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Employment

F-1 off-campus employment

Pre-OPT

Pre-OPT is a work benefit opportunity to gain off-campus work experience and is requested to be used before the completion of a degree program.

F-1 students are eligible for a total of 12 months of OPT per degree program. Those 12 months can be used while earning your degree (Pre-OPT), after earning your degree (Post-OPT), or a combination of both (Pre- and Post-OPT).

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Maintenance of F-1 status for a minimum of one academic year in a degree program.
  • Students must maintain the full-time enrollment requirements while on Pre-OPT.
  • Employment must be directly related to your field of study.

Conditions:

  • It is not necessary to have a job when you apply for Pre-OPT as USCIS does not require proof of employment when you apply for Pre-OPT.
  • Any approved Pre-OPT will be deducted from your available 12 months of OPT time: accrued at half the rate when used during the semester, in full when used during the summer break when requested at full time. 
  • Example: Four months of approved part-time Pre-OPT subtracts 2 months of available OPT while 2 months of approved full-time Pre-OPT subtracts 2 months of available OPT.
  • Students may work up to 20 hours per week during the semester (part-time) and up to 40 hours per week during summer break (full-time).
  • Graduate students who have completed all course requirements (including all required thesis or dissertation hours), but will be in a continuous registration course until their defense date, may apply for Pre-OPT and will be authorized to work up to 40 hours per week.
  • A separate application and fee must be submitted for each semester.
  • You are not authorized to work or volunteer until the start date printed on your EAD card, and you have received the card in the mail.
  • Unemployment time is not a factor during Pre-OPT. However, reporting employment through the Pre-OPT Employment Update eForm through the ISSC eForm Portal is required. 

If 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) have been used, the student will not be eligible for Pre-OPT or Post-OPT.

 

To allow for the 7-day ISSC processing time and the 90-day USCIS processing time, ASU ISSC recommends applying for Pre-OPT at least 97 days prior to the date you wish your employment authorization to begin. This will maximize your opportunity to receive your EAD card on time.

The ISSC processing time is up to 7 business days, which does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests.

Pre-OPT recommended I-20s will be issued no more than 90 days prior to the recommended Pre-OPT start date.
We recommend that you attend an OPT Information Session prior to beginning the application process.

1. Submit Pre-OPT e-Form to ISSC

Submit your application materials to the ISSC through the Pre-OPT I-20 Request eForm through the ISSC eForm Portal no more than 97 days prior to your employment start date.  ISSC will release your I-20 on or after the 90th day prior to your employment start date.  

Please have the following materials ready prior to submitting the e-Form:

  • Copy of biographical page of passport (page with your picture on it) valid at least six months into the future (NOT your visa).
  • Copy of recent I-94 arrival record (NOT your travel history).
  • Copy of the front and back of prior EAD cards at your current degree program level (if applicable).

Please allow the ISSC approximately 7 days to process your Pre-OPT request.

The ISSC cannot process your Pre-OPT request until AFTER your academic advisor has approved the eForm. Any delay in your academic advisor’s approval is NOT part of the ISSC’s 7-day processing time; please plan ahead.

2. Receive your Pre-OPT I-20 from ISSC

  • USCIS will reject applications received prior to the 90th day before the student’s employment start date. If the ISSC receives your eForm too early, your I-20 will be held and ready at or after the 90th day
  • You will receive an email notification from the ISSC with your new Pre-OPT I-20 and instructions attached. 
  • If you would like a paper copy of your Pre-OPT I-20, please review our Receiving Documents webpage for more information

You must review the information within your I-20 for accuracy, then sign and date in blue ink.

3. Submit your Application to USCIS for Processing

After receiving your Pre-OPT I-20 from the ISSC, you will need to submit your documents to USCIS within 30 days of the date the ISSC signed your I-20 (date issued).  Applications received after the 30-day signature limit will be denied by USCIS.

There are two methods for submitting your Pre-OPT application to USCIS: online or paper. The ISSC highly recommends that you use the online method.

You must file the following documents with your application:

  • Pre-OPT application checklist (not required for online application).
  • Payment (choose one of the following):
    • For paper applications: Form G-1450 (for credit card payments), personal or cashier’s check, or money order, for $410.00 payable to "US Department of Homeland Security" (do not abbreviate).
  • For online applications: Online applications must use Pay.gov to securely submit payment via credit card or checking/savings account.
  • Form G-1145 (not required for online application).
  • Form I-765
    • For paper applications: USCIS frequently updates this form which changes the edition (date).  Your application will be rejected or denied if you use the incorrect form.  Before mailing your application be sure to verify that you are using the correct edition.
  • For online applications: The questions on this form will be asked throughout the online application process.
  • A copy of pages 1 and 2 of new I-20 signed by DSO and student (do not include F2 dependent I-20s).
  • Copy of recent I-94 arrival record (NOT your travel history).
  • Copy of the front and back of prior EAD cards at the current program level (if applicable).
  • Copy of biographical page of passport (page with your picture on it) valid at least six months into the future (NOT your visa).
  • Two passport-style photos (2” x 2”) 
    • For paper applications: Name and I-94 admission number should be written lightly on back in pencil placed in a small envelope.

