Pre-completion OPT allows eligible F-1 students to work in a position directly related to their major field of study while completing their degree. When applying, students request authorization for a specific period and select their desired start and end dates when requesting an I-20 recommending pre-completion OPT. A job offer is not required to apply.

If USCIS approves the application, the student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) indicating the authorized employment start and end dates. During the approved period, students may work in a job, internship, or volunteer position directly related to their field of study. Students may change employers or hold multiple jobs, internships, or volunteer positions, provided that all positions are directly related to their major and they do not exceed their authorized weekly work hours. All employment must be reported to maintain F-1 status and OPT compliance.

A student is eligible for Pre-Completion OPT when:  

• They are currently in the U.S. and are maintaining valid F-1 status;
• They have a valid passport and I-94 record indicating F-1 They have been continuously enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year (fall and spring semester) in active nonimmigrant status OR will be completing one academic year within 90 days of applying for pre-completion OPT;
• They have not completed more than 365 days of full-time CPT at the current degree level;
• They have not previously been approved for 12 months of OPT at the current degree level or a higher degree level; and
• They will only pursue employment directly related to their major field of study.

Definition of "Completion Date": Your completion date is the end of the term in which you complete all degree requirements (this includes thesis/dissertation submission). Your I-20 will be shortened to this date when you apply for OPT.

• Part-time during the semester while remaining registered full-time
• Full-time during annual school vacations
• Full-time during the semester only if:
  • You are a Masters thesis-option student who has completed 6 credits of 799 by the start date of your OPT; or
  • You are a Ph.D. student who has completed 12 credits of 899 by the start date of your OPT.

• Students are eligible for a total of 12 months of OPT, excluding the 24-month STEM OPT Extension. Any pre-completion OPT used counts toward this 12-month limit and reduces the amount of post-completion OPT available.
• Part-time pre-completion OPT (20 hours/week or less) is deducted at a half-time rate. For example, 3 months of part-time OPT reduces post-completion OPT by 1.5 months, leaving 10.5 months available.
• Full-time pre-completion OPT (more than 20 hours/week) is deducted at a full-time rate. For example, 3 months of full-time OPT reduces post-completion OPT by 3 months, leaving 9 months available.
• The authorized OPT period counts toward the 12-month limit even if you do not work during that period.
   

• You can apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before completing one academic year in active nonimmigrant status.
• Your pre-completion OPT start date must be after you have completed the one academic year requirement.
• One academic year means completing both a fall and spring semester.
• Time spent enrolled full-time in another immigration status may also count toward the one academic year requirement. Students who were in other non-immigrant status must complete one semester in F1 status before you are eligible to start pre-completion opt. 
   

• Students applying for pre-completion OPT must select a requested start date and end date for their authorization.
• The requested OPT start date must be after you have completed one academic year in active nonimmigrant status.
• ISSS recommends choosing a start date that is at least 2–3 months after the date you submit your application to USCIS due to varying USCIS processing times. (if you choose premium processing an earlier start date may be possible)
• You may begin working once you receive your EAD card and you have reached the start date on your EAD card
   

1. Consider whether Pre-Completion OPT is the best option If you are close to your program end date, USCIS processing times may make pre-completion OPT unfeasible. 
2. Discuss your expected degree completion date with an ISSS advisor to ensure your OPT end date does not extend beyond your I-20 program end date. 

1. Sign into iTerp, select OPT/STEM Services on the left, and several options will appear. Click on the ‘OPT Request (Pre-Completion)’ option.
2. Select ‘Start a New Request’ and several required e-forms will appear. Begin the Pre-Completion OPT process by selecting the ‘OPT Tutorial.’ The OPT Tutorial is a pre-recorded session during which an ISSS staff member discusses eligibility, application process, required forms, and the student's rights and responsibilities.
3. After you view the entire OPT Tutorial, return to iTerp and the OPT Tutorial e-form. There, complete the attestation confirming when you finished viewing the Tutorial. Completion of the presentation will be confirmed.
4. After completing the Attestation, you may proceed to the remaining required Pre-Completion OPT e-forms.
5. Once all these e-forms are complete and submitted, an ISSS advisor will review the request and process your Pre-Completion OPT I-20. Please allow 5 business days for processing. 
6. Once you receive the I-20, review it carefully to ensure the details are correct. If there are any errors (such as ‘part-time’ OPT requested instead of ‘full-time’) reach out to ISSS for a correction before filing your OPT application with USCIS. 
    

