Pre-Completion OPT

For work during a program of study and before graduation.

Summary

• Work must be directly related to field of study (major)
• Must choose start and end dates before graduation.
• Part-time and full-time segments may be included on one application, but the segments must be within a continuous authorization period and must not overlap.
• Not dependent on job offers
• Unemployment days allowed
• No reporting requirements
• Employment may not start until the approved start date is reached or until the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is received, whichever is later.
• May apply up to 90 days before the start of eligibility (i.e., the end of one full academic year)
• ISS must issue an I-20 with OPT recommendation
• Must file application within 30 days of issuance date of I-20 with OPT recommendation

Total Time Allowed

• Up to 12 months at full-time.
• This 12-month allotment is shared with post-completion OPT. Pre-completion reduces time available for post-completion later. Part-time authorization deducts 50% from full-time authorization, such that 12 months of part-time authorization is equal to 6 months of full-time authorization.
• Part-time authorization only during regular semesters; full-time authorization possible during official school breaks or in the case of graduate students, when all coursework is completed except for thesis or equivalent.

General Eligibility

• Must be in active F-1 status
• Must have been enrolled continuously in a degree program for at least one full academic year
• Must not have exhausted 12-month OPT at the same level of study
• Must not have used OPT at a higher education level
• Not available if after an aggregate of 12 months of full-time CPT authorization has been granted

When to Apply

The earliest that a student may apply is 90 days before the start date of eligibility. The date of eligibility starts after the completion of one academic year as an F-1 student. You must have been continuously enrolled full-time during this time. For example, if you started your degree program in fall semester, your eligibility for Pre-Completion OPT would start after the end of spring semester. A student may also apply at any time after the start of eligibility. Just keep in mind that the requested start and end date must be before graduation.

Step 1: Gather Evidence

Make sure you have all of the required evidence:

• 2 x 2" photo of you - Any printed photo will need to be scanned for upload.
  • Visit U.S. Passport page to view photo standards. The photo must have been taken within 6 months of your application.
  • NOTE: The accepted file formats for the photo is different from the other documents.
• Form I-94 - Visit the Customs and Border Protection I-94 page to download your most recent I-94.
  • Students who changed status to F-1 while in the U.S. and never departed should have a copy of the I-94 issued by USCIS with their approval notice.
  • DO NOT submit I-94 History.
• Passport - This should be a copy of the identification page from your most current, unexpired passport.
• Proof of Enrollment - This should be a copy of your transcript that shows that you will have enrolled and completed at least two full, continuous semesters by the requested OPT start date.
• Previously authorized CPT or OPT - All previous I-20s that show CPT and/or OPT authorizations (include signed page 1 and page 2 (or 3, if older version)). EADs for OPT may be substituted in place of missing I-20s.
• Form I-20 - You will receive this later in Step 3.

Step 2: Create/Login to USCIS Account and Start Online Form I-765 Application

Go to the USCIS website and click "sign in" at the top right-corner to sign in or create an account.

• For help on how to create an account, view the USCIS how-to video,
• After login, find the option to "File a form online." From the list of forms, select "I-765, Application for Employment Authorization."
• Although only a few questions are marked required (*), try to answer all the questions.
• For help, open and view the Application Guide on this page.
• WARNING: Do not submit the I-765 and pay the fee without completing Step 3; otherwise, your application will be rejected.

When you get to the "Review and Submit section," you will see the screenshot below. Click on "view draft snapshot" to see what your answers look like on the actual form I-765. Download this form to submit with your ISS Request, if you want a review of your application.

Step 3:  Get I-20 with OPT recommendation and (optional) Review of Form I-765

Submit an ISS Request for "F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)."

• In the request, you have the option to request the I-20 only, or the I-20 plus an application review.
• The review will require that you submit a draft of the form I-765 and all required evidence.

Step 4:  Upload I-20, Complete and Submit Online Form I-765

Review and submit application, and pay the fee.

Cancelling Pre-Completion OPT

1. Before filing with USCIS
   1. CANCEL - You must submit an ISS Request to "Cancel/End Approved Request," which will remove the OPT recommendation. Provide your original request ID number and note that you have not submitted an application to USCIS yet.
   2. You may request again at a later date if your program hasn't ended.
2. After filing with USCIS
   1. WITHDRAW - You can no longer cancel your OPT request through ISS. You must contact USCIS through your USCIS account and withdraw your application. You will lose your fee payment.
3. After USCIS approval
   1. Once approved, you cannot withdraw or cancel. Your approved OPT time will be deducted from the total allotted amount.

Below are all the sections and questions on the online form I-765. Explanation notes highlighted in red are provided for questions that may be difficult to understand.

GETTING STARTED

Basis of eligibility

• What is your eligibility category? SELECT: (c)(3)(A) Student Pre-Completion OPT
• Would you like to request Premium Processing Service?

