International Student Services | OPT application process and requirements

OPT application process and requirements

You are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to watch and review the following guides for OPT before starting your application.

Watch and review the.
Video tutorial for the.
Filing for OPT online - PDF guide.

Important notes to remember!

Steps 1 to 5 of the OPT application process with ISGSS takes approximately 14 business days, not including weekends and holidays.
Students who apply for post-completion OPT and then fail to graduate on the date indicated in their application risk violating their visa status, could forfeit their OPT opportunity, and will not get a refund of the $470 fee. They will also not be eligible for STEM OPT if they are not able to withdraw the OPT application in time.
DO NOT submit a request for post-completion OPT until you are sure of your graduation date.
DO NOT pay or submit your application to USCIS until you receive a new I-20 with OPT Recommendation from the Office of International Student and Global Scholar Services. This I-20 must be included in your application to USCIS.

STEPS ON HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR I-20 WITH OPT RECOMMENDATION

STEP 1: Academic Advisor Recommendation Form.

The first step on the OPT application process is to work with your Academic Advisor to complete the OPT academic advisor recommendation form.
If compliant, your Academic Advisor will sign the form and inform our office.
Please wait for a confirmation email from ISGSS that includes your OPT Academic Advisor Recommendation Form, signed by your Academic Advisor, and a link to the online ISGSS Post Completion OPT Application Form before proceeding with the next steps.
Once you receive the signed Academic Advisor Form from ISGSS, please proceed to Step 2.

STEP 2: Create a USCIS account and start your online I-765, application for employment authorization.

Go to and create your USCIS online account (only if you have not made an account already).

Use a personal email address when creating the account.
Do not use your 蘑菇视频 email address when creating the account.
If you already have an USCIS account, proceed to STEP 2b.

When the USCIS account is created, you will need to start entering information to start your I-765 Employment Authorization Application so that you can generate a snapshot/draft of the form I-765 that is one of the required application documents. Once you have created a draft/snapshot of the form I-765, proceed to STEP 3.

Review the online application guide linked above.

STEP 3: Requesting an I-20 with OPT Recommendation

Before receiving the I-20 with OPT Recommendation from our office, you must fill out and upload ALL the required documents below using the online *ISGSS Post-Completion OPT Application Form.

*Post completion OPT application form link will only be available to students who received a confirmation email from the ISGSS office.

You must have ALL of the following documents ready before starting the form. Please note that incomplete documents will not be approved/ reviewed.

OPT Academic Advisor Recommendation Form (see STEP 1)
Form I-765 (draft snapshot from your online application 鈥� see STEP 2b)
Copy(s) of your previous I-20s that have CPT or OPT authorization (only if you had prior CPT/OPT)
Copy of your valid passport & visa
Copy of your most recent I-94
Passport style photos (not older than 30 days)..
EAD Card (only if you have an EAD card before)

STEP 4: Reviewing your documents.

ISGSS will review your documents and will contact you with any required changes or updates.
When everything is complete, your documents will be assigned to a DSO for processing and then ISGSS will send you an email containing your new I-20 with OPT Recommendation.
This process usually takes 5 working days (only if your documents are correct/ complete).

STEP 5: Final review, submission, and payment.

After receiving the I-20 with OPT Recommendation from ISGSS:

An ISGSS DSO will email you attaching your I-20 with OPT Recommendation.
You should then print and sign your I-20 in ink.
Scan and upload your signed I-20 with OPT Recommendation under the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status section in the USCIS online application.
Once you upload all requirements, you can now pay and submit your application.

>NOTE: USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the time the I-20 was issued for OPT recommendation or it will be DENIED.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

蘑菇视频’s International Student & Global Scholar Services (ISGSS) Office offers guidance on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and OPT STEM processes as a courtesy to our students. We make every attempt to ensure that we provide you with the most up to date information available. However, any advice provided to you by our office does not constitute legal advice. You should always independently check all deadlines, and all OPT and STEM OPT application documents for accuracy before mailing them or submitting them online to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The OPT and STEM OPT application is a personal application for which you are responsible. The application preparation and USCIS case decision will vary depending on the facts at issue in your particular case. While ISGSS exercises best efforts to provide you with the most current guidance, please be aware that USCIS may change its interpretation of applicable policies, procedures, regulations, and eligibility requirements at any time. ISGSS is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims liability for, any errors or omissions relating to your OPT and STEM OPT application and any decisions made by USCIS. For legal advice, students are encouraged to consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney at their own expense.