Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorization prior to degree completion, when CPT is not an option or for graduate students who are in their final semester and have completed all coursework and are only left with project/thesis/comprehensive exam. This is a multi-step application process in which students must request and get an I-20 with pre-completion OPT recommendation from ISSS to then file their application with U.S, Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Employment authorization comes from USCIS. 

Quicklinks:

• Pre-Completion OPT Eligibility Requirements
• Part-Time Vs. Full-Time Pre-Completion OPT
• Affect on Post-Completion OPT
• When to Apply for Pre-Completion OPT
• How do I apply for Pre-Completion OPT?
• What should I do while Pre-Completion OPT (form I-765) is pending?
• What should I do after Pre-Completion OPT (form I-765) is approved?
• How do I maintain F-1 status while on Pre-Completion OPT?
• Frequently Asked Questions (Pre-Completion OPT)

Tutorials:

• Pre-Completion OPT Tutorial
• Online Filing of I-765 for OPT/STEM OPT
• Mailing I-765 for OPT/STEM OPT

Pre-Completion OPT Eligibility Requirements

You must meet ALL of the following criteria to be eligible for Pre-Completion OPT. 

1. Must have been a full-time student for at least one consecutive academic year. *OPT eligibility requirements may reset due to a leave of absence or SEVIS record termination. Please consult with an ISA for more information.
2. Be in valid F-1 status when requesting the OPT I-20 from ISSS and when the application is submitted to USCIS. 
3. Be in good academic standing: your cumulative GPA on your transcript must be at an acceptable level (minimum 3.0 for graduate students and 2.0 for undergraduate students).
4. Be physically present in the U.S. when requesting the OPT I-20 from ISSS and submitting your application to USCIS. 

Part-Time Vs. Full-Time Pre-Completion OPT

1. Pre-Completion OPT can be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours or less per week).
2. Full-time Pre-Completion OPT is only available to students:
   1. during summer or  
   2. Graduate students who have completed all course requirements and are only left with a project/thesis/comprehensive exam in their final semester.

Affect on Post-Completion OPT

Students are eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training. Time used for pre-completion OPT, will be subtracted from your 12 months.

1. Working Full-Time?
   1. Time will be subtracted at the full rate.
   2. Example: If your approved full-time Pre-Completion OPT dates are October 1, 2025-December 1, 2025. This is 62 days of work, subtracted at the full rate. This would give you 303 days of Post-Completion OPT eligibility.
2. Working Part-Time?
   1. Time will be subtracted at half the rate.
   2. Example: If your approved part-time Pre-Completion OPT dates are October 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025. This is 62 days of work, subtracted at half the rate, is a total of 31 days subtracted. This would give you 334 days of Post-Completion OPT eligibility. 

When to Apply for Pre-Completion OPT

How do I apply for Pre-Completion OPT?

1. View the Pre-Completion OPT Tutorial.
2. Email ISSS at [email protected] to request the Pre-Completion OPT I-20 Request iSpartan link as early as 100 days before the anticipated start date. ISSS cannot recommend pre-completion OPT until 90 days before the requested Pre-Completion OPT start date. 
3. When you submit the e-form, it will be sent to your Academic Department for them to review and sign off on your OPT request. If your Academic Department approves the form, it will then be sent to the ISSS office for processing. Once your Academic Department has signed off on your OPT request, you will receive an email that your request has been routed to ISSS for processing.
4. Once submitted to ISSS, processing times is 5-7 business days. ISSS will email you when the new I-20 has been issued. USCIS is accepting digitally signed I-20's, so we will email you the I-20 with Pre-Completion OPT recommendation. You will need this I-20 with Pre-Completion OPT recommendation, to file your application with USCIS. 
   **When you submit the e-form, it will be sent to your Academic Department for them to sign off on your OPT request. If your Academic Department approves the form, it will then be sent to the ISSS office for processing. 
5. While you are waiting for your I-20, review the following tutorial. It will give you a list of documents to gather for your application, as well as I-765 guidelines.
   • *Online filing of I-765 for OPT/STEM OPT.
     Do not submit your Pre-Completion OPT application to USCIS until you have the new I-20 with Pre-Completion OPT recommendation from ISSS.
6. Once you have your I-20 and have prepared your Pre-Completion OPT packet, please be aware that USCIS must receive your completed Pre-Completion OPT application within 30 days of the new OPT I-20 issuance date. Make sure to visit USCIS's website for the most up-to-date form (I-765) and instructions.
7. USCIS offers 2 different ways to file an I-765 (Pre-Completion OPT) application with USCIS, via online or mailing. We recommend that you file the I-765 online. Review ISSS Online filing of I-765 for OPT/STEM OPT.
   

