Pre-Completion OPT

This page is dedicated to pre-completion OPT. Pre-Completion OPT is a benefit that allows students in F-1 status to receive work authorization to participate in off-campus training directly related to their major field of study during their academic program. 

Off-campus training during the degree program can be authorized either through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or pre-completion OPT. CPT offers a simpler authorization process, quicker processing times, and does not affect post-completion OPT unless the student has used 12 months of full-time CPT. Because of this, students in F-1 status often choose pre-completion OPT when they or their training opportunity does not meet the eligibility criteria for CPT. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Students are eligible to apply for OPT after completing one academic year of full-time enrollment (spring & fall term) in eligible visa statuses. If a student begins their academic program in a fall semester, they will be eligible for off-campus work after attending full-time fall and spring semesters. If a student begins in the spring semester, they must attend a full-time spring semester and the next fall semester before becoming eligible for OPT.
• Students are eligible for up to 12 months of OPT once per education level.
  • Students become eligible for another 12 months of practical training at each higher education level. Students are ineligible for OPT at the lower education level after participating in practical training at a higher education level.
  • Students who pursue pre-completion OPT must deduct the time requested for pre-completion OPT from the 12 months. 
    • Part-time pre-completion OPT will be deducted at a half-time rate. Example: If you request 8 months of part-time pre-completion OPT, you've used 4 months of OPT.)
    • Full-Time Pre-Completion OPT is deducted based on the number of months requested. Example: If you request 7 months of full-time pre-completion OPT, that means we deduct 7 months of OPT from the total 12 months eligible.
• Students must first request an I-20 form with an OPT recommendation from OIE before submitting their application to USCIS. Per 8 CFR 214.2(f)(11), failure to include the I-20 form with the OPT recommendation when filing the OPT application with USCIS will most likely result in the student being denied the OPT benefit by USCIS.
• Students can apply for their pre-completion OPT benefit up to 90 days before reaching one academic year of study. Some resources indicate that the pre-completion OPT application can only be filed up to 90 days before the start of the job, but USCIS guidance does not address this limit. 
• Students must have degree program requirements outstanding. Once all degree program requirements are met, students should instead file for post-completion OPT.
• Student must be present and inside the U.S. to file their OPT application with USCIS.
• Students who have participated in more than 364 days or more of full-time CPT during their program are ineligible for OPT at that education level.
• Students are not required to have a job offer to apply for OPT.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time Pre-Completion OPT

• If approved for part-time pre-completion OPT authorization, an F-1 student is permitted to work up to 20 hours a week. 
• If approved for full-time pre-completion OPT, an F-1 student is permitted to work over 20 hours a week. 
• F-1 student visa holders are not permitted to apply for full-time pre-completion OPT during required academic semesters- spring, fall, and summer if it is their final term. 
  • Exception: MS and PhD students that have completed all degree required coursework and lack only their thesis or dissertation can pursue full-time pre-competion OPT in required terms.
• Students who pursue pre-completion OPT must deduct the time requested for pre-completion OPT from the 12 months. 
  • Part-time pre-completion OPT will be deducted at a half-time rate. Example: If you request 8 months of part-time pre-completion OPT, you've used 4 months of OPT.)
  • Full-Time Pre-Completion OPT is deducted based on the number of months requested. Example: If you request 7 months of full-time pre-completion OPT, that means we deduct 7 months of OPT from the total 12 months eligible.

Considerations

• If you are going to register the internship and utilize internship credits to make up your full-time enrollment, you must obtain pre-completion OPT authorization before the end of phase II registration. If you do not obtain the pre-completion OPT EAD from USCIS in time, then you will need to enroll in additional credits to be registered full-time. You cannot fulfil and maintain the internship credits without receiving the off-campus work authorization. 
• Pre-completion and post-completion OPT require two separate applications. 
• The work must be directly related to your major listed on your I-20 form. If your I-20 form does not accurately reflect your degree program, you must complete the change of major request e-form in iStart prior to pursuing pre-completion OPT.

Application Process:

1. Complete the OPT request e-form within iStart. The OPT request e-forms must be submitted in iStart and approved by OIE staff before filing your OPT application with USCIS.
   • Note: OIE is responsible for reviewing eligibility for the OPT recommendation, entering this recommendation in SEVIS, providing the I-20 with OPT recommendation to the student, and supporting the student with the maintenance of status reporting requirements during OPT. OIE does not review the student's personal I-765 application. Students interested in having the I-765 application reviewed are encouraged to speak with a qualified immigration attorney who is licensed to practice immigration law and offer legal counsel on USCIS petitions.
2. An OIE advisor will review the OPT request and respond to your request via email within the processing time communicated here: https://isss.oie.gatech.edu/content/istart-e-form-processing-times.

