Pre OPT: The only way to work off-campus before graduation

OPT stands for the Optional Practical Training program and it authorizes international students to engage in employment opportunities. Although most of the students tend to apply for OPT after graduation, there are two types of OPT that students can take advantage of- Pre-completion OPT (Pre OPT) and Post-completion OPT (Post OPT). The main difference between the two OPTs is pretty straightforward- If you haven’t completed the program, you need to apply for Pre-completion OPT to get authorized for working. If you are planning to start working upon graduation, you should apply for Post-completion OPT.

Therefore, if you have found great employment opportunities and would like to start working before you graduate, you can apply for Pre OPT. In this blog, all about Pre-completion OPT will be discussed. At the end of the blog, you will get to know what Pre OPT is, the eligibility of OPT, and the required documents to apply for Pre OPT.

Related blog post: Must-know 4 eligibility for student visa OPT

Contents

• 2 Types of Pre OPT
• Eligibility to apply for Pre OPT
• Required documents to apply for Pre OPT
• Things to note when you apply for Pre OPT

2 Types of Pre OPT

Based on the number of working hours per week, Pre OPT can be categorized into two; Full-time Pre OPT and Part-time Pre OPT. If the student is in the middle of the school session, he or she can engage in employment up to 20 hours per week. In this case, the student is participating in Part-time Pre OPT. On the other hand, when school is not in session or when the student is done with the coursework, dissertation, or thesis, the student can work up to 40 hours per week, which is considered as full-time Pre OPT.

It is worth mentioning that the use of pre-completion OPT impacts the availability of post-completion OPT – Full-time Pre-OPT is deducted from the 12-month cumulative limit at the full-time rate; Part-time pre-completion OPT is deducted from the 12-month cumulative limit at a 50% rate. Therefore, if you are planning to apply for post-completion OPT after graduation, please do the math based on the rubric below to ensure that you don’t accumulate a total of 365 days of Pre OPT.

• The number of days students can engage in Post OPT=
  • 12 months- Full-time Pre OPT; or
  • 12 months- (Part-time Pre OPT)*50%

Eligibility to apply for Pre OPT

In order to be eligible to apply for Pre OPT, the student needs to be currently enrolled and has been registered for at least a year. In addition, the job that the student is going to be engaged in must be related to the major. Each eligibility will be outlined in the following section.

Directly related to the student’s major field of study

Whether the student applies for Full-time Pre OPT or Part-time Pre OPT, it is important to note that the employment “must be directly related to the student’s major field of study.”

An eligible student may request employment authorization for practical training in a position that is directly related to his or her major area of study.

8 CFR 214.2(F)(10)

Currently enrolled and is eligible for registration

The immigration law CFR 214.2(F)(10)(II)(A)(1)-(2) identifies that pre OPT applicants should currently be enrolled and eligible for registration and intend to register for the next term or session. It also requires Pre OPT participants not to work over 20 hours a week while the school is in session.

“During the student’s annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session, if the student is currently enrolled, and is eligible for registration and intends to register for the next term or session“

“While school is in session, provided that practical training does not exceed 20 hours a week while school is in session.”

8 CFR 214.2(F)(10)(II)(A)(1)-(2)

One year requirement

U.S. immigration requires that an F-1 student must be enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year to be eligible for OPT. To meet the full-time requirement, undergraduate international students should register for 12 credits. When it comes to graduate students, usually 9 credits are considered full-time.

1. Students authorized for an RCL during the first academic year: In this case, although an F-1 student is taking a less than full course of study, as he or she was authorized by the designated school official (DSO), the student is eligible for OPT if the student meets other requirements.
2. Study abroad: If the student was enrolled full-time for one academic year in the United States before he or she was involved in a study abroad program, the time spent enrolled in a study abroad program can count towards the one academic year requirement.
3. Other than F-1 status: Non-immigrant visa holders other than F-1, who have spent at least one academic year, can count those times toward the one academic year requirement. Therefore, if you were enrolled in full time as a J-1 student or as a dependent of other nonimmigrant status such as A, E, G, H, J, L, O, and TN non-immigrant categories, you could use the time to satisfy the “one academic year” practical training eligibility requirement.

An F-1 student must have been “lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in a Service-approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one full academic year” to be eligible for CPT or OPT.

[8 CFR 214.2(F)(10)]

Required documents to apply for Pre OPT

Here’s the list of required documents to apply for Pre OPT:

• Completed Form I-765
  • The category should be (c)(3)(A)
• New I-20 with OPT request & All issued I-20s
  • Don’t send original copies. Make copies of the I-20 with Pre OPT request as well as previous I-20s.
• Scanned copy of passport photo page & visa page
• I-94 record
  • An electronic copy of I-94 can be obtained here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/
• 2 identical passport-style photos in color
• Check or money order to pay the fee
  • Check the I-765 page here to check the most recent OPT application fee.

To check the photo size requirements and check/money order examples, please click the related blog post below.
Other than these, it is recommended to include a recommendation letter from your DSO or your academic advisor to be safe.

Related blog post: 7 Require documents for OPT Application

Things to note when you apply for Pre OPT

There are a few important notes that students should understand before applying for Pre-completion OPT. First, as I explained in the 2 types of Pre OPT section, international students who are planning to apply for Post-completion OPT upon graduation should calculate not to exceed the aggregation of 356 days with Pre OPT participation.

Second, students should choose either Pre OPT or Post OPT. According to SEVIS Help Hub – Optional Practical Training, students who participate in Part-time Pre OPT in their last semester cannot automatically switch to Full time Post OPT after they graduate.

SEVIS will not allow overlapping segments of OPT. You must specify if the OPT is pre-completion vs. post-completion OPT and must be either full vs. part time.

SEVIS HELP HUB – OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING

In this blog post, all about Pre-completion OPT was covered. If you have found a great opportunity while you are still in school, engaging in Pre OPT can be a great option. However, if you are planning to work after graduation in the United States, make sure not to go over 356 days of OPT.