before USCIS approves your application, you receive your EAD, and your authorized start date has arrived.
Your end date is the date your Pre-Completion OPT authorization ends. The requested end date cannot extend beyond your academic program end date.
Your requested dates generally cannot be changed after you submit your application to USCIS. Contact ISS immediately if your plans change.
Your actual approved dates may differ from the dates you requested depending on USCIS processing.
Visit myHilltop to request a Pre-Completion OPT I-20 and select Pre-Completion OPT as the type of OPT requested.
You must receive and sign your Pre-Completion OPT I-20 before submitting your Form I-765 to USCIS.
The ISS recommendation for Pre-Completion OPT will appear on page 2 of your I-20.
Remember that your USCIS application must be filed within 30 days of the OPT recommendation entered in SEVIS.
The eligibility category for Pre-Completion OPT is (c)(3)(A).
Follow the USCIS Form I-765 instructions and the ISS instructions for submitting your application online.
You will be required to pay the applicable USCIS filing fee. USCIS fees can change, so always confirm the current fee directly with USCIS before submitting your application.
Keep a complete copy of everything you submit to USCIS for your records.
USCIS offers Premium Processing for eligible OPT applications for an additional filing fee. Premium Processing does not eliminate the regular Form I-765 filing fee.
Review current fees, eligibility, and processing information on the USCIS Premium Processing page before deciding whether to request this service.
After filing, check your USCIS online account regularly for case updates, requests, and notices. Do not rely only on receiving notices in the mail.
If you filed online, your receipt notice should be available through your USCIS online account. Your receipt number can be used to check your case status.
It is normal for a case to remain in a "Case Was Received" or similar status for much of the USCIS processing period.
USCIS may require you to attend a Biometrics Services Appointment at an Application Support Center (ASC).
If biometrics are required, USCIS will send you a notice with the date, time, location, and instructions for your appointment. A biometrics appointment is generally a brief appointment during which USCIS may collect your fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature for identity verification and security checks.
Because USCIS notices may appear in your online account, check your USCIS account frequently while your application is pending.
If you cannot attend your scheduled biometrics appointment, request to reschedule it as soon as possible and, whenever possible, before the scheduled appointment date. Follow the instructions provided by USCIS to reschedule through your USCIS online account or the USCIS Contact Center.
Do not ignore or simply miss a required biometrics appointment. Failure to attend without properly requesting a new appointment may affect your application and could result in USCIS considering the application abandoned or denying it.
Learn more about USCIS Biometrics Services Appointments.
If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), a returned application, or a denial from USCIS, contact ISS immediately.
ISS may need to review the notice or issue a new I-20 before you respond to USCIS or submit another application.
You may not begin working while your Pre-Completion OPT application is pending.
You may begin employment only after:
USCIS approves your Form I-765;
You receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD); and
Your authorized OPT start date has arrived.
Your authorized OPT dates will appear on your EAD.
All employment during Pre-Completion OPT must be directly related to the major listed on your I-20.
Pre-Completion OPT does not automatically convert to Post-Completion OPT.
If you want to continue or begin employment after completing your degree, you must apply separately for Post-Completion OPT. This requires a new ISS recommendation, a new Form I-765 application to USCIS, and payment of the applicable USCIS filing fee.
Remember that any Pre-Completion OPT you use will reduce the amount of Post-Completion OPT available to you at the same degree level.