The information below focuses on Pre-Completion OPT. For information on Post-Completion OPT, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/opt.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) gives F-1 students 12 months of "temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study" [8 CFR § 214.2(f)(10)(ii)]. OPT is available to F-1 students who have been in full-time student status for at least one academic year in the United States. OPT does not require a job offer. A student may be eligible for a new 12-month period after completing a new degree program at a higher education level. Although most students will choose to apply for the full 12 months as Post-Completion OPT (i.e., work authorization after completing their academic degree), students may also be eligible for Pre-Completion OPT, where they use part or all of the 12 months during their studies.

Important: OPT is not an entitlement, but a benefit that is granted at the discretion of USCIS after a thorough review of your application.

Quick Facts about OPT

• OPT work authorization is available for 12 months.
• Students can apply for Pre-Completion OPT during their studies (part-time employment only during the semesters, may be full-time during summer and winter breaks) or Post-Completion OPT based on a completed degree (full-time employment).
• Pre-Completion OPT time will be subtracted from the total 12 month OPT eligibility. For example, if you apply for 2 months of Pre-Completion OPT, you are only eligible for 10 months of Post-Completion OPT.
• You must be in the United States to apply for OPT.
• A job offer is not required for OPT application.
• Employment on OPT must be directly related to student's major field of study and commensurate with degree level.
• Employment on OPT can be paid or unpaid.

How to Request Pre-Completion OPT I-20 from OISS

Step 1: Meet with OISS Advisor

If you are considering Pre-Completion OPT, please schedule an individual appointment with an OISS advisor.

Step 2: Work with your faculty advisor to complete the Pre-Completion OPT Faculty Advisor Form

Student completes the top section and Rice faculty member/advisor completes the bottom section. Click here to access the Faculty Advisor Form.

Step 3: Complete your Pre-Completion OPT request form online

The Pre-Completion OPT request form, which includes your requested Pre-Completion OPT dates and the Pre-Completion OPT SOU, is available online at https://bit.ly/precompOPTrequest. In addition to completing the form, you must also upload the following documents:

1) Pre-Completion OPT Faculty Advisor Form
2) Your transcript
3) Your most recent I-94 record, available at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94
4) Optional for students who would like to request a courtesy review from OISS: Form I-765 "Application for Employment Authorization". Please see the "How to File" sections below for some tips on the completing either the online or paper Form I-765, and make sure to submit the correct version (i.e., online or paper based) for the courtesy review. Please note that accuracy and completeness of the Form I-765 is still ultimately your responsibility!

How to File Online Pre-Completion OPT Application

Step 1: Prepare application materials

While OISS works on your new I-20 (please allow 1-2 weeks for processing), please make sure you have the remaining application items ready:

1) Optional cover letter (template available)
2) A passport-style photo taken within 30 days
3) Photocopies of your passport, most recent F-1 visa, and current I-94 record
4) Photocopy of the front and back of any previous EAD card(s), if applicable
5) Copy of transcript showing full-time enrollment for at least one academic year
6) Photocopies of previous CPT and OPT I-20s
7) Additional supplemental documents as appropriate and stated in your cover letter

Step 2: Attend a Pre-Completion OPT follow-up appointment with an OISS advisor

When your OPT I-20 is ready, an OISS advisor will contact you to schedule a Pre-Completion OPT follow-up appointment, during which the advisor will discuss the rest of the application process.

Step 3: Create a USCIS Online Account

Create the USCIS Online Account at https://myaccount.uscis.gov/.

For detailed step-by-step instructions, please see https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/how-to-create-a-uscis-online-account.

Step 4: Complete the Form I-765 online

Please note that you must complete the online application very carefully. The system allows you to submit an incomplete application without all required evidence, which can lead to delays and additional difficulties. If you start working on your online I-765 in advance, USCIS will keep your draft for up to 30 days, allowing you to return to finish it later. Do NOT submit the payment and application until you have received the OPT recommendation I-20 from OISS and uploaded it under the Evidence section!

The guidance below is not intended to be legal advice, but general suggestions for how you might proceed when completing the online I-765 application.

