Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training

Pre-Completion OPT Resources

Note: All eligible F-1 students must receive an OPT Recommendation I-20 from ISSO BEFORE submitting an online OPT application to USCIS.

• USCIS Tips for Filing Online

Overview - What is Pre-Completion OPT?

• Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a period of work authorization that takes place during a student's academic program (before I-20 Program End Date).
• OPT is an opportunity for F-1 students to take what they learned in the classroom and apply their knowledge to a U.S. work setting. As such, all work must be directly related to a student's major(s) listed on their I-20.
  • OPT cannot be related to a minor, certificate, or other secondary educational pursuit.
• OPT is an application submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This involves an application fee and uncertain processing times.
  • The standard application fee is $470. Standard application processing can take 2-5 months, depending on time of year and volume of applications.
  • A Premium Processing services is available for an additional $1,765 ($2,235 total). USCIS claims Premium Processing applications should be adjudicated within 30 business days (~6 weeks).
    • Note: Premium Processing "clock" will be reset if additional requirements need to be completed, such as a biometric appointment, Request for Evidence (RFE), or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).

OPT Duration

• Pre-Completion OPT can be either full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week or fewer).
  • A student is only eligible for a part-time authorization during the fall and spring semester, as they must remain enrolled full-time.
  • A student is eligible for a full-time authorization only during term breaks (e.g., summer, winter).
• Each Pre-Completion OPT application can only be for one type of authorization - part-time or full-time - a student cannot combine some part-time and some full-time in one application.
  • The maximum length of a part-time authorization request is one year.
  • The maximum length of a full-time authorization request is the number of days between the spring and fall semester (i.e., the length of the term break).
• Authorization for Pre-Completion OPT will deduct from the amount of Post-Completion OPT authorization time:
  • Part-time Pre-Completion OPT deducts at a 1:2 rate (e.g., 3 months of part-time Pre-Completion OPT means a student is eligible for 10.5 months of post-completion OPT)
  • Full-time Pre-Completion OPT deducts at a 1:1 rate (e.g., 3 months of full-time Pre-Completion OPT means a student is eligible for 9 months of post-completion OPT)
• Students pursuing a STEM designated major may remain eligible for an additional 24-month STEM OPT Extension following their Post-Completion OPT authorization

Before Submitting OPT Application

Determine Your I-20 Program End Date

The current program end date listed on your I-20 may not be when you will actually finish your program. Oftentimes a student's I-20 Program End Date will be shortened when they apply for Post-Completion OPT, request a final semester Reduced Course Load, or when ISSO receives confirmation a student has met their degree requirements. The new I-20 end date is particularly important when applying for OPT, as it determines the timeline to apply for OPT. 

• Undergraduate students:
  • End Date: Last day of the semester in which the final required courses for the degree were taken
• Graduate students students in coursework only programs:
  • End date: Last day of the semester in which the final required courses for the degree were taken
• Graduate students with creative component, thesis, or dissertation:
  • There are multiple options for selecting a program end date:
    • Last day of the final semester of required enrollment (term in which you give your final oral exam)
      • This is most common, as many graduate students will have an assistantship appointment through their entire final semester
    • Exact date of your final oral exam
      • Typically only used by students with a desired job start date that is in the middle of their final semester.
      • Note: Assistantship position will also be shortened to date of final oral exam (may impact tuition scholarship and stipend)
    • Last day of any semester following the completion of all academic coursework requirements (research credits excluded)
      • Least common. Typically only used by students with full-time job offer that have lost assistantship funding.
      • Note: Assistantship position must end by I-20 Program End Date. Continuous enrollment may still be required until program is completed. Without assistantship, student may need to self-fund tuition cost.

Program End Date and Its Impact on Pre-Completion OPT

• On-campus Employment: All on-campus employment must end on or before your I-20 Program End Date.
  • This includes graduate assistantships or student hourly work.must end no later than your program completion date. 
  • Your I-9 work authorization will be shortened and on-campus job supervisor will be notified of your updated employment eligibility.
• Pre-Completion OPT Requested Start Date: Your I-20 Program End Date impacts your options for a requested OPT start date.
  • Your requested Pre-Completion OPT end date cannot be beyond your I-20 Program End Date

Eligibility and Timeline for Applying

• Eligibility: Generally, F-1 students are eligible for OPT after they have been continuously enrolled at Iowa State University for one academic year (two semesters).
  • OPT is only supported for degree-seeking programs (bachelor's, master's, doctorate) and certain Veterinary Medicine programs (DVM, PAVE).
  • Job offer: A job offer is not required to apply, and having a job offer will not impact application processing time. However, it may assist you in choosing a requested start and end date.
• Timeline: USCIS application procedures for Pre-Completion OPT are not clearly defined.
  • While no earliest limit is mentioned in regulation, previous SEVP/ICE guidance has indicated that students should not submit their Pre-Completion OPT application to USCIS more than 90 days before their requested start date.
    • For students completing their second semester of full-time enrollment, they must not submit their application more than 90 days before completing their second semester.
  • Students must submit their OPT application within 30 days of when their OPT Recommendation I-20 was issued.
    • If you are unable to apply within 30 days, contact ISSO immediately to have your request cancelled and a new OPT Recommendation I-20 issued.
• Exclusions: The following students are not eligible to apply for OPT.
  • Students who have utilized 365 days of more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at their current education level.
  • Students who have previously been authorized for OPT at their current education level or at a higher education level.
  • Students who returned to the U.S. with a new SEVIS ID number and have not completed one academic year.

