Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an off-campus employment authorization available to eligible F-1 students during their degree program. Students do not have to be enrolled in an internship course to be eligible for Pre-Completion OPT.
Pre-Completion OPT can be used for:
- Full-time (more than 20 hours/week) or part-time (fewer than 20 hours) employment during summer vacation as long as you will enroll for the upcoming fall semester.
- Part-time employment (20 hours or fewer per week) while school is in session if you continue to enroll full time for courses.
- For Master’s and Ph.D. students, full-time or part-time employment after completion of all course requirements except thesis/dissertation.
You are eligible for 12 months of OPT for each higher-level degree (B.S., M.S., and Ph.D.). Please note that any approved months of Pre-Completion OPT are deducted from the 12-month total of OPT, including Post-Completion OPT.
Applying for Pre-Completion OPT
Applying for Pre-Completion OPT is a two-part process, and timing is important.
- You must complete the OPT form in iStart; your academic adviser must complete the adviser portion of the form. Please note that Engineering Career Resources & Employer Relations staff cannot complete this section. ISSA will review your request, generally within 14 business days, and issue you a new I-20 with the OPT recommendation on page 2.
- You must complete and submit Form I-765, the signed I-20 with the OPT recommendation, and other required documents to USCIS online within 30 days of the date that the OPT I-20 is issued.
Please refer to the ISSA Pre-Completion OPT website for relevant links and additional details. Contact your ISSA adviser with any questions.