Carefully follow all instructions provided to you when submitting your application materials to USCIS, and keep copies of all completed applications for your personal records. If you have a job offer letter from a company, you may include it with your application, but it is NOT required (add the letter at the end of your packet for USCIS). 

For a comprehensive step by step review of your Pre-OPT packet enroll in the Self-Guided Pre-OPT Packet Review Canvas course.

If you are interested in Premium Processing for your application, please visit the USCIS Premium Processing webpage for details.

Discounted optional shipping through eShipGlobal

Tips for Avoiding Application Rejections, Denials, Delays, and Receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS:

  • DO NOT submit your application to USCIS prior to 90 days before your requested Pre-OPT start date. USCIS will cash your payment and deny your application if it is received prior to 90 days before your Pre-OPT start date.
  • USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the date the ISSC signed your I-20 (date issued). If your application will not make it to USCIS within 30 days, you must return to ISSC for a new I-20.
  • Print, sign and date your OPT I-20 in blue ink.
  • Paper submission only:
    • Sign and date Form I-765 in black ink.
    • Do not staple anything, bind your entire application packet with one clip.
    • Fill out a personal check or money order, including the date, payable to the US Department of Homeland Security and write the amount in numbers ($410.00) and words (Four hundred ten dollars and 00/100), and sign it. Add your I-94 admission number in the “Memo:” or “For:” line on your check (bottom left), or somewhere appropriate on the money order.
    • Follow the mailing instructions and checklist provided by the ISSC.
    • The United States Postal Service (USPS/ “the post office”) will not forward EAD cards. If you are moving, you must update your address within 10 days by:
  • If you filed a paper application and have not received your receipt notice within 30 days, please email lockboxsupport@uscis.dhs.gov and include the tracking information of your delivery confirmation.

If for any reason you receive a Rejection, Denial, or a Request for Evidence (RFE) Notice from USCIS, or if you receive your application materials back from the postal/shipping service, DO NOT resend the materials. Inform ISSC by completing the OPT/STEM USCIS Notice Upload eForm for further advisement.

Receiving your receipt notice and EAD card

Please remember, USCIS processes and approves your application, NOT ASU, therefore, contact USCIS (1-800-375-5283) regarding application issues and/or delays. They cannot change requested start/end dates nor can they change your completion dates. Once submitted, the only way to edit anything will be to request USCIS to withdraw your case. You MUST speak with an ISSC advisor prior to requesting application withdraw from USCIS.

If you submit Form G-1145, you will receive notification of application arrival (i.e., Receipt Notice) via text and/or email within 72 hours, and you will also receive a paper Notice of Action (i.e., receipt notice) from USCIS within four weeks of filing. If you filed online, you will receive your receipt notice and receipt number instantly through myUSCIS upon submission of your application. You will receive your EAD Card approximately two weeks after USCIS approves your application.

  • The receipt number printed on the receipt notice or the text or email will allow you to track your application’s progress using USCIS’s website.
  • If you filed a paper application and have not received your receipt notice within 30 days, please email lockboxsupport@uscis.dhs.gov and include the tracking information of your delivery confirmation.
  • It takes approximately 90 days to process a Pre-OPT application. You may check the USCIS website for current processing times. If your application is taking longer than the posted processing time, you may request an expedite also at the USCIS website.
  • If your application is still processing after their currently posted processing times, you may submit a case inquiry with USCIS regarding their delay in processing times.
  • The United States Postal Service (USPS/ “the post office”) will not forward EAD cards. If you are moving, you must update your address within 10 days by:
  • If you would like to withdraw your application, you should visit or contact the ISSC immediately so we can provide you further immigration advisement. The situation becomes critical as you approach the completion date listed on your I-20.  Withdrawing is not always guaranteed. Approval of withdrawal will depend on the time frame of the request, including USCIS’s 45-60 days to process your request. The $410 filing fee is non-refundable.

