Office of Immigration Services Pre-Completion OPT

Who is eligible for Pre-Completion OPT?

To be eligible for for Pre-Completion OPT, you must:

• Be currently maintaining F-1 status
• Have been studying at Amherst/in the U.S. for at least one academic year (two consecutive semesters)

How do I apply?

1. Complete the required OPT learning module (Moodle). 
   • This module consists of an informational presentation, a short quiz, and a form to request an I-20 for your OPT application.  
     
      
2. Prepare your OPT application materials.
   • Applying for OPT online?  Follow steps 1 through 7 of the OIS’s online OPT application instructions to prepare your application materials.  Bring your laptop with drafted I-765 and application materials to your OPT Application Review Session with the OIS.  Applying online is highly recommended.
   • Applying for OPT by mail? Collect your materials and prepare your I-765 form using the OIS's mail-in application instructions.  Bring your drafted I-765 and application materials to your OPT Application Review Session with the OIS.
     
      
3. Schedule and attend a 30-minute OPT Application Review Session with the OIS.  
   • During this session, your OPT application materials will be reviewed and any questions you have can be discussed.
     
      
4. Receive your OPT recommendation I-20 from the OIS.
   • After your OPT application review session, the OIS will provide you with your OPT recommendation I-20 via email.  The OPT recommendation I-20 is a required component of your OPT application.
     
      
5. Sign your OPT recommendation I-20 and add it to your OPT application. Make any other necessary changes to your OPT application based on feedback from your OPT review session with the OIS.
   
    
6. Submit your OPT application to USCIS.  USCIS must receive your Post-Completion OPT application no more than 30 days after your OPT recommendation I-20 was issued. 

When do I apply?

• If you have been a student for more than one academic year in the U.S. and are currently in F-1 status, you may apply for Pre-Completion OPT up to 90 days before you want your OPT to start.
• If you are in F-1 status and have been a full-time student for less than one academic year, you may apply for Pre-Completion OPT up to 90 days before you will have completed one academic year. Your requested OPT start date cannot fall before you have completed the full academic year.
• USCIS must receive your OPT application no more than 30 days after your OPT recommendation I-20 was issued by OIS.
• Plan ahead and apply as early as you can.  It generally takes 2-5 months for USCIS to process OPT applications.  For the most up-to-date processing time estimate, visit the USCIS's processing times page and search for Form I-765 at the USCIS Service Center listed in your receipt notice (typically, OPT cases are processed by the Potomac Service Center).

Is funding support available for the OPT filing fee?

The OIS is able to provide a limited amount of grants to international students to help with OPT filing fees.

If you are an international student in F-1 status who receives financial aid from Amherst College, and if you are applying for Pre-Completion or Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) this semester, you may submit the USCIS Filing Fee Grant Request online.

Unfortunately, we are not able to fund all requests. We may offer partial funding if full funding is not available.

What can I expect as USCIS processes my application?

• Within a week or two of submitting your OPT application to USCIS, a paper receipt notice from USCIS will be mailed to the mailing address listed on the I-765. (If you apply online, your receipt notice should be immediately available in MyUSCIS).
• Your receipt number can be used to track your application status via the USCIS case status tool.
• Application processing times vary, though they generally hover around 2-5 months.
• Occasionally, USCIS may issue a follow-up “Request for Evidence” notice, asking for additional documentation. If you receive such a request, please consult with the OIS. 
• If/when your application is approved, an approval notice will be mailed to the mailing address listed on the I-765.  (If you apply online, your approval notice will also be available in MyUSCIS).
• If/when your application is approved, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will also be mailed to the mailing address listed on the I-765.  The EAD is a photo identification card that serves as your proof of OPT work authorization.

When can I start working?

You may start working when you have received your EAD and the approved OPT start date on that EAD is no longer in the future.  You may not begin working any sooner than this.

Where can I start working?

You may work at any position that directly relates to your major field of study.  You should feel confident in the connection between your major and your employment.

Work does not have to be paid on Pre-Completion OPT.  Volunteer and unpaid work are fine, as long as the work directly relates to your major field of study.

How many hours can I work per week?

You may request Pre-Completion OPT on a part-time basis only (20 hours or less per week) during the fall or spring semester.  You may request Pre-Completion OPT on either a part-time or full-time basis during summer and winter breaks.