Complete the Form I-765 online

	Login to your USCIS Online Account and select "File a form online"
	Select the Form I-765 and click on "Start form" Read through all the provided information very carefully before proceeding to the questions.
	Although the menu on the left allows you to skip to any section of the I-765, it is recommended that you complete the form in order to ensure no responses are missed. Under eligibility category, select "c(3)(A) Student Pre-Completion OPT"
	Reason for applying should be "Initial permission to accept employment" Make sure to report any previously filed I-765, if applicable.
	If a preparer or an interpreter assists you with completing the application, you must disclose it and answer additional questions regarding the preparer and/or interpreter.
	Enter your name exactly as it is listed on your Form I-20. Make sure to also report any other names you may have used, alternate spellings, and any alternate order in which your names may sometimes be listed, if applicable.
	Please make sure to respond to all questions carefully and accurately. If you use your own address for mailing, you should leave the “In care of name” field blank. If you use the address of a family member of friend, please enter their name in the "In care of name" field. You are welcome to use the OISS address for mailing purposes! Please list it as follows: OISS, Rice University 6100 Main Street MS-365 Houston, Texas 77005
	If you use a separate mailing address, i.e., an address where you do not currently physically live, you MUST report your physical address separately. This address should match what is reported as your physical address in SEVIS, so please make sure your address is current in ESTHER before submitting your OPT application.
	Please select the options that best apply to you.
	Please make sure to respond to all questions carefully and accurately. All dates should be listed in the MM/DD/YYYY format.
	Please make sure to respond to all questions carefully and accurately. If you are a citizen of more than one country, report them all by selecting "+ Add country" as needed. Your I-94 number is listed at the top of your I-94 record as “Admission (I-94) Record Number.” Your Status at last arrival is most likely F-1, so select “F-1 - F-1 - Student, Academic or Language Program” from the dropdown. Exception: If you originally entered the U.S. in a different visa status, filed and were approved by USCIS for a change of status to F-1, and have not traveled internationally since then, please make sure to select the correct status at last arrival!
	Please make sure to respond to all questions carefully and accurately. Most F-1 students do not have a travel document, so you may leave that question blank.
	In order to qualify for Pre-Completion OPT, your current immigration status must be F-1. Please select “F-1 - F-1 - Student, Academic or Language Program” from the dropdown. Your SEVIS Number is available at the top of your Form I-20.
	Unless you specifically have and know your A-Number and/or your USCIS Online Account Number, you may select that you do not have or know these numbers.
	Please make sure to respond to all questions accurately. If you have an SSN, you will be asked to provide it. If you do not have an SSN, you have the option of requesting for a Social Security card to be issued on the Form I-765. In that case you must give USCIS consent to disclose your information to SSA, and you will be asked a few additional questions related to the Social Security Number application.
	These additional questions only apply to students who are requesting a Social Security card to be issued on the Form I-765.
	Please read through the photo requirements carefully. Use the link to access the Department of State’s photo composition tools if you need to resize or otherwise adjust your photo to meet the requirements. Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	Please upload a copy of your I-94 record (available at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94), or a copy of your USCIS I-797A Approval Notice if you have changed status to F-1 inside the U.S. and have not traveled internationally since then. Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	Although the instructions for this section only request that one identity document be uploaded, we strongly recommend that you upload all of the following: 1) Passport biographical page 2) Most recent F-1 visa stamp even if it has expired (if applicable) 3) Previous EAD card(s) (if applicable) Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	Please upload a copy of your transcript showing enrollment for one full academic year. Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	Please upload a copy of the SEVIS employment history document, which will be provided by OISS together with your OPT I-20. We strongly recommend that you also upload copies of all previous I-20s that contain CPT and/or OPT authorizations. Please note that in addition to uploading the supporting evidence, you must also report any previous CPT and OPT authorizations in the Additional Information section. See below for more information. Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	Please upload a copy of the new OPT I-20 provided by OISS. No other I-20 copies should be uploaded in this section. Please make sure you have signed the I-20 (by hand in ink, electronic signatures from students are not accepted). The online application must be submitted to USCIS within 30 days of the issue date of your OPT I-20! Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	In addition to uploading the supporting evidence, you must also report any previous CPT authorizations in the Additional Information section of the online I-765, if applicable. Please make sure to include the degree level at which the CPT was granted, as that detail is specifically listed as required in the official USCIS I-765 Instructions.
	In addition to uploading the supporting evidence, you must also report any previous OPT authorizations in the Additional Information section of the online I-765, if applicable. Please make sure to include the degree level at which the OPT was granted, as that detail is specifically listed as required in the official USCIS I-765 Instructions.
	You must also report any previous SEVIS IDs in the Additional Information section of the online I-765, if applicable. Visa types that have a SEVIS record are F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1 and M-2.
	Please review any alerts and warnings very carefully. Although USCIS allows you to add unsolicited documents at a later stage, the application itself cannot be changed after submission.
	Please review your responses very carefully. The system allows you to submit your application without all the required documentation, and although USCIS allows you to add unsolicited documents at a later stage, submitting an incomplete application can lead to delays and additional difficulties.
	If you did not report having used an interpreter, you must attest to having read and understood every question and instructions related to the Form I-765.
	Please read the declaration very carefully and sign the online I-765 digitally by typing your full legal name where requested.
	Your OPT application will be submitted to USCIS once you have paid the application fee online. The available payment methods include a withdrawal from a U.S. checking or savings account, or payment with a U.S. debit or credit card. USCIS does not accept foreign debit or credit cards. If you choose to start working on the I-765 in advance, USCIS will keep your draft for up to 30 days, allowing you to return to finish it. DO NOT SUBMIT THE PAYMENT AND APPLICATION until you have received the new OPT I-20 from OISS and uploaded it under the Evidence section (under Form I-20).
	After you submit your application, an electronic receipt notice will be immediately available under Your Cases in the Documents tab. USCIS will also mail you a hard copy receipt notice, which you should receive in a few weeks. If you wish to add additional documentation to your application, such as the optional cover letter, you may upload them as unsolicited evidence.

