OPT Pre-Completion
 
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**You must attend a workshop before you will be able to apply for optional practical training**
Click here for workshop schedule.

OPT Pre-Completion

 

Employment related to your field of study before completion of an academic degree.
 

Eligibility

You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full time basis for at least a full academic year, currently be in F-1 status, and not have used twelve months or more of full-time curricular practical training or optional practical training. You are eligible for a maximum of 12 months of optional practical training employment while in F-1 status for each degree level.

You do not have to have a job offer to apply for optional practical training. However, if the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) authorizes you to work for some period of time under the provision of optional practical training and you do not find a job during that time, you will have lost the time authorized and you will not be eligible for the full 12 months of optional practical training after you graduate.
 

Required Materials

Procedure

  1. You must attend one OPT workshop before you can apply for OPT.

  2. ​Log in to your My ISS-Profile – (using your mynewpaltz credentials)

  3. You will need to upload all required documents listed above.

  4. Request OPT electronic recommendation from your academic advisor.

  5. Complete OPT Student Information Sheet.

  6. Electronically sign the OPT Agreement. 


Application Deadline

You must have been in valid student status for one academic year before you may apply to the immigration service for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Remember, you may not begin employment until you have been issued an EAD by the USCIS. Requests for employment authorization must be mailed to the USCIS in Texas and may require 2-3 months for adjudication.
 

*NOTE*  Once your OPT I-20 has been created by our office, USCIS must receive the completed application package within 30 days or your application will likely be denied.

The USCIS will first send a receipt and then send the EAD card to the address indicated on the I-765 form. If you are graduating and moving soon, you should provide an address where you will be sure to receive your mail.
 

Processing Time

The process for receiving employment authorization can take up to 90 days.
 

Special Considerations

  • Students in English language programs are not eligible for practical training.

  • Regulations allow you to change employers during the period of authorized practical training as long as the new employment continues to be directly related to your field of study and commensurate with your educational level.

  • You are not allowed to work until you receive the EAD from USCIS.

  • Students on pre-completion OPT may not work  more than 20 hours on and/ or off campus during the academic semesters, but may work full-time during the longer vacations.