Pre-Completion OPT

Pre-Completion OPT Application Instructions

“Pre-Completion” Optional Practical Training is used while you are still enrolled in your degree. Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from the 12 months of OPT available each degree level. Pre-Completion OPT is rare: most students save OPT to use after program completion.

Pre-Completion OPT is only used when:

• Your OPT start and end date will be during your studies (not after graduation).

• You have a training opportunity but might not be eligible for CPT.

If you are graduating soon and need OPT approval to work after graduation, you must apply for Post-Completion OPT.

Students who are not graduating soon and need authorization for an internship, practicum, or other work/training related to your studies, first consider Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following criteria:

• You are currently in F-1 status.

• You will begin and end your OPT during your enrolled course of study.

• You have been enrolled in a full course of study for one academic year.

• You have not been authorized for 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

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

Although you do not need a job offer to apply, we advise you to have a job offer to ensure you use the benefit. Authorized pre-completion OPT is deducted from the 12 months of full-time OPT available.

Hours

Pre-Completion OPT Authorization

Part-Time

Up to 20 hours per week. During your full-time enrollment quarters. Part-time Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from the 12-month OPT availability at a 50% rate (example: 2 months of part-time pre-completion OPT equals one month of regular OPT).

Full-time

More than 20 hours per week. During your annual vacation quarter and between quarter breaks.

When to Apply

• You may request the OPT I-20 from ISS up to 90 days before your requested employment start date.

• After you receive the OPT I-20 from ISS, you will apply for OPT through U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. 

Steps to Apply

Step 1: Consult an ISS adviser.

Discuss your Pre-Completion OPT plans with an ISS adviser.

Step 2: Request your Pre-Completion OPT I-20 from ISS.

• 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 earlier than the start date, but you can start working later.

  • The “end date” is the date your work permission ends. You cannot request an end date later than your academic program end date.

  • You cannot change the OPT dates after you file your application with USCIS.

  • Your approved start date may be different from your requested start date, based on USCIS processing times.

  • Apply by mail: Submit your physical Form I-765 for Pre-Completion OPT to USCIS. 

  • Apply online: Submit your online Form I-765 for Pre-completion OPT to USCIS.

• Visit myHilltop to request a Pre-Completion OPT I-20, choosing Pre-Completion OPT as the Type of OPT Requested.

Step 3: Receive your Pre-Completion OPT I-20 from ISS.

• 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.

Step 4: Submit your I-765 application to USCIS.

Review the USCIS application instructions. The eligibility category code for Pre-Completion OPT is (c)(3)(A).

After You Submit Your Pre-Completion OPT Application to USCIS

RFEs, Returned, or Denied Applications

If you receive a “Request for Evidence” (RFE), returned application, or denied application, contact ISS immediately. ISS might need to provide a new I-20 before you can respond to the USCIS inquiry or resubmit your OPT application.

USCIS Case Status, Processing Times, and Expedites

If you submit your OPT application online, you will receive a receipt notice immediately. If you mail a paper application, USCIS will mail you a receipt notice (I-797 Notice of Action) confirming receipt of your OPT application, assigning a receipt date and case number.

You may use the case number on your receipt notice to check the status of your application online.

It is normal for your case status to say ‘case received’ for most of the USCIS processing period.

Starting Work

You may not begin employment until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and the approved OPT start date is known. Authorized OPT dates will be on your EAD.

OPT employment must be directly related to your major area of study.

Note: You must file a separate application for Post-Completion OPT if you want to work after graduation.