🔺 r/f1visaudothd7868·41 days ago
Using pre-completion OPT because of the CPT suspension — bad idea?
I already received an offer from my company to continue my internship this fall, and I also have verbal offers to continue through winter and spring. But with the recent CPT suspension, I won’t be able to join them this fall. I’m trying to plan for the worst-case scenario because I’m worried that not only CPT, but OPT in general could become more restrictive going forward. I want to be prepared for the possibility that I may eventually have to return to my home country. On top of that, I have to travel to my home country for a family matter and will be re-entering the U.S. after September 15, so I’ll also have to file for an extension of stay (EOS). So assuming the worst-case scenario — that either my future OPT or EOS gets denied and I end up having to return home — I’m wondering if it would make sense to use pre-completion OPT now so I can at least get some additional U.S. work experience while I still can. I know using pre-completion OPT would reduce the amount of post-completion OPT available to me, which is why this feels pretty risky. But given all the uncertainty right now, would you consider using pre-completion OPT in this situation, or would you preserve the full post-com…