   1. Only if you are unable to file online, then you can mail your application and supporting documents to USCIS. Review ISSS Mailing I-755 for OPT/STEM OPT. (BEFORE mailing your application, we highly recommend meeting with an Advisor from ISSS to find out why you are unable to file online). 

8. Approximately 2-4 weeks after USCIS receives your application, you should receive a receipt notice with a USCIS case number.
   1. If you file online, you will be able to access your receipt notice in your USCIS online account.
   2. Check your filing receipt for any errors and email ISSS if there are any errors. 
9.  Once your OPT is approved by USCIS, you will receive an approval notice (I-797 Notice of Action) and EAD (Employment Authorization Document).
   1. You cannot start working until your OPT has been approved, you have your EAD card in hand, then work within the authorized dates (noted on the card) in a job (paid or unpaid) that is related to your major.
   2. Working before your OPT is approved or before you have received your EAD card in hand, is a violation of your F-1 visa status. 
10. Submit a copy of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to ISSS via email at [email protected]

What should I do while Pre-Completion OPT (form I-765) is pending?

Do not Work

You cannot start working until your OPT has been approved, you have your EAD card in hand, then work within the authorized dates (noted on the card) in a job (paid or unpaid) that is related to your major. Working before your OPT is approved, before you have received your EAD card in hand, or outside the approved dates is a violation of your F-1 visa status. 

Check Processing Time Online

Click here to check I-765 application processing times at Potomac Service Center.

Under <Forms> select ’I-765’, for <Service Center> select ‘Potomac Service Center’, click the ‘Get Processing Time’ button.

OPT processing can take 2-3 months, sometimes longer. You may add premium processing to your already filed OPT application, by filing the form I-907 and paying the premium processing fee. ((You can learn more about premium processing in our FAQ section on this page). 

Check your Case Status Online

Enter the Receipt Number from your USCIS receipt notice (Form I-797C). You also have an option to sign up for an account to get automatic case updates, including a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) tracking number. 

Update Your Address

Have you moved after applying for Pre-Completion OPT?  And this move affect where your EAD card will be mailed? Update your mailing address with USCIS here: Online Change of Address. Please note that the longer you wait to update your address once you have a pending Pre-Completion OPT application, the less likely it is that USCIS will send your I-797 receipt notice and EAD to the correct mailing address. We advise you to use this feature with extreme caution and to speak with us before doing so. 

Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery

Sign up for this service to receive delivery status notifications. 

Label Your Mailbox

To ensure proper and timely delivery of any USCIS notifications, including the application approval and EAD card, we strongly recommend you add a label to your mailbox with your full name (Last and First Name used on Form I-765).

What should I do after Pre-Completion OPT (form I-765) is approved?

EAD Typographic Error(s)

After receiving your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), check the card for any errors, especially the work authorization dates.

If you receive an EAD card from USCIS that contains a typographic error, please email us at [email protected] to inform us of the error, so we can advise you accordingly.

Allowable Work

Work with the dates of the authorized (EAD) Employment Authorization Document. You may only work from the start date to the end date listed on the EAD.

All employment (paid and unpaid) must be related to your major field of study.

How do I maintain F-1 status while on Pre-Completion OPT?

While on Pre-Completion OPT, you must follow certain rules to maintain your F-1 status:

1. Pursue a full course of study (i.e., 12 units for UGRED and 9 units for GRAD).
   1. Unless authorized by ISSS for
      1. Reduced Course Load
      2. Concurrent Enrollment
      3. Culminating Experience
   2. Be mindful of allowabout online credits. Only one course or 3 units per a student’s full-time enrollment can be online. The other remaining courses must be in-person or hybrid.
      1. If you only have one course to complete in your final semester, this course cannot be online.
2. Make progress toward degree completion.
3. Maintain a valid I-20.
4. Know your expiration date.
   1. Extend in a timely manner.
   2. Shorten - if you are finishing your degree program earlier than expected.
5. Update if major changes.
6. Maintain a valid travel signature.
   1. Validity of 12 months, when pursuing degree.
7. Report a change of address within 10 days of moving via MySJSU.

Continue to File Your Taxes

For information on how to file your taxes while on Pre-Completion OPT, please review our resources on Taxes.