Pre-Optional Practical Training - Before Completion of a Course of Study
To be eligible for pre-completion optional practical training you must:
- Have held student status for at least one academic year.
- Currently be maintaining a full-time program of study and valid F-1 status.
- Intend to work in a job directly related to your course of study.
If you meet these eligibility requirements, you may have pre-completion optional practical training authorized in any of the following circumstances:
- During the school year: in this case, optional practical training will be authorized for only 20 hours per week and the period authorized will be deducted from your 12-month total at a rate of one half month for each month authorized (all part-time optional practical training authorization will be counted in this way).
- During vacation periods: in this case, optional practical training authorization may be either part-time or full-time.
You do not have to have a job offer in order to have pre-completion optional practical training approved. In most cases, however, you will not want to apply without a job offer because periods of optional practical training cannot be rescinded once authorized. If you have a period of optional practical training authorized but do not work, that period is still deducted from your 12-month total.
Application and Authorization Procedures:
To apply for optional practical training before completion of a course of study you must bring to the Office of Foreign Students & Scholars:
- A recommendation form signed by academic advisor and Office of Graduate Studies (graduate students only).
- Completed Forms I-765. (Please Read the instruction before printing or filling the form)
- All Form I-20's (including I-20's from other institutions), passport and your I-94 card.
- A personal check or money order for $340 made payable to Department of Homeland Security.
- Two passport type photos.
- Employment letter (if offer has been made).
After you have all of the above, call (302)831-2115 to schedule an appointment with Mary Politakis.
After reviewing these documents to determine your eligibility for practical training, OFSS will endorse the back of your Form I-20 recommending the requested period of part-time or full-time optional practical training. Your application will then be submitted by mail to the USCIS in Vermont and the EAD will be mailed to you.
Please note that your practical training application is not approved until you have your photo Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and that the wait may be as long as 90 days. Any optional practical training employment you have before receiving your EAD is illegal employment that renders you illegally present in the United States.