3. After OIE reviews the OPT request and issues an updated I-20 with an OPT recommendation, the F-1 student visa holder must use the newly issued I-20 form with the OPT recommendation to file the I-765 application packet. Before filing your OPT application with USCIS, please review page 2 of the I-20 form to ensure the OPT recommendation is listed and the requested OPT dates are accurate. To view a sample of what the I-20 form should look like, review our document guide website.

   Please note that the application must be submitted to USCIS within 30 days of OIE issuing the I-20 form with the OPT recommendation. Applications filed more than 30 days after an OPT recommendation are most often denied. If it has been more than 30 days since your OPT recommendation was added and you have not yet filed your I-765 with USCIS, please contact OIE for support with receiving a new OPT recommendation.

4. Gather the OPT application materials to file the application with USCIS. Students must first request a recommendation for OPT from OIE before filing their application to USCIS. Per 8 CFR 214.2(f)(11), failure to include the I-20 form with the OPT recommendation when filing the OPT application with USCIS will likely result in the student being denied the OPT benefit by USCIS.
   1. G-1145 e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (This paper form is not required if you are filing your OPT application electronically with USCIS)
      1. Use this form to request a text and/or email when USCIS accepts your I-765. This should be the first page of your application package.
   2. US-style passport photo
      • Students can check with the BuzzCard Center to see if they are able to take photos. You can also visit Walgreens or CVS if you are not sure where to obtain passport style photos. Passport style photos must meet the Department of State’s photo requirements detailed on their website.  
      • If filing by mail with the paper-based application it is recommended that you write your name and I-94 number on the back of two photos.
   3. Original and complete I-765 form (This paper form is not required if you are filing your OPT application electronically with USCIS)
      • Make sure you are using the most current edition of the I-765 form. To ensure you are using the correct version of the I-765 form, review the "Edition Date" under Form Details on USCIS's website: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765.
      • Review USCIS's instructions on how to complete the I-765 form.
      • Do not use OIE's address as your mailing address on the I-765 application. OIE is unable to receive student mail. Please write in a personal mailing address on the I-765 application.
      • If applying for pre-completion OPT, use code (c)(3)(A) in line 27. If post-completion OPT, use (c)(3)(B).
      • You are encouraged to type your answers within the I-765 PDF but you must sign the form by hand and in black ink on page 4. Electronic signatures are not accepted by USCIS. If you are filing the I-765 electronically, this guidance does not apply to your application.
   4. OPT Filing Fee: Please review USCIS’s website for the filing fee amount.
      • If paying by check, do not use a starter check which does not contain your name and address printed on the top left corner of the check. Be sure to sign and date the check as well as put the I-94 number in the memo/”for” section. If the address is incorrect, do not cross out and change – leave it as is.
      • Students who do not have a check with a name and address should use a money order. Make sure to write your most recent I-94 # on the Money Order. Do not write on the back of your check/money order.
      • If paying with a check or money order, make payable to US Department of Homeland Security.
      • If paying filing fee by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover) and you are filing a paper application with USCIS, you must complete USCIS's Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transaction and mail with your application.
   5. New I-20 form containing your signature on page 1 and OIE's OPT recommendation on page 2. To view a sample of what the I-20 form with an OPT recommendation should look like, review our document guide website.
      • USCIS must receive your application within 30 of OIE making the recommendation for OPT.
      • If mailing in your application to USCIS, be sure to make a copy of your original documents. Do not mail in your original document as it will not be returned to you from USCIS.
   6. I-94 record.
      • If you have an electronic I-94 record, visit CBP's website and print out your most recent I-94 record. If you still have a paper I-94, include a copy of the front and back of your I-94 card. The paper I-94 card is the white card typically stapled in the passport.
   7. F-1 visa.
      • It is not required that the visa be valid or unexpired.
      • Those who do not have an F-1 visa because of changing status in the U.S. should include a copy of the most recent visa and the I-797 verifying F-1 status approval
      • If you are a Canadian citizen, you may enclose a copy of your citizenship card or a birth certificate & a government-issued photo ID rather than a copy of the F-1 visa.
      • If mailing in your application to USCIS, be sure to make a copy of your original documents. Do not mail in your original document as it will not be returned to you from USCIS.
   8. Biographical page of your current passport.
      • If mailing in your application to USCIS, be sure to make a copy of your original documents. Do not mail in your original document as it will not be returned to you from USCIS.
   9. If applicable, copies of any previous I-20 forms with OPT or CPT authorizations listed. Note, your signature is expected to be listed on page 1 on all I-20 forms.
   10. If applicable, copies of any previous EAD cards for OPT

Filing your OPT Application with USCIS

After collecting your OPT application materials, you then must file your OPT application with USCIS. You must ensure that USCIS receives your application within 30 days after you receive your recommendation from OIE for OPT. 

Mailing OPT Application Packet

After assembling your OPT application packet, you will need to make copies of your documents to mail to the USCIS Service Center.  Please review USCIS's website: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses, to determine where to mail the OPT application packet. You are expected to use the USCIS Service Center assigned to the mailing address you provided on the I-765 form. We encourage you to purchase tracking services when mailing your packet so that you can ensure the packet is timely delivered to USCIS.

Filing your OPT Online

On 4/12/2021, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) can now file their form I-765 online if filing under the pre-completion, post-completion and the STEM extension categories. USCIS has advised that filing online or filing a paper application by mail should take approximately the same processing time. Please note, USCIS Online filings receipts are issued according to Coordinated Universal Time, abbreviated as UTC. This means that if you are filing your application on the last day eligible to file, your receipt will be issued based on the UTC time zone which may differ from the time zone in which you reside.

USCIS has not yet published any detailed guidance on filing the I-765 form online. Students who choose to file online should read all screens completely and thoroughly and ensure they progress through the form one field at a time. Additional information may be requested as you answer questions, so it is important not to skip fields and sections of the form.  The system allows you to submit your application without all the required documents, which can lead to requests for evidence and additional difficulties. This means you must be very careful to ensure that everything is included before submitting the online application. If you choose to file the I-765 electronically, be sure to upload the I-20 with OPT recommendation in your application.

Premium Processing

On Monday, March 6, 2023, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) can request premium processing. Premium processing means that for an additional, substantial fee, USCIS will provide an expedited review and adjudication of an application. Before deciding to utilize this option, OIE encourages students to review the current wait times with USCIS as premium processing may not be necessary. For more information about the guaranteed timing when using premium processing, the application process, and the filing fee amount, please review USCIS's website.  

After USCIS Receives Your OPT Application

USCIS will receipt your I-765 application and notify you electronically and via regular mail service utilizing the I-797C receipt notice. You can expect to receive the paper receipt notice within 2-3 weeks of USCIS receiving your OPT request. Those that file their OPT application online can expect to receive their receipt notification immediately after filing. Review your personal information listed on the receipt notice - your name and mailing address - to ensure accuracy. If you need to update information with USCIS, follow the instructions provided on the receipt notice by USCIS or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

USCIS Timing

Review USCIS’s case processing times page to find out more about the expected processing time for your application.  If you believe your case is outside normal processing time, you can submit an inquiry to USCIS regarding the status of your application. If USCIS receives your Post-Completion OPT request and needs additional information, the following may occur:

• Biometrics

  • Effective December 12, 2025, USCIS issued a new policy regarding photos. After submitting the OPT application, applicants can expect to receive a notice from USCIS requiring them to attend a Biometrics Services Appointment (BSA) at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC). Applicants must be inside the U.S. in order to attend the appointment. USCIS may deny your application if you do not attend a scheduled BSA.
  • Please note the following recommendations from USCIS:
    • If you need to reschedule your ASC Biometrics Appointment, you may log in to your USCIS online account to use the online Self-Rescheduling tool or go to the Appointment Scheduler. You will be able to change the date, time, and the location of the appointment.
    • The Self-Rescheduling tool cannot be used to reschedule an appointment that has already been rescheduled two or more times, is within 12 hours, or has already passed. 

• USCIS issues a request for evidence (RFE)

  • USCIS may determine that additional information is necessary in order to adjudicate your request. USCIS will stop the processing of your application and issue a letter or Request for Evidence (RFE) explaining what additional documentation is required. USCIS will communicate a deadline for when you must respond with the additional support documentation. If you do not provide the requested evidence by the deadline, USCIS will deny your OPT application. Once USCIS receives the additional information, an officer will resume the processing of your petition and the “processing clock” will resume.

• OPT application is rejected by USCIS

  • If your application is rejected by USCIS, USCIS will return your OPT packet along with a letter explaining the reason for the rejection. In this scenario, your OPT packet will not be receipted by USCIS. Please contact OIE and provide a copy of the rejection letter. OIE will assist you with understanding the reason for the rejection and provide guidance on eligibility for refiling the I-765 request. Please note, if you receive the rejection notice after your filing window for OPT, you may no longer be eligible to apply for the OPT benefit.

If you receive an RFE, rejection/denial, or if there is an issue with your EAD card, please report this to OIE using the "Report OPT Issue" e-form found in iStart under the "4. OPT (Optional Practical Training)" section.

Maintenance of F-1 Status on Pre-Completion OPT

• Maintain full-time enrollment and remain in the Atlanta area. By pursuing pre-completion OPT, you are engaging in an optional benefit. You are still required to follow full-time enrollment requirements to maintain your F-1 status.
• You cannot engage in off-campus employment until you receive the pre-completion OPT EAD card and until the start date listed on the EAD.
• Report employment information via iStart using the OPT Personal Contact / Employment Update e-form
• As an individual on pre-completion OPT, you are considered to be an enrolled student. This means that you would follow the same procedure for travel and re-entry as enrolled F-1 students. Additional documentation is not required for re-entry beyond those documented on our OIE's Travel Guidance Website.