OPT Application Process

Submit Pre-Completion OPT Recommendation I-20 Request

• Navigate to the Pre-Completion OPT Checklist in Cystart. 
• Submit Pre-Completion OPT Recommendation I-20 e-form.
  • The form will route to your academic or faculty advisor to confirm your eligibility for Optional Practical Training.
  • Once feedback is received, the form will route to an ISSO advisor for processing.
• Receive email from ISSO to pick up OPT Recommendation I-20. The printed OPT Recommendation I-20 is required before submitting your final application.
  • Note: For applications submitted to USCIS, ISSO will only print physical copies of the I-20, to avoid issues with digital signatures. If you are in the Ames area, you must collect your OPT Recommendation I-20 from the ISSO. If you are outside of the Ames area, we will mail the document to you at no cost (USPS untracked mail) or you can pay for a FedEx mailing service.
• After collecting I-20, review major(s) listed, program end date and OPT Requested Start and End Date for any errors or inaccuracies.

Review Application Materials

• Gather OPT application documents. A copy of the OPT Application Checklist will be included with your OPT Recommendation I-20
• Reference Guide to Online OPT Application as a resource for completing OPT application
  • After content of application completed, but before submitting payment, download "Draft" copy of application for review.
• Return to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Checklist in Cystart. 
• Submit OPT Application Review e-form (recommended)
  • An ISSO advisor will review your application for completeness within two business days. 
  • Note: ISSO does not assist with your application in any formal capacity. If you would like assistance with filing, it is advised to contact an immigration attorney.
• Submit OPT application online in myUSCIS

After Application Submission

While Application is Pending

• Receipt Notice: An unofficial receipt notice should be available for download from your myUSCIS account immediately. An official receipt notice will be sent to your mailing address a few weeks after submission.
• Biometric Notice: Most applicants receive a notice to attend a biometric notice at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC).
  • The appointment should be scheduled at the ASC located closest to the applicant's physical living address reported on their Form I-765.
  • Appointment location or date may be able to be rescheduled in your myUSCIS account.
  • Applicants who have provided a photo at an ASC within the past 3 years may be exempt from the biometric requirement.
• Processing Times: Application times vary greatly.
  • Applications may take between 2-5 months from time of initial submission.
  • Premium Processing with USCIS Application is available for an additional fee.
• Change of Mailing Address:
  • If you need to update the mailing address on your OPT application, you must submit a change of address request with USCIS.
  • OPT applicants are welcome to use the ISSO address as a mailing address
    • In Care Of: ISSO
    • 2229 Lincoln Way
    • Ste. 4530
    • Ames, IA 50014
  • Note: ISSO will not send an emailed copy of your EAD. If you opt to use ISSO as your mailing address, you must either collect your EAD card in-person or submit a Document Mailing request to have the card mailed to your current address (at your cost).
• Application Withdrawal: Contact ISSO immediately if you wish to withdraw your application. 
  • The OPT application withdrawal request must be made before USCIS processes your application. 
  • Students will not receive a refund of the application fee.

After Approval

• Employment Authorization Document: EAD card should be received within 1-2 weeks of approval date.
  • If approved before requested start date, then requested start date should be granted.
  • If approved after requested start date, USCIS will adjust EAD start date to actual date of approval.
• Starting Employment: Employment can only begin after EAD card received.
  • Use EAD to complete Form I-9 (employment eligibility verification) with employer
  • Report employment in SEVP Portal within 10 days of start date.

Working During Pre-Completion OPT

Eligible Employment on Post-Completion OPT

• All employment must be directly related to the major(s) listed on your I-20.
• Employment during OPT is flexible. This may include:   
  • Paid or unpaid work
    • Unpaid positions at Iowa State require approval from the Office of Risk Management
  • Working for multiple employers
  • Working remotely
    • Speak with your ISSO advisor if working remotely from outside U.S.
  • Short-term or contract work
  • Employment through staffing or placement agency
  • Self-employment or self-employed business owner
    • Self-employment or starting a business is a complicated process in the U.S. Students interested in these options are advised to contact an immigration and business/tax attorney.

Unemployment on OPT

• If a student remains unemployed during Pre-Completion OPT, the work authorization period is still deducted from a future Post-Completion OPT authorization.