Optional Practical Training (OPT)

All OPT applications must be made through the Center for Global Education.  You must have attended an OPT workshop within the last academic year (previous semester or this semester) to be eligible to apply for OPT.

Upcoming OPT Workshop Dates & Registration

After you have attended a workshop, and if you will be in the eligible time window to apply for OPT, please complete our request form for an OPT I-20 appointment. You cannot apply for OPT without an updated I-20 that includes an OPT recommendation.

OPT I-20 Appointment Request form

You have two options for filing an OPT application. You can mail your materials to USCIS, or you can submit your application online using a USCIS online account. You cannot apply for OPT if you have not received an I-20 from ISS that contains your OPT recommendation.

The instructions on this tab relate to mailing applications.

1) I-765 form – please review our suggested guidelines on completing the form. Make sure you are using the most recent version of the form by downloading it directly from the USCIS website. The form is updated frequently, so double-check you have the most recent form before mailing your application.

Form I-765 & instructions

Our suggested guidelines for completing the I-765

Do not complete the form by hand – type in the answer using pdf software (USCIS recommends using Adobe Acrobat). No part of your signature on the I-765 should be touching or outside the signature box, as this may cause your application to be rejected.

2) Photocopy of your passport and visa

3) Print out of your I-94

Retrieve your I-94

4) Photocopies of any previous I-20s (particularly those with any CPT authorizations or prior OPT)

5) I-20 endorsed for OPT (obtained through ISS after attending an OPT workshop)

6) Photocopies of any previous Employment Authorization Documents (EAD)

7) Two passport photos (less than 30 days old). Photo size and format can be found on pages 20-21 on the I-765 instructions from USCIS.

8) Application fee: $410 check or money order made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”. No biometric fee is required for OPT. Please note that the application fee is due to increase to $550 (this is currently being challenged through a legal process). It’s very important to pay the correct fee amount, so double check the USCIS website for latest fee amounts before you mail your application in case it has changed.

Check the latest fee amounts

9) Completed G-1145 form – this will provide you with email/text notification of your application’s arrival at USCIS

G-1145 form

IMPORTANT: Your application must be received by USCIS within 30 days of your OPT-endorsed I-20 being made by the ISS office.

We recommend that you use a mail service with tracking, so that you can independently confirm the timely arrival of your OPT application with USCIS. It’s important to confirm the mailing address directly on the USCIS website the day you mail your application. You should look for the address for “Foreign Students” and then “F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT).”

The mailing address can change without notice.

Confirm current USCIS mailing address

You have two options for filing an OPT application. You can mail your materials to USCIS, or you can submit your application online using a USCIS online account. The instructions on this tab relate to filing online. You cannot apply for OPT if you have not received an I-20 from ISS that contains your OPT recommendation.

Note: online filing is a very new option. Aspects of the online I-765 form may continue to be updated and adjusted by USCIS. If you have experience that you would like to share about the online filing experience, or any feedback or suggested edits for our suggestions listed here, please contact us.

To file online you will need to set up a USCIS online account.

Set up your USCIS account

As you move through the application you will be prompted about which documents you will need to upload. However, you should be ready to provide uploads and information from the following documents:

1. I-94 showing F/1 status
2. Passport photo page
3. Visa stamp page (unless you do not have a visa). It is OK if your visa has expired.
4. OPT-endorsed I-20
5. Any prior I-20s that have CPT or prior OPT
6. Color photos – exact instructions for the photos are also available within the form. Photos are accepted in jpeg, jpg or png format. We recommend using the Photo Tool on that website to check your photo meets requirements.

The following guidelines relate to the most confusing parts of the form, and are offered as a courtesy only. Please consult an immigration attorney if you are unsure about any aspects of the form.

Click on “File a Form Online” and then select “Application for Employment Authorization (I-765)”.

You will be filing under (c)(3)(B) Student Post-Completion OPT eligibility category. The STEM extension option is only applicable to students who are already participating in their 1-year of post-completion OPT, and applying to extend their OPT work authorization.

Select “Initial permission to accept employment”

Name: enter it as listed in your passport

Mailing address: your EAD card will be delivered via postal mail. It is important to use a mailing address that will be reliable for the next four months. If it is a friend’s address then make sure to add their name to the “In care of name” field of the form. If your mailing address changes before your OPT is approved then you must inform USCIS directly otherwise you may not receive your EAD.

Physical address: enter the address where you are currently living, if it is different from your mailing address. It is OK if this changes when your OPT application is pending.

Travel document: if you have a passport then you it is unlikely that you will have a travel document

A-number: if you have never applied for OPT before, you may not have an A number. If you have done OPT before then type the A-number (USCIS number) from your OPT EAD card

Social Security Number (SSN): if you do not have an SSN then you can apply for one as part of this I-765 application. The card should arrive 2-3 weeks after your OPT is approved. If you have an SSN then you do not need to apply for a new card via the I-765, unless you have lost the card

Employment Authorization Document or Government ID upload: we recommend you upload the biographical page of your passport, and your visa stamp (if applicable) into this section

I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status upload: upload your OPT-endorsed I-20. Make sure you have signed the I-20 – in ink – in the student certification section. Student signatures on an I-20 that are electronic (typed or other digital formats) are not accepted by USCIS. It must be less than 30 days since the OPT recommendation was made on your I-20. Contact ISS if you are applying more than 30 days since your OPT was recommended.

Additional information: in most cases no additional information is needed in this field

Address any alerts or warnings and double check all data before moving to the application fee payment. Once your fee has been paid you will not be able to return to edit the form. The application fee can be paid by credit or debit card.

You should receive an electronic receipt notice by email shortly after you pay the fee and your form submits. A paper receipt notice should follow in the mail within a few weeks. If you do not receive the paper notice in the mail then you should follow up with USCIS. Non-delivery of your receipt notice is an indication that there may be a mail issue that could later affect your EAD delivery.