Step 5: Respond to any requests from USCIS, if applicable

If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) for your OPT application, you will receive the notification through your USCIS Online Account. Please read through the request carefully paying special attention to the response deadline. Contact OISS if you need any assistance and upload your response through your USCIS Online Account as quickly as possibly.

How to File Paper Based Pre-Completion OPT Application

Step 1: Prepare application materials

While OISS works on your new I-20 (please allow 1-2 weeks for processing), please make sure you have the remaining application items ready:

1) Recommended G-1145 E-notification form – Use this form to request a text message and/or email notification from USCIS when they receive your application.
2) A check or money order for $410.00 to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" OR Form G-1450 – Only credit cards issued by a U.S. bank may be used for Form G-1450, foreign credit cards are not accepted
3) Recommended cover letter (template available)
4) Two passport-style photos taken within 30 days
5) Completed Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (must be signed by hand in ink) – Please see the official USCIS instructions at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 and OISS tips below
6) Photocopies of your passport, most recent F-1 visa, and current I-94 record
7) Photocopy of the front and back of any previous EAD card(s), if applicable
8) Copy of transcript showing full-time enrollment for at least one academic year
9) Photocopies of previous CPT and OPT I-20s
10) Additional supplemental documents as appropriate and stated in your cover letter

All documents should be single sided. Photocopies do not need to be in color.

Tips for Completing the Paper Form I-765

The guidance below is not intended to be legal advice, but general suggestions for how you might proceed when completing the Form I-765 when applying for Post-Completion OPT using a paper based application. If you have questions about parts of the form not covered here, please contact OISS. You also want to read the official USCIS instructions at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765.

Make sure to check the Edition Date of your Form I-765 and verify that it is the currently accepted edition as listed at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765.

We strongly recommend that the form is typed on a computer, and only printed for an original signature. USCIS recommends using the most recent version of Adobe Reader for best functionality of the form. Handwritten responses can lead to misinterpreted characters, etc., but if you wish to still submit a handwritten form, please use black ink and make sure that all responses are strictly within the lines of the answer box.