Reason for applying

• What is your reason for applying? SELECT: Initial permission to accept employment
• Have you previously filed Form I-765?

Preparer and interpreter information

• Is someone assisting you with completing this application? SELECT: No

ABOUT YOU

Your name

• What is your current legal name?
• Have you used any other names since birth?

Your contact information

• How may we contact you?
• What is your current U.S. mailing address? NOTE: This is where your EAD (“OPT card”) will be mailed. Make sure your address is formatted correctly so that it can be delivered properly.
• Is your current mailing address the same as your physical address?

Describe yourself

• What is your sex?
• What is your marital status?

When and where you were born

• What is your city, town, or village of birth?
• What is your state or province of birth?
• What is your country of birth?
• What is your date of birth?

Your immigration information

• What is your country of citizenship or nationality?
• What is your Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number (if any)? NOTE: Use most recent I-94. If you changed status within the U.S., use the I-94 provided to you on the approval notice.
• When did you last arrive in the United States?
• What is the passport number of your most recently issued passport?
• What is your travel document number (if any)? NOTE: Leave blank
• What is the expiration date of your passport or travel document? NOTE: Provide information from most current passport
• What country issued your passport or travel document?
• What is your current immigration status or category? SELECT: F1 – Student Academic Or Language Program
• What is your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Number (if any)? NOTE: This is the number the top of your I-20.

Other information

• What is your A-Number? NOTE: Leave blank if not pre-populated.
• What is your USCIS Online Account Number? NOTE: This may be pre-filled. If not, you may leave blank or enter current USCIS account number.
• What is your U.S. Social Security number (SSN)? NOTE: If you have an SSN, enter it. If you do not have an SSN, check the box "I do not have or know my U.S. Social Security number." Once you receive your EAD ("OPT card"), you will be able to apply for an SSN if you don't have one yet. Follow the instructions on our SSN page.

EVIDENCE

2" x 2" photo of you

• 2" x 2" photo of you

Form I-94 or passport

• Form I-94, Arrival and Departure Record or passport. NOTE: Upload most recent I-94.

Employment Authorization Document

• Employment Authorization Document or Government ID. NOTE: Although it uses the term "Employment Authorization Document (EAD)," it does not mean you need an EAD. This is for identification purposes only, so any official government ID would be accepted. Uploading your most recent, unexpired passport is easiest and sufficient.

Proof of enrollment

• Proof of enrollment. NOTE: Upload a copy of your transcript that shows at least two full, continuous semesters of enrollment completed by the requested OPT start date.

Previously authorized CPT or OPT

• Previously authorized CPT or OPT. NOTE: Upload all past I-20s (pages 1 & 2) with CPT or OPT authorizations. Provide EAD cards if you do not have I-20s for past OPTs.

Form I-20

• I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. NOTE: This is the I-20 with OPT recommendation that you will receive from the ISS Office. Do not upload any other I-20. Do not submit your application without this I-20.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Additional Information. NOTE: If you have missing CPT or OPT I-20s, note here. Try to provide the start and end dates for each authorization, the I-20 SEVIS number, and the level of study for which it was given.

Step 1: Approval

To get an estimate of how long it will take for your OPT application to be processed, visit the USICS Processing Times webpage: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/. Sometimes it can be shorter or longer. An application to USCIS may get (1) approved, (2) rejected, (3) denied, or (4) a request for evidence (RFE).

1. Approved - USCIS will send a message and approval notice. The message will also tell you that Employment Authorization Document (EAD, or "OPT card") is being produced. USCIS will send another message when your EAD is mailed to you, and may or may not provide you with mail tracking information.
   1. When you receive your EAD, check the card for errors. Your original requested start date and end dates may differ from the dates you requested, usually because they could not approve it in time for that start date. If you think there is an error, contact ISS.
   2. You may not start working until you receive your EAD and you have reached the start date of your authorization.
2. Rejected - This usually happens if you application is filed incorrectly, like if you file before the application window is open, or you are missing your I-20 with OPT recommendation. It does not mean that you are denied, only that you should refile correctly.
3. Denied - This happens when you are ruled ineligible, perhaps because of a violation found on your immigration record. You cannot re-apply and are usually told that you must depart the U.S. It is rare that a student receives a denial.
4. Request for Evidence (RFE) - USCIS may send you a message requesting additional evidence or information that is needed before they can rule on your application.

Step 2: Report Approval to ISS

• Submit an ISS Request for "update record/status" to report your OPT approval. You will need to upload a copy of your EAD.

Step 3: Record Employment

• SEVP does not require you to report employment while on Pre-Completion OPT as there is no unemployment limit. However, it is strongly recommended that you keep records of your employment (e.g., employment offer letters, description of duties, dates of employment, work hours, etc.).