International Student Services

Pre-Completion OPT

[All information is subject to change without notice.]

Pre-completion OPT provides for up to one year of practical training authorization prior to completion of studies. Eligible F-1 students can apply for this benefit up to 120 days before the requested employment start date. Students are restricted to part-time work during the spring and fall semesters, but may work full-time during summer and official school breaks. Students must remain full-time enrolled during the spring and fall semesters. Students on pre-completion OPT are not required to limit days of unemployment and do not have additional reporting requirements, other than changes of address.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for pre-completion OPT, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have been lawfully enrolled as a full-time student at least one full academic year (two long semesters).
• You must currently be in F-1 status.
• You must be eligible for graduation.

IMPORTANT: As of April 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has indicated that this type of OPT can only be requested to extend up to the student’s program completion date. If the student wants to continue to work beyond the completion date, it is assumed that the student will apply for a portion of the 12-month OPT allowance on the initial OPT application, then make a second application for any remaining authorization time.

For more information regarding this type of OPT, please contact an international student advisor.