Part 1. Reason for Applying – Please check option 1.a. “Initial permission to accept employment.”

Part 2. Information about You – Your Full Legal Name & Other Names Used
Enter your name exactly as it is listed on your Form I-20 in the Full Legal Name section. Make sure to also report any other names you may have used, alternate spellings, and any alternate order in which your names may sometimes be listed, if applicable.

Part 2. Information about You – Your U.S. Mailing Address

• Complete 5.a. (In Care Of Name) only if you’re using an address that is not your own. In that case you would put the name of the person living in that address. For example, you are always welcome to use the OISS address, in which case you should complete question 5. as follows:
  a. In Care of Name: OISS, Rice University
  b. Street Number and Name: 6100 Main Street, MS-365
  c. Leave blank
  d. City or Town: Houston
  e. State: TX
  f. ZIP code: 77005
• If you’re using your own physical address, you should leave 5.a. blank and complete your address in the remaining fields under question 5. You should respond “Yes” to question 6.
• If you’re using a mailing address other than your physical address, you must answer “No” on question 6, and include your physical address in question 7.
• IMPORTANT: Your physical address should match the address we have reported for you in SEVIS, which is based on the address you have in ESTHER. Please make sure your physical address is correct in the Mailing Address field in ESTHER before submitting your OPT application.

Part 2. Information about You – Other Information

• Question 8. (Alien Registration Number) – It is likely that you do not know your A-number unless you have previously applied for an EAD. If you have a previous EAD, please include the number titled “USCIS #” on your EAD.
• Question 12. (Have you previously filed Form I-765) – If your answer is “Yes”, you must submit a copy of your previous EAD (or EADs) with your OPT application. You must also use Part 6. of the Form I-765 to provide evidence of any previously authorized OPT and the academic level at which it was authorized.
• Questions 13 - 17 (Regarding SSA) – If you have an SSN, you should provide it. If you do not have an SSN, you have the option of requesting for a Social Security card to be issued on the Form I-765. In that case you must give USCIS consent to disclose your information to SSA (question 15), and you must answer a few additional questions related to the Social Security Number application (questions 16 - 17). If your response to question 14 is "No," questions 15, 16 and 17 should all be left blank according to the instructions on the form indicating you should skip to question 18.

Part 2. Information about You – Information about Your Last Arrival in the United States

• Question 24. (Immigration Status at Your Last Arrival) – In most cases this is F-1, so enter "F-1 student." Exception: If you originally entered the U.S. in a different visa status, filed and were approved by USCIS for a change of status to F-1, and have not traveled internationally since then, please make sure to enter the correct status at last arrival!
• Question 25. (Your Current Immigration Status or Category) – In order to qualify for OPT, your current immigration status must be F-1. Please enter "F-1 student."
• Question 26. (SEVIS Number) – If you have had a different SEVIS number in the past, you must use Part 6. of the Form I-765 to provide it.
• Question 27. (Eligibility Category) – The eligibility category for regular Pre-Completion OPT is (c)(3)(A).
• When applying for Pre-Completion OPT, questions 28 – 31 should be left blank.

Part 3. Applicant’s Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, Certification, and Signature

• Question 7.a. (Applicant's signature) – Please note that the Form I-765 requires an original, handwritten signature. Electronic signatures are not accepted by USCIS.
• Question 7.b. (Date of signature) – USCIS must receive your OPT application within 30 days of when your OPT I-20 is issued by OISS. We also recommend making sure that the date of signature on the Form I-765 is no older than 30 days when USCIS receives your application.

Part 4. – should only be completed if you use an interpreter to help you with the Form I-765.

Part 5. – should only be completed if the Form I-765 is completed by someone else on your behalf.

