Pre-Completion OPT

OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a benefit available to international students in F-1 immigration status who are enrolled in, or completing, a degree program in the United States. All F-1 students are eligible to apply for 12 months of standard OPT. These 12 months can be used before the I-20 end date (pre-completion OPT), after the I-20 end date (post-completion OPT), or a combination of the two. Any approved pre-completion OPT will be subtracted from the one year of standard OPT F-1 students can use after graduation, whether or not the pre-completion OPT is used. 

Students apply for OPT through USCIS, a government agency. Work cannot begin until the EAD (employment authorization document) card is in hand and the start date listed on the card has been reached. See below for more information about the application process and timing.

To be eligible for OPT, students must:

• Have been enrolled for a minimum of three terms in F-1 status
• Be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of the application
• Be physically present in the U.S. when the application is submitted online or by mail

The job must:

• Be directly related to the declared major (not the major modification, concentration, or minor but the underlying major listed on the I-20)

Pre-completion OPT during a leave term

In order to apply for pre-completion OPT during a leave term, this leave term must be considered "earned" in terms of the F-1 regulations. Leave terms are "earned" when they are directly preceded by at least three consecutive enrolled terms. Pre-completion OPT used during leave terms can be part-time (less than 20 hours per week) or full-time (20 or more hours per week).

Pre-completion OPT during an enrolled term

Not all programs allow off-campus employment during enrolled terms. Fully-funded students in the Guarini School of Arts and Sciences may not accept outside employment while enrolled (read full policy here). Undergraduate students must receive permission from the Undergraduate Dean's Office before applying for pre-completion OPT during an enrolled term.

Any OPT done during an enrolled term must be part-time. Part-time is defined by USCIS as less than 20 hours per week. Pre-completion OPT must be applied for one term at a time.

Timing

It can take several months to receive OPT authorization from USCIS. Plan accordingly.

Overview

1. Request an OPT-recommendation I-20 from OVIS
2. Submit your OPT application to USCIS either online or using a trackable courier service

Requesting an OPT-recommendation I-20 from OVIS

Prior to submitting an "OPT Request" eform, you must complete the Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshop on Canvas. If OVIS did not add the workshop to your courses, follow this link to self-enroll. 

Submit the appropriate e-form using iDartmouth. If you are not sure which form to use, check with your OVIS advisor.

Within the form request, you will be required to upload the following documents:

• Please note: if you are an undergraduate student applying for part-time OPT during an "on" term, your e-form will automatically be routed to the Undergraduate Dean's Office for approval

Submitting the application to USCIS

You will need to have the Form I-20 with pre-completion OPT recommendation from OVIS before you submit your I-765 OPT application to USCIS. You have the option to submit your application to USCIS by mail or online. Your Pre-Completion OPT application must be received by USCIS within 30 days of the date your OPT recommendation is entered into SEVIS.

USCIS processing times vary. You may not legally begin your employment until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and the employment authorization start date listed on your EAD card has been reached.

Premium Processing

On March 6, 2023 USCIS announced the expansion of premium (expedited) processing for certain F-1 OPT and STEM OPT extension applications.  The premium processing fee is $1500, in addition to the standard application filing fee.  USCIS will adjudicate the application within 30 days of receipt.  USCIS will accept the online Form I-907 premium processing request in 2 phases:  1. Beginning March 6, 2023 for students with pending I-765 OPT and STEM OPT applications; and, 2. Beginning April 3, 2023 for students with new OPT and STEM OPT applications.  It is important to consider current USCIS processing times before deciding whether to request premium processing. Learn more here. 

All students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) are required to report to their OVIS advisors within 10 days any change to:

• Legal Name
   
• Residential or mailing address
   
• Employer and employer address, and/or any interruption or loss of employment

Reporting is done through iDartmouth. Address and employer updates can be made using the Address and Employer Update Form in iDartmouth.

You may request that the OPT application be withdrawn and the recommendation in SEVIS be cancelled, but only if you have recently submitted it to the government. Contact your OVIS advisor as soon as possible. Once your OPT application has been approved by USCIS, it cannot be cancelled or revoked.