Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in your degree program, to off campus work in your field of study prior to graduation. Pre-Completion OPT is authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) but students must first be recommended by the ISSO. The maximum amount of time granted to work on F-1 Pre-Completion OPT status is 12 months per degree level.

Students become eligible to apply for pre-completion OPT after they have completed at least two consecutive, full-time, academic year (Fall/Spring) semesters. Feel free to learn more about OPT eligibility in our OPT FAQs. The sections below generally cover Pre-Completion OPT, which occurs while enrolled and is rarely utilized by UNC Charlotte students. To learn more about Post-Completion OPT, which occurs after graduation, please visit this page.

When to Apply

Processing time by USCIS varies, but usually takes up to 4-6 months. Students are strongly encouraged to apply up to 90 days prior to the proposed job start date. Students can apply for pre-completion OPT even before they have completed their second academic year term, but no earlier than 90 days before the proposed job start date.

Example:
  • A Fall 2026 admitted student who wants to do a Pre-Completion OPT off-campus job that starts on 6/1/2027 in Summer 2027 can apply as early as Wednesday, March 3rd (90 days before 6/1/2027).
  • Notice that this student will have completed two academic year terms (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027) by the start of the proposed work.
How to Apply
  1. Meet with an ISSO Advisor during Phone or Walk-In Advising. There is no dedicated Pre-Completion OPT workshop, but there are many considerations that come with applying that you’ll want to discuss with an advisor before proceeding.
  2. Determine your proposed Pre-Completion OPT Start Date with your prospective employer and apply for an OPT-recommended I-20:
    • Login to the ISSO Portal, open menu “F-1 Student Services”, and click app “Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) I-20 Request”. Note: as of 9/16/2026, this application is still under development. To learn how to apply, consult with an advisor.
    • You can return to your application at any time by logging into the ISSO Portal and finding your active application under the “Requests” heading
    • Once submitted, the processing time is 5 business days. Your E-signed Pre-Completion OPT I-20 will be uploaded to your ISSO Portal account, under the Documents section in the upper right hand corner.
  3. Prepare your I-765 application:
    • Unlike with Post-Completion OPT, the ISSO does not offer Pre-Completion OPT Review sessions.
    • If you have any questions about preparing the Pre-Completion I-765, please email intlsso@charlotte.edu.
  4. Finalize and submit your I-765 application to USCIS, including paying the I-765 fee.
  5. Wait ~4-6 months for your Pre-Completion OPT EAD card to arrive.
    • ​​The most accurate way to check your case status is through the USCIS Case Status tool.
    • If you wish to apply for Premium Processing, you can log into your USCIS account at any time, click file a form online, and choose Form I-907. ISSO recommends students give careful consideration prior to submitting a premium processing application to USCIS. We encourage students to consider current processing times, when their OPT application was received by USCIS, their requested OPT start date/employment start date.
Pre-Completion OPT Application Resources

Consult the following resources to help you throughout the process:

Special Considerations With Applying for and Using Pre-Completion OPT

Pre-Completion OPT is rarely used by UNC Charlotte students for the following reasons:

  • Authorized periods of Pre-Completion OPT get deducted from the amount of time that a student is eligible for for Post-Completion OPT.
    • E.g. a student who is authorized for 3 months of full-time Pre-Completion OPT will only subsequently be eligible for 9 months of Post-Completion OPT.
    • A student who uses all 12 months of Pre-Completion OPT not only loses their 12 months of Post-Completion OPT, but has no ability to apply for a 24 month STEM OPT extension (if an eligible field was studied).
  • Some Pre-Completion OPT applications have, in recent years, taken USCIS 7+ months to adjudicate, unless the student files with Premium Processing. Without filing the petition with Premium Processing, it is possible that the EAD will not be received in time to begin the proposed employment — resulting in the wastage of OPT time.
  • While part-time Pre-Completion OPT during the academic year is possible, normal academic year limits on total employment (which cannot exceed 20 hours per week when school is in session) still apply, preventing “stacking” of pre-completion OPT and on-campus employment.
    • Part-time Pre-Completion OPT used gets deducted from Post-Completion Eligibility at a 50% rate. E.g. 3 months of part-time summer Pre-Completion OPT will result in a student being eligible for 10.5 months of full-time Post-Completion OPT.
  • For some students, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), may still be a superior option, so long as your program has a mandatory internship requirement that all students must complete in order to graduate.
  • Filing the Form I-765 with USCIS for Pre-Completion OPT entails paying the filing fee for the petition. View current USCIS fees here.

However, some students may benefit from using Pre-Completion OPT, despite its cons. This may include:

  • Those who expect that a separate green card or other immigration petition that allows unrestricted work may be approved prior to graduation (and who therefore do not need to use Post-Completion OPT).
  • Students who are ineligible for CPT but who have an optional job offer worth pursuing.

ISSO staff can help students weigh the pros and cons of various F-1 employment benefits during advising.