Basics of Pre-Completion OPT

To be eligible to apply for pre-completion OPT, you must:

• Be in valid F-1 status
• Have completed at least one academic year of full-time study in the U.S. by the time your OPT authorization starts
• Pursue a job directly related to your major
• Receive a new I-20 recommending OPT

You are not eligible if you:

• Have been authorized 12 or more months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at your current degree level
• Were previously authorized for OPT at a higher degree level (if this is your case consult with an ISSS advisor)
• Have already used 12 months of full-time OPT at your current degree level

Post-completion

OPT that will be done after you complete your degree program. Learn more about post-completion OPT.  Also see the additional information below for graduate students in a Plan A, Plan B or thesis program.

Pre-completion

OPT that will be done before you complete your degree program. This may be used as an alternative if Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is not available. If available, most students choose to use CPT for off-campus work authorization before they complete their degree. Except in rare cases, CPT time is not subtracted from your OPT time.

Any pre-completion OPT that you receive will be subtracted from your total 12 months.  For pre-completion OPT, you may request part-time or full-time OPT.  The full amount of full-time OPT is deducted from the amount of time available for OPT in the future.  Only half the amount of part-time pre-completion OPT is deducted from the amount of time available for OPT in the future..  This is true whether or not you actually work during your pre-completion OPT.  If you apply and are approved for pre-completion OPT but do not find an internship, for example, the approved OPT is still deducted from the time you have available for OPT in the future.

Example 1: Goldy Gopher wants to participate in a summer internship.  Goldy applies and is approved for 3 months of full-time OPT.  The 3 months are deducted in full from the 12 months that Goldy has available at their current degree level.  Goldy has 9 months of OPT left to use in the future.

Example 2: Goldy Gopher wants to participate in a summer internship.  Goldy applies and is approved for 3 months of part-time OPT.  The 3 months are deducted at half the rate from the 12 months that Goldy has available at their current degree level.  Goldy has 10.5 months of OPT left to use in the future.

Example 3: Goldy Gopher wants to participate in a summer internship.  Goldy applies and is approved for 3 months of full-time OPT.  Goldy’s employer appreciates their work and asks them to continue during the academic year.  Goldy applies and is approved for 9 months of part-time OPT.  The first 3 months are deducted in full from the 12 months that Goldy has available at their current degree level.  The next 9 months are deducted at half the rate.  Goldy has 4.5 months of OPT left to use in the future. 

Please also see the potential impacts on STEM OPT eligibility under “OPT Extension.”

Pre-completion OPT has these limits on part-time and full-time participation:

• Academic Year: During the fall or spring semesters. The OPT authorization is for a maximum of 20 hours per week. If you have on- and off-campus jobs, the combination cannot exceed a total of 20 hours per week.
• Vacation Period: For example, over the summer break. The OPT authorization may be part-time (less than or equal to 20 hours per week) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week).

The first step in applying for OPT is to request a new OPT I-20 from ISSS. You can submit your OPT recommendation request in MyISSS 100 days before your requested employment start date. 

Keep in mind that USCIS processing can take several months.  Premium processing is available to expedite the process but students should plan on applying early for this authorization.

Learn more about the application process.

The first step of applying for OPT will be for you to request an OPT I-20 from ISSS. USCIS must receive your OPT application no later than 30 days after the "date issued" on your OPT I-20. This requirement applies to post- and pre-completion OPT.

Pre-completion OPT does not have limits on unemployment.  Post-completion and STEM OPT do.  

If you are interested in extending your OPT and have time remaining, you will need to go through the same application process with USCIS.

If you complete a new degree at a higher level in the U.S., you are eligible for another 12 months of OPT. For example, if you complete a bachelor's degree, receive OPT, then you complete a master's degree, you are eligible for 12 more months of OPT.

If you complete a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field, you are eligible for a 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT.  STEM extensions are not available for pre-completion OPT. Additionally, you must be on post-completion OPT to apply for STEM OPT.  If you use all 12 months of your OPT as pre-completion OPT, you will lose the opportunity to apply for STEM OPT.

Grad student in a Plan A, Plan B, or thesis program who have completed all degree requirements except their thesis or dissertation are eligible to apply for either pre-completion OPT or post-completion OPT.