International Student Services

Pre-Completion OPT

You may apply to participate in pre-completion OPT after you have been enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at UT Tyler. You do not need to have had F-1 status for the one full academic year.

If you are authorized to participate in pre-completion OPT, you may work part time (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session. You may work full time when school is not in session.        

• Pre-completion OPT is OPT for which you are authorized before you complete your program of study. It is available after you have completed one academic year of study.
• The application process is identical to the process for applying for post-completion OPT except the pre-completion OPT application code would be (c) (3) (A).
• You may apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before you will complete your full academic year. No employer is required at the time of application. You will need to specify the exact dates you wish to be authorized to work.
• Pre-completion OPT may be authorized for up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. Pre-completion OPT may be full-time (over 20 hours per week) when classes are not in session, generally during the summer break between spring and fall terms.
• There are no extensions available for pre-completion OPT.
• Pre-completion OPT will be counted toward the 12-month OPT allowance. Part-time pre-completion OPT will count ½, and full-time pre-completion OPT will count full. For example, if you are authorized for two months of part-time pre-completion OPT, you will only have 11 months remaining to use following the completion of your program of study. If you are authorized for two months of full-time pre-completion OPT, you will only have 10 months remaining to use following the completion of your program.
• While participating in pre-completion OPT, there is no unemployment restriction. In other words, you may be authorized for pre-completion OPT even if you never actually work. However, the time for which you are authorized will be deducted from your 12-month allowance, whether you work or not.
• Even though you can apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before you compete a full academic year, and up to 90 days before you plan to begin working, it will take USCIS most of that time to process your application. If you apply late, you may not receive your authorization until much of the time that you wanted to work has already passed. You may not begin your work until your application has been approved and your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has been received.
• Like all other forms of OPT the employment must be directly related to the major field of study.

Online Application Process

1. Complete the OPT Request Form
2. Pay the OPT Admin Fee (Payment Instructions)
3. Send your OPT Request form and proof of payment to OIP@uttyler.edu.
4. Create a USCIS Online Account.
5. Gather and scan all required documents.
6. Digital 2x2 color passport photo with white background
   1. A scan of your passport photograph page
   2. A scan copy of your visa
   3. A scan of the front and back of any previous EAD cards (if applicable)
   4. A digital copy of your I-20 with pre-completion OPT recommendation.
      1. Must be issued within the last 30 days for post-completion OPT.
      2. The I-20 must be signed by an advisor at OIP and by you.
   5. Your most recent form I-94.
      1. https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
      2. Select “Get Most Recent Form I-94”
   6. File your I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Online. Click the blue “File Online” button.