Part 6. Additional Information – Use this page to report any additional information. Here is a list of some of the situations where you would want to complete Part 6:

• If you didn’t have enough space to include your complete response on any of the previous questions, you may continue or clarify your response here. Make sure to indicate the correct Page, Part and Item Numbers.
• If you have been authorized for CPT in the past – including during a previous academic level, by a previous school, or under a different SEVIS ID Number – you must indicate it here. We recommend referring the response back to the question about your Eligibility Category by indicating Page Number 3, Part 2, Item Number 27. On the lines, please indicate you're reporting previously authorized CPT, and include at least the dates and the degree level at which the CPT was granted, as that detail is specifically listed as required in the official USCIS I-765 Instructions. You may also want to include the name of the employer and if the CPT was for part-time or full-time practical training. Finally, please also indicate that copies of the CPT I-20s are included in the application. If you no longer have those CPT I-20s available, you may want to contact your previous school to see if you could get a printout of your SEVIS Employment History and/or if they could issue a letter for you confirming any CPT that was authorized for you. For CPT authorized by Rice, OISS will provide your SEVIS CPT History to include in your application as an additional supporting documentation.
• If you have applied for OPT in the past, you must indicate it here. We recommend referring the response back to the question about your Eligibility Category by indicating Page Number 3, Part 2, Item Number 27. On the lines, please indicate you're reporting previously authorized OPT, and include at least the dates and the degree level at which the OPT was granted, as that detail is specifically listed as required in the official USCIS I-765 Instructions. You may want to also indicate that a copy of the OPT I-20 and EAD are included in the application.
• If you have had a different SEVIS Number in the past, you must report it here. We recommend referring the response back to the question about your Eligibility Category by indicating Page Number 3, Part 2, Item Number 27. On the lines, please indicate that you are providing a previous SEVIS Number. You may also want to include the dates when the SEVIS ID was used, the sponsoring institution, and clarify the visa type, especially if other than F-1 (visa types that have a SEVIS record are F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1 and M-2). You may want to include copies of your previous I-20s and/or DS-2019s in your application as supporting documentation.

Step 2: Attend a Pre-Completion OPT follow-up appointment with an OISS advisor

When your OPT I-20 is ready, an OISS advisor will contact you to schedule a Pre-Completion OPT follow-up appointment, during which the advisor will discuss the rest of the application process.

Step 3: Assemble your Pre-Completion OPT application

Once you have received your OPT I-20 and attended the Pre-Completion OPT follow-up appointment with OISS, please assemble your Pre-Completion OPT application with the items in the listed order:

1) Recommended G-1145 E-notification form
2) Payment (A check or money order for $410.00 to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" OR Form G-1450)
3) Recommended cover letter (template available)
4) Two passport-style photos taken within 30 days
5) Completed Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (must be signed by hand in ink)
6) Photocopy of the OPT I-20 with your signature (you should keep the original)
7) SEVIS CPT history printout (OISS will provide this along with your OPT I-20)
8) Photocopies of your passport, most recent F-1 visa, and current I-94 record
9) Photocopy of transcript showing full-time enrollment for at least one academic year
10) Photocopy of the front and back of any previous EAD card(s), if applicable
11) Photocopies of previous CPT and OPT I-20s
12) Additional supplemental documents as appropriate and stated in your cover letter

All documents should be single sided. Photocopies do not need to be in color. Please make a copy of the entire application for your records before moving mailing it to USCIS.

Step 4: Mail your application to USCIS

Please see the USCIS I-765 website section "Where to File" for the current mailing address for your OPT application. Please note that you may not mail your application more than 90 days before your requested Pre-Completion OPT start date. In addition, USCIS must receive your application no more than 30 days after the OPT I-20 was issued. We strongly recommend mailing the application with tracking.

You can get a slightly discounted shipping through eShipGlobal. Visit https://study.eshipglobal.com, create an account if you don't already have one, select "OPT application" followed by the correct Lockbox as indicated on the USCIS website, and enter your payment information. If you have any questions, please contact eShipGlobal directly.

Step 5: Respond to any requests from USCIS, if applicable

If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) for your OPT application, you will receive a hard copy notification in the mail. Please read through the request carefully paying special attention to the response deadline. Contact OISS if you need any assistance, and mail in your response as quickly as possible.

FAQ for Pre-Completion OPT

When is Pre-Completion OPT recommended?