Maintaining status while on Pre-OPT:

  • DO NOT work until you receive your EAD card, or before or beyond the dates authorized on your EAD card (this includes volunteering and unpaid internships).
  • Check your My ASU account and ASU email regularly for immigration updates.
  • Submit a copy of the EAD card by submitting the Pre-OPT EAD Upload eForm through the ISSC eForm Portal
  • Report your employment status by submitting the Pre-OPT Employment Update eForm through the ISSC eForm Portal. Unemployment time is not a factor during Pre-OPT. However, reporting employment is still required.
  • Review the accuracy of your name and the dates on the EAD Card and report any discrepancies to the ISSC immediately by email to issc.employment@asu.edu.
  • You must keep all original I-20s and all your prior immigration documents indefinitely, for possible use in the future. The ISSC does not retain the student’s original I-20s.
  • Report any changes in name, address, employer’s name and address, and updated status or interruption of employment in My ASU within 10 days.

What’s the difference between Pre-OPT and OPT/Post-OPT? 

OPT is a benefit of F-1 students. Each F-1 student gets 12 months of OPT for each degree level. They can use OPT before the degree completion (Pre-OPT), after the degree completion (Post-OPT), or combine Pre-OPT and Post-OPT to make the total 12 months of OPT. For this calculation, use 50% of the actual period for part-time Pre-OPT; 100 days of part-time Pre-OPT period will deduct 50 days from 12 months of OPT Period.

Can I do overtime when I have full-time Pre-OPT? 

Under the regulations, part-time Pre-OPT authorizes work for 20 hours per week or less, and full-time Pre-OPT allows work for more than 20 hours per week. The regulations do not state a maximum number of working hours per week. Thus, overtime is possible. However, we recommend that our students keep any overtime to a minimum. The primary activity while on an F-1 visa should be to study. Work should not delay the degree completion.

What is the difference between CPT and Pre-OPT? 

CPT is a work authorization that allows you to participate in an off campus internship as part of your curriculum. The authorization is processed through the ISSC after all academic unit processes have been completed. Pre-OPT is a benefit F-1 students may participate in. The process is completed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after ISSC’s recommendation based on your academic unit’s endorsement. Can I accrue unemployment days during the Pre-OPT period? No. Until the degree completion date, study is the F-1 students’ primary activity. Pre-OPT is simply an extra-curricular activity.

Can I do Pre-OPT and on-campus work at the same time? 

There is not a regulation to prohibit having an on-campus job while working on the Pre-OPT authorization.  However, it is important to remember that studying should be your primary activity while in F-1 status.  We do not recommend any activities that may lessen your focus on your academic studies and possibly hinder your academic progress.

What types of work are permitted during Pre-OPT? 

As long as work is directly related to your major, you can work. Paid employment/internship, work for hire, self-employed, employment through an agency or consulting firm, unpaid employment/internship. Multiple employers are also permitted as long as you comply with the authorized work hours (Part-time 20 hours or less per week; full-time more than 20 hours per week).

 

Workshops

Attending the F-1 Student Webinar Series workshops on employment authorizations will assist you in understanding the eligibility requirements and application process of obtaining employment authorizations while on an F-1 student visa.

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled time, don’t worry. These workshops will be posted to the ISSC YouTube channel.

Jobs, volunteer opportunities, internships

 

Your college may also have a career and professional development service.

Optional Practical Training

(Pre-OPT | Post-OPT | STEM OPT Extension)

Case Management Payment 

Applies to Post-OPT and STEM OPT Extension only.

The OPT Case Management Payment covers the cost of SEVIS reporting compliance and record management for students participating in Optional Practical Training. ISSC will continue to maintain your SEVIS record and provide immigration and advising support.  Support includes biographical changes, address updates, dependent document requests, employer and employment information and updates, travel signatures and I-20 form.

Pay Post-OPT

Pay STEM OPT

Refunds will be considered under the following conditions:

  • Case Management Payment was paid in error  
  • ISSC determines that student is ineligible
  • Application is cancelled by the student prior to the issuance I-20

To request a refund please email issc.employment@asu.edu.

Application Tutorials

Self-Guided Pre-OPT Packet Review

Self-Guided Post-OPT Packet Review

Self-Guided STEM Extension Packet Review

Self-Guided Form I-983 Review 

Government Resources

MyUSICS: Students can now submit their applications online through myUSCIS eliminating the possibility of lost or delayed mail and allowing immediate access to all USCIS notices. Visit our main employment web page for the latest USCIS updates.

Form I-765 (Pre-OPT | Post-OPT | STEM OPT Extension)

Form I-983 (STEM OPT Extension only)

USCIS Ombudsman

SEVP Portal Student User Guide

SEVP Portal Overview