F-1 Pre Completion OPT

• You must have been a full-time student at NYU for at least one academic year. Students whose programs last only one academic year are eligible for post-completion OPT only.
• You must currently be in F-1 status.
• You must be in good academic standing and making normal progress toward degree completion.
• You must not have used more than 12 months of OPT in the past at your current degree level.
• You do NOT need to have a job offer in order to apply for OPT, although once you are approved for OPT, the time is deducted from your 12 months regardless of whether you actually work.

If you have been a full-time student in F-1 status for MORE than one academic year, you may apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before your desired OPT beginning date.

If you have been a full-time student in F-1 status for LESS than one academic year, you may apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before you have completed one academic year. However, your OPT cannot begin until you have completed the full academic year.

OPT requires an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS may take up to 3 months to process an application for OPT. Please plan accordingly - the OISS recommends that you apply as early as possible.

(1) Attend the mandatory off-campus employment workshop here

(2) Download an OISS F-1 OPT Recommendation Form. Complete the form and have it signed by your academic advisor, dean, department chair or program coordinator. Your department must endorse your request for OPT by signing and completing the form; confirming:

• That you are in good academic standing and are making satisfactory progress toward degree completion
• The anticipated date you will complete all of your degree requirements
• That the proposed employment is or will be related to your field of study

(3) Bring the following to the OISS to obtain an OISS recommendation

• Your passport, I-94 card, and original I-20(s)
• A completed OISS F-1 OPT Recommendation Form  

Once an OISS advisor has determined your eligibility for OPT, s/he will update SEVIS and issue a new I-20 to you, with a recommendation for OPT. Allow for OISS standard processing time.

(4) Once you have received an updated I-20 containing the OISS's recommendation, you may then submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for optional practical training. You must mail your OPT application to USCIS within 30 days of I-20 issuance. Failure to do so could lead to a denial of your application. The complete packet includes the following:

• A check or money order for $380 made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If paying by check, be sure that your name and address are printed on it.
• A completed Form I-765 signed in blue ink
• Form G-1145, in order to receive an e-notification of application receipt from USCIS
• A photocopy of your updated SEVIS I-20(s)
• Photocopies of all I-20s previously issued; include I-20s from previous schools if applicable
• A photocopy of your F-1 visa stamp (if applicable)
• A photocopy of both sides of your I-94 card, clearly indicating that you are in F-1 status for duration of status
• A photocopy of your passport identification page, clearing indicating your passport name, nationality, date of birth, and the passport expiration date
• Two passport-style photographs, with your name, date of birth, I-94 card number, and SEVIS ID number lightly printed on the back
• Photocopies of any previously-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD) cards, if applicable.

Mailing Information

Once you have prepared all of the above materials, mail your application to USCIS. For those residing in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, the address for private courier service is:

USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy, 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

If you use an address in a different part of the U.S., please speak with an OISS advisor to find out the appropriate USCIS mailing address.

USCIS routinely takes up to 90 days to process this type of application. Approval is NOT guaranteed, and you may not begin employment unless you have received written approval from the USCIS. Written approval will come in the form of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card.

If your application for OPT is approved, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from the USCIS granting you permission to work off-campus.

• The EAD card does not specify whether or not OPT has been authorized on a part-time or full-time basis. However, you are required to abide by the hourly limitations as recommended by the OISS on page 3 of your SEVIS I-20. Part-time OPT may be done for a maximum of 20 hours per week; full-time OPT allows for work in excess of 20 hours per week.
  
• While engaged in OPT, you are expected to engage in professional-level employment in your field of study. However, you may switch employers or have multiple employers.
  
• You may not start employment until you have received an EAD and not before the start date indicated on the EAD. You must stop employment by the EAD expiration date.
  
• While engaged in pre-completion OPT, you must remain a full-time student completing coursework or your remaining thesis / dissertation requirements. You are not permitted to drop to part-time study or interrupt study while engaged in pre-completion OPT.
  
• If you transfer to another institution while engaged in pre-completion OPT, your EAD becomes invalid as of the date you complete the transfer.