Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree candidates who have completed all course requirements for their degree except for a thesis, dissertation, or equivalent requirement may either apply for pre-completion OPT or post-completion OPT while completing the thesis/dissertation.
Pre-completion OPT | Post-completion OPT |
|---|---|
May request either part time or full time work | May work full time. |
Not eligible for the cap-gap extension of OPT | Eligible for the cap-gap extension of OPT |
May not apply for the STEM extension from a period of pre-completion OPT | May apply for the STEM extension if otherwise eligible |
Not subject to the 90-day unemployment provisions | Subject to the 90-day unemployment provisions |
May receive a program extension | Not eligible for a program extension |
The application process is the same. Do not submit your application to the USCIS until you have received an updated "OPT" I-20 from ISSS.