Pre-OPT, or Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training, is a temporary work authorization for international students in the United States holding an F-1 visa. It allows students to gain valuable work experience directly related to their declared field of study before completing their academic program. This authorization is part of the overall 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) available to F-1 students at each degree level.
This employment benefit is strictly regulated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Students must apply for and receive authorization before starting any work. The rules governing Pre-OPT are distinct from other types of student work authorization, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT), particularly in how the time used is accounted for.
Who Qualifies and When to Apply
Students must meet specific academic and legal requirements to be eligible for Pre-OPT authorization. The student must be maintaining lawful F-1 status at the time of application. This involves adhering to all visa regulations, including being enrolled full-time at an SEVP-certified institution.
The student must have been lawfully enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year, which typically means nine months, before beginning Pre-OPT employment. This requirement applies even if the student changed their nonimmigrant status to F-1 during that period. The employment must be a practical application of the student’s major area of study as listed on their Form I-20.
Pre-OPT can be utilized during two distinct periods: during annual vacation periods (such as summer break), or while school is in session after completing the first academic year. Timing the application is governed by strict deadlines. The application must be received by USCIS no more than 90 days before the requested employment start date. Crucially, it must also be submitted to USCIS within 30 days of the Designated School Official (DSO) recommending the OPT in the student’s SEVIS record.
Steps for Obtaining Authorization
The application process begins internally at the student’s school with the Designated School Official (DSO). The student must first request an OPT recommendation from their DSO, often by completing a school-specific form. This request confirms the student’s eligibility and that the proposed work directly relates to the field of study.
Once approved, the DSO updates the student’s record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to reflect the OPT recommendation. The DSO then issues a new Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, which includes the official recommendation. This new I-20 is a required component of the application package submitted to USCIS.
The student then prepares the official application package for USCIS, which includes Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Students can file Form I-765 online or by mailing a physical package. The package requires supporting documentation:
- Copies of the new I-20 with the DSO recommendation.
- The student’s passport and F-1 visa.
- Form I-94 arrival record.
- Two passport-style photographs.
Students must wait for USCIS to process and approve the application, which can take several months. The resulting Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) serves as the official proof of work permission. Students are prohibited from beginning any employment until the EAD card is physically in hand and the start date listed on the card has been reached.
Working Restrictions and Time Limits
Pre-OPT employment is subject to specific hour limitations based on the student’s academic schedule. When school is in session, students are restricted to working part-time, defined as a maximum of 20 hours per week. This restriction ensures the student remains focused on their academic requirements.
During official academic breaks (such as annual summer vacation), students may be employed full-time (more than 20 hours per week). Full-time employment is also permitted if the student has completed all course requirements but has not yet officially graduated. All employment, whether part-time or full-time, must be directly related to the student’s field of study.
The most significant constraint of Pre-OPT is its impact on eligibility for Post-Completion OPT. Any time used under Pre-OPT is deducted from the student’s total 12 months of standard OPT available after graduation. Full-time Pre-OPT is deducted day-for-day from the 12 months.
Part-time Pre-OPT is deducted at half the rate, meaning two months of part-time Pre-OPT reduce the available Post-OPT by one month. For example, if a student uses four months of full-time Pre-OPT, they will only have eight months of Post-OPT remaining after graduation. This deduction is a consideration for students planning their professional trajectory.
While engaged in Pre-OPT, the student must continue to maintain F-1 status by remaining enrolled full-time and following all regulations. Students must also report any changes in their employment or personal information to their Designated School Official (DSO).