Post-Completion OPT: Steps to Apply

• Passport style photograph [Photos must be taken within the last 30 days and cannot have previously been used for a passport, visa, or other US government-related application.]
• I-94 record (click get most recent)
• Valid passport showing your photo, name, and date of birth OR previously issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD) (scans of both front and back) 
• Most recent I-20
• Draft of Completed Form I-765 (see Sample Form for suggestions for completing)
• If you have previously been approved for CPT or OPT, you MUST submit copies of all I-20s that list CPT/OPT authorization
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD) showing both front and back only if you have previously been approved for OPT

APPLY FOR OPT

If you submit everything that is required, your International Student Advisor will:

• Formally recommend your OPT Application in the SEVIS system
• Issue and email you a new I-20 showing that your OPT has been formally recommended
• Email you with any suggested changes and the suggested order you should send the documents in.

To successfully e-file the I-765, you must have all documents listed under Step 1 AND your new OPT Recommended I-20 from your International Student Advisor*applications typically take three to five months to process

• Create a USCIS Account (or Sign In To Existing Account) 
• Select Application for Employment Authorization (I-765) after logging in
  • It is near the bottom of the form list. 
• Complete the I-765 Form 
  • Use your previous I 765 (the one that your International Student Advisor reviewed) as a draft and make any changes needed as you proceed with filing.
• Required Payment: you must pay the associated fee to file form I-765 and apply for OPT*applications typically take three to five months to process
  • Currently the fee is set to $410 but it subject to change at anytime. You can find the most up to date fee information here at the USCIS site.

• Optional Payment for Premium processing: USCIS offers an expedited option, called Premium Processing, for an additional fee of $1,500.

  • For students who choose this option and pay the fee, USCIS guarantees that within 30 days it will issue either an approval, a denial or a request for more information about the student’s application.

  • To apply for Premium Processing, include the following with your OPT application:

    • Completed Form I-907 (www.uscis.gov/i-907)
    • Separate payment for $1,500 (You will need to provide two separate payments with your application: one for the OPT application fee and the other for the Premium Processing fee)
• Review and Submit: Here you will review all of the information you have provided so far and you will then click to submit your I-765 online application.
• You cannot begin employment during the time you wait for your application to be approved.

• The Form I-797C "Notice of Action" (receipt) will be mailed and/or emailed to the address you provide on Form I-765. This receipt indicates the date your application was received by USCIS and includes a receipt number that allows you to track the status of your application online.
• The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Form I-797 Approval Notice is evidence that you have been approved for post completion OPT.
  • It should be received within 60-90 (average normal processing time) of the receipt date listed on the receipt notice.
  • If you have not received the EAD within the normal processing time, you may follow up with USCIS by calling the number listed on your receipt notice.
• Submit a copy of the front and back of your EAD to your International Student Advisor as soon as you receive it so we can ensure the details match your SEVIS record
  • Keep your EAD card in a safe place and treat it as you would your passport
  • If you lose your EAD card, you cannot work until after you receive a replacement card
  • It can take 3-5 months to replace a lost EAD card and the process is like reapplying for OPT all over again (including paying the $410 fee) so be very careful not to lose it!