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International Student and Scholar Services

How do I Apply for OPT?

Step 1 - Determine if You are Eligible

Read through the information in this section of the website and determine if you are eligible for OPT. If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible for OPT or have questions about the application process, you can see Express Advising hours for ISSS on the ISSS Advising Services page.

You must apply for OPT within the appropriate filing deadlines. ISSS highly recommends that you apply early because processing time can take 1-4 months. There is a very useful Planning Tool for Post-Completion OPT (recommended browser: Internet Explorer) located on the Study in the States website, which can help you determine your filing deadlines.

Step 2 - Choose Your OPT Start Date

You choose when your OPT work authorization will begin. The Planning Tool for Post-Completion OPT (recommended browser: Internet Explorer) can also assist you with determining your OPT start date.

  • Applying early does not change your range of start date options. You can apply early and still choose a later start date.
  • Your OPT start date must be within 60 days of the end of the semester (as listed on the University Academic Calendar) or your GA contract end date (whichever is later).
  • If you already have a job offer, you can make the start date match the start date of your job.
  • If you do not have a job offer, then choosing this date can be tricky. You need to make your best estimate as to when you will likely begin employment.
  • This date cannot be changed later.

Step 3 - Submit an OPT Request to ISSS in the ISSS Portal

You will need to submit this request in order to recieve your new OPT I-20 document from ISSS.

  • Your Academic Advisor should be listed as the "Approver" at the bottom of your OPT request . They will be notified that you submitted an OPT request and will need to submit their approver form.
    • For graduate students, your approver will be your graduate coordinator which can be found here
    • For undergraduate students, your primary advisor can be found in the Success Team page in your My.IllinoisState account.
  • After your Academic Advisor submits their approver form, you will see the status of your OPT request change to "Submitted". That is how you know your request has been officially submitted to ISSS for processing. You can always check the status of your request within the ISSS Portal.
  • ISSS will review your OPT request within 10 business days and issue you a new I-20 document that reflects our recommendation for OPT and lists your requested employment dates on page 2.
    • The OPT status on your I-20 will say Requested. ISSS will not provide you with an updated I-20 that says Pending or Approved unless you make an update to your employer information.

Step 4 - Create a USCIS Online Account and Get Started on Your I-765

F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) can file Form I-765 online. To file online, you must first create a USCIS online account at https://myaccount.uscis.gov/. This free account allows you to submit your I-765 form online, pay the application fee, track your case status, communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox, and respond to Requests for Evidence.

While you are waiting for ISSS to process your OPT request , you can begin filling out your I-765 online. Just be sure you DO NOT SUBMIT the I-765 until you receive your new OPT I-20 from ISSS. Your new I-20 must be uploaded to your I-765.

ISSS highly recommends you review the Tips for Filing Online section below as you are completing the online I-765.

Step 5 - Gather Your I-765 OPT Application Materials

For full details of what is required for your OPT application, please visit the USCIS website. The following list of application materials is provided for your convenience and is not meant to replace the official instructions listed on the USCIS website.

  • Form I-765 filing fee (this must be submitted using a credit card, debit card, or ACH withdrawal from a U.S. checking or savings account)
  • One passport-size photo taken within the last 30 days
    • You cannot reuse an old visa or passport photo.
    • The travel.state.gov website has a useful Photo Tool that can help verify that your photo meets USCIS requirements.
  • Digital copy of Employment Authorization Document (EAD card; front and back) or government ID
    • If you were not previously issued an EAD card, you must upload a government ID. In most cases, this is your passport.
  • I-94 Record - This record changes every time you reenter the U.S. Make sure you have the most recent copy.
  • Digital copies of any previously issued OPT/CPT I-20 documents
    • You must upload any previously issued I-20s showing CPT or OPT authorization (on page 2). This includes I-20s from any previous U.S. schools you have attended.
  • Digital copy of your new OPT I-20 document (see Step 6)
    • You must upload a digital version of your OPT I-20 issued by ISSS. Make sure you have signed your I-20 before uploading.

Step 6 - Sign Your New I-20 from ISSS

You will be notified via email when your new OPT I-20 is ready. Your I-20 will be uploaded digitally in the Control Center (Documents section) of your ISSS Portal. You must print and sign your new I-20 (in ink).

Step 7 - Submit Your I-765 OPT Application Online

See the Tips for Filing Online section below for important details before you submit. Make sure your application is complete and accurate before paying the fee and submitting.

You must submit your I-765 OPT application to USCIS within 30 days from when ISSS updated your SEVIS record to show our recommendation for OPT (in most cases, this is the date we signed your OPT I-20 document) OR within 60 days from your I-20 program end date (whichever is sooner).

ISSS highly recommends that you file online. If you prefer to send a paper application, you can refer to the OPT Application Checklist and the I-765 Direct Filing Addresses page of the USCIS website to find the appropriate address to use.

Premium Processing

Premium processing (Form I-907) provides expedited processing for certain USCIS forms. For an additional fee, you may apply for premium processing while initially filing for OPT or while the application is pending. If properly filed, premium processing gurantees USCIS will take adjudicative action on your I-765 within 30 calendar days. This means that within 30 calendar days USCIS will take one of the following actions on your case:

  • issue an approval notice
  • issue a denial notice
  • issue a notice of intent to deny
  • issue a request for evidence
  • open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation

IMPORTANT: Premium processing does not guarantee your EAD card will be produced and arrive within the 30-day deadline.

  • The 30-calendar-day premium processing timeframe does not include the time it takes to produce your EAD.
  • After USCIS approves your Form I-765, your EAD should be produced within one to two weeks.
  • When your card arrives will vary depending on USPS delivery times.

Tips For Filing Online

ISSS will not review I-765 applications as you as the applicant are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of your application. These tips are provided for your convenience. They should not be viewed as legal advice and are not meant to replace the official instructions listed on the USCIS website.

Getting Started

  • What is your eligibility category? - Choose (c)(3)(B) Student Post-Completion OPT
  • What is your reason for applying? - Choose "Initial permission for employment"
  • Have you previously filed Form I-765? - Only choose "Yes" to this question if you have previously filed with USCIS for an EAD card

About You

  • What is your current U.S. mailing address? - Enter a U.S. mailing address that will remain VALID for the next 1-4 months. If you do not have an address that will remain valid, you can enter the address of a family member or friend and enter their name in the "In Care Of Name" field. You can list a U.S. Post Office address (P.O. box) as your mailing address if that is how you receive your mail.
  • In care of name (if any) - