F-1 PRE-COMPLETION OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)

Eligibility criteria for pre-completion OPT:

• You must have been enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one academic year on the same SEVIS number.
• Your I-20 should have a completion date beyond your requested pre-completion OPT end date.
• You must be currently pursuing your degree. Pre-completion OPT cannot be authorized after completing your program.
• You are limited to 20 hours per week of pre-completion OPT (part-time OPT) while school is in session.
• You can apply for full-time OPT authorization during your annual vacation (usually in the Summer) and during other official school breaks, however this requires a separate application from part-time OPT.
• You must be enrolled full-time during the term OPT is requested and while on pre-completion OPT, or have an approved Reduced Course Load authorization.
• During the OPT period, you maintain F-1 student status.

What is required of my job while I am on pre-completion OPT?

• Employment must be directly related to your major field of study.
• The employment can be paid or unpaid.

When can I apply for pre-completion OPT?

• An applicant for pre-completion OPT can file a Form I-765 with USCIS "up to 90 days before being enrolled for one full academic year, provided that the period of employment will not start prior to the completion of the full academic year." This would allow first-year students to obtain pre-completion OPT in the summer after their first year.

Should I apply for CPT or pre-Completion OPT?

• Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
• Go to "Services" tab.
• Select "F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) I-20 Request".
• Choose the "Pre-Completion OPT" type option.
• Fill out your request.
• Choose your "Document Delivery Preference".
• "Submit" your request.

• Your new I-20 reflecting your OPT endorsement will be issued within 7 business days.
• You can check the status of your request anytime by logging in to iPortal and clicking on "My Requests" tab.
• A notification email will be sent to you when your document is ready.
• Sign your new I-20/DS-2019 when you receive it, and keep your previous I-20/DS-2019 for your records, do NOT throw it away.

Gather all required documents for the OPT Application.

In order to compile a complete OPT Application, make sure to carefully follow instructions in these guides:

• OPT Application Guide: This guide lists all documents required in the OPT Application
• Form I-765 Guide: This guide is also meant for post-completion OPT; the main difference for pre-completion OPT is #27 on page 4 of the I-765 should be ( c ) (3) (A) instead of ( c ) (3) (B) for post-completion OPT.

When should I mail my OPT application to USCIS?

• USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the date that we issue your OPT I-20.
• If your application package does not arrive to USCIS on time, USCIS will deny your application. Make sure to plan accordingly.
• If you are not able to have your OPT application delivered to USCIS within the 30-day window from the date the OPT I-20 was issued, then you must request a Replacement I-20 in iPortal to restart the 30-day window.

What address should I send my OPT application to?

• Note: OPT applications must be mailed to USCIS from within the U.S. The U.S. Postal Service will not forward mail from USCIS if your address changes.