DO NOT submit your pre-completion OPT application to USCIS until you have received the I-20 recommending pre-completion OPT from ISSS. 

• Filing Online: (recommended)
  • As of April 12, 2021, F-1 students applying for pre-completion and post-completion OPT are eligible to file their I-765 application online through the USCIS. Please review this walk-through guide with recommendations for how to file your I-765 application online.
• Filing by Mail
  • F-1 students applying for pre-completion OPT who do not wish to file online may apply by mail instead. Please review this walk-through guide with recommendations for how to file your I-765 application by mail  If you are filing by mail, it is strongly recommended to make an appointment with an ISSS advisor before mailing your application. Mailed applications can often result in a higher likelihood of RFE or denials when not completed in consultation with the DSO.

Important Reminders: 

• You must file your OPT application while inside of the U.S. If you depart the U.S. before filing your OPT application with USCIS, you must wait until you re-enter as an F-1 student and obtain your updated I-94 record before you submit your application to USCIS.
• When filing a pre-completion OPT application with USCIS, it is important that the correct eligibility category be selected: (C)(3)(A). 
• Your OPT application must be received by USCIS no later than 30 days after ISSS has issued your pre-completion OPT I-20. Failure to submit your application during this time frame WILL result in the denial of your application.  
• File your application online (recommended) OR by mailing in a paper application to USCIS. Do not submit your application using both methods. 
• You will be responsible for compiling the documentation that is required as part of the pre-completion OPT application.  
   

Report the start of your employment, any changes to your employment information, and any changes to your personal address within 10 days via iTerp. Please click here for detailed instructions on OPT reporting requirements.

To report that you have begun work on OPT for the first time or to report a new employer:

• Sign into iTerp and scroll down to ‘Requests’ where you will select ‘Pre-Completion OPT Checklist’. You will then press the plus sign under ‘Address and Employment Reporting’ tab and use the following forms:
  • To report that you have begun work on OPT for the first time or to report a new employer, fill out the “Report New Employer Information” form
  • To update details about a previously reported period of employment, fill out the “Update Existing Employer Information” form

Reminder: Unpaid or volunteer positions at UMD cannot be used as employment while on OPT.

While applying and if approved for pre-completion OPT, you remain in F-1 status and are still considered a student within your I-20 program dates. For information on travel, please review our travel information page. 

USCIS updated its policy on acceptable application photos effective December 12, 2025. Applicants should continue to submit photos with their USCIS application as instructed, but USCIS may require some applicants to attend an Application Support Center (ASC) appointment to have a new photo taken. If USCIS issues an ASC appointment notice or Request for Evidence (RFE), carefully follow all instructions and respond to any RFE after completing the photo appointment.

Check out the "USCIS Application Photos Update" section on our website here for more information about the USCIS photo policy, ASC appointments, and what to do if you receive an RFE.

Premium processing provides expedited processing on Form I-765 for an additional governmental fee. In exchange for the additional fee, USCIS guarantees that it will take some adjudicative action (approval, denial, request for evidence, notice of intent to deny) within 30 calendar days. Review our website here for additional information.

Your requested pre-completion OPT start date must be after you have completed at least one academic year in active nonimmigrant status. ISSS recommends selecting a start date that is at least 2–3 months after the date you submit your application to USCIS to allow for varying processing times. 

Your pre-completion OPT end date must not extend beyond your I-20 program end date. 

Reminder: If you are requesting full-time pre-completion OPT, your OPT start and end dates must fall within the semester breaks- unless you are PhD/masters student who completed 899/799 requirements. 

Yes, Time granted for pre-completion OPT is deducted from your 12-month post-completion OPT period, even if you do not work during the approved OPT period. For example, 2 months of full-time pre-completion OPT leaves you with 10 months of post-completion OPT eligibility. 