Most F-1 students use CPT (Curricular Practical Training) work authorization for any off-campus practical training opportunities taking place during their studies. However, there are situations where the practical training opportunity does not qualify for CPT and Pre-Completion OPT is the more appropriate choice. This includes practical training opportunities that are directly related to your major field(s) of study, but are not required for or an integral part of your degree program.

Entrepreneurial activities do not qualify for CPT, but instead would require an approved Pre-Completion OPT during your studies.

For more information on the differences between CPT and Pre-Completion OPT, please see the F-1 Student Employment Authorization Comparison Chart at https://oiss.rice.edu/studentwork, under Student Work Off-Campus for F-1 Students.

When can I apply for Pre-Completion OPT?

You become eligible for Pre-Completion OPT once you have been enrolled full-time in lawful status for at least one academic year. Your application may be submitted to USCIS before reaching this requirement, but the requested start date must be after eligibility is reached. In addition, you may not submit your application more than 90 days before your requested Pre-Completion OPT start date.

Your application must also be received by USCIS within 30 days of the Pre-Completion OPT I-20 issuance date.

Can I apply if I've used any type of OPT before?

Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT per advancing degree level, so if you have not yet reached 12 months of OPT at your current degree level, you may be eligible to apply for Pre-Completion OPT. Please schedule an appointment with an OISS advisor to discuss your plans in more detail.

How does Pre-Completion OPT affect Post-Completion OPT eligibility?

Pre-Completion OPT time will be subtracted from the total 12 month OPT eligibility for your current degree level, with part-time Pre-Completion OPT being subtracted at 50% of the time authorized.

For example, if you apply for 2 months of full-time Pre-Completion OPT, you are only eligible for 10 months of Post-Completion OPT. If you apply for 2 months of part-time Pre-Completion OPT, only 1 month is subtracted and you are eligible for 11 months of Post-Completion OPT.

Time approved by USCIS for Pre-Completion OPT cannot be reclaimed for Post-Completion OPT even if you end up not using the Pre-Completion OPT work authorization for work/practical training.

I don’t have a job offer, can I still apply for Pre-Completion OPT?

Yes, you can apply for OPT even if you don’t have a job offer.

How do I submit the Pre-Completion OPT request to OISS?

Please submit your Pre-Completion OPT request electronically through https://bit.ly/precompOPTrequest.

What happens after the OPT application is submitted online/mailed to USCIS?

1) USCIS sends an I-797 Notice of Action once your application is received, usually in a few weeks. When applying online, the receipt notice is immediately available electronically as well. This notice will contain a receipt number to check application status at https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do.
2) USCIS mails your OPT EAD card (Employment Authorization Document). Processing times vary but may take 90+ days.

What if my EAD card does not arrive in time?

You are not eligible to begin employment, even unpaid, until you have received the OPT EAD card (Employment Authorization Document issued by USCIS when OPT is approved) and are within the validity dates indicated on the card.

What are the requirements for maintaining status while on Pre-Completion OPT?

The standard rules for maintaining status as an F-1 student still apply, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/maintaining-status for more information. While approved Pre-Completion OPT provides authorization to work, employment is not required in order to maintain status.

If your Pre-Completion OPT was approved for part-time work authorization, your practical training may not exceed 20 hours/week.

Can I start my own business or work for a start-up company on Pre-Completion OPT?

Yes, as long as the work is directly related to your major field of study and commensurate with your degree level. Please also keep in mind that you are limited to the period of authorized employment indicated on the Pre-Completion OPT EAD card.

Can my Pre-Completion OPT application be expedited?

Possibly, as USCIS has made Premium Processing available for OPT applications. The premium processing filing fee for OPT applications is $1,500, and the guaranteed processing time with premium processing is 30 days. To learn more, please see https://www.uscis.gov/i-907.

OISS is not able to provide detailed guidance or advise on adding Premium Processing to your Pre-Completion OPT application, but USCIS has instructions available under the "Forms and Document Downloads" section of their Premium Processing webpage.

For information on standard processing times without premium processing, please see https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times.

Pre-Completion OPT is very nuanced. We strongly recommend discussing your plans with an OISS advisor if you are considering Pre-Completion OPT.