No. Pre-completion OPT does not affect your eligibility for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided you meet all STEM OPT requirements. However, you must be in an active post-completion OPT period to apply. OIS recommends keeping at least 3 months of post-completion OPT available to allow sufficient time to apply for the STEM extension.

The I-765 is your personal application to USCIS for an immigration benefit and you are responsible for completing the form accurately and submitting all required evidence.  Please carefully review the information on this webpage, especially Step 3.

Contact ISSS immediately if your plans have changed and you no longer intend to apply for pre-completion OPT.

• If you received an I-20 but have not yet filed your OPT application with USCIS: ISSS can cancel your pre-completion OPT I-20.
• If you filed Form I-765 and received a receipt notice from USCIS: You must submit a request to withdraw your application directly to USCIS. You can withdraw your pre-completion OPT application only while the application is still pending.
• If USCIS has approved your pre-completion OPT application and issued your EAD before processing your withdrawal request: It will no longer be possible to cancel your pre-completion OPT.

Yes. While your pre-completion OPT application is pending, you remain in F-1 status and are considered a student as long as you are within the program dates listed on your I-20. You may continue to travel internationally, provided you have all required travel documents.

Please keep in mind that USCIS may send notices or requests regarding your application to your U.S. mailing address. Failing to receive or respond to a USCIS notice in a timely manner could delay the processing of your application or result in its denial.

Contact your local U.S. Post Office to determine whether they have any record of your EAD delivery. If the Post Office has no information about the shipment, contact USCIS to determine whether the EAD was returned to them or was lost in the mail.

• If the EAD was returned to USCIS: You may request that USCIS reship the EAD to you. Reshipment can take up to 30 days.
• If the EAD was lost in the mail: You will need to apply for a replacement EAD. The replacement process is similar to the initial pre-completion OPT application process, and you will be required to pay the application fee again.
  Can I study part time while working on pre-completion OPT? 
  While authorized for pre-completion OPT, you still must meet the F-1 full-time enrollment requirements.

While authorized for pre-completion OPT, you still must meet the F-1 full-time enrollment requirements.

There is no unemployment day allowance or limit during your authorized period of pre-completion OPT. While you are not required to have a job offer when applying for pre-completion OPT, it is recommended that you have employment lined up, as any time used for pre-completion OPT will reduce the amount of OPT time available to you after graduation.

Once you submit your pre-completion OPT application to USCIS, you cannot change the requested authorization dates or whether you are requesting part-time or full-time authorization. To make these changes, you would need a new I-20 from ISSS and must submit a new application to USCIS.
For example, if you want part-time pre-completion OPT during the academic semester and full-time pre-completion OPT during the summer, you will need two separate I-20s from ISSS and two separate applications filed with USCIS.
 

Yes, as long as the employment is directly related to your major field of study and does not exceed the number of hours per week authorized for your pre-completion OPT.

You should also report any changes to your employment to ISSS via iTerp within 10 days of the change so that we can update your pre-completion OPT employment information in your SEVIS record.
 

You are responsible for determining whether your employment is directly related to your major field of study. You should be able to explain how the position allows you to apply the knowledge and skills you gained through your degree program.

ISSS will update your F-1 record in SEVIS based on the employment information you provide. We recommend keeping copies of all job descriptions and offer letters you receive while on pre-completion OPT, just as you should maintain copies of all your immigration documents.

Keep documentation of your employment and work activities during pre-completion OPT, as these records may be needed during or after your authorization period or when applying for future immigration benefits.

Retain copies of every I-20 and EAD issued to you. You should also keep employment records, including offer letters, contracts, job descriptions, project records, W-2s, and pay stubs. Make sure the information you report for pre-completion OPT matches your supporting documentation.

To extend your pre-completion OPT authorization, you must complete the application process again. You remain eligible for pre-completion OPT until you complete your academic program.

Request a new pre-completion OPT I-20 from ISSS via iTerp. You must then submit a new pre-completion OPT application to USCIS and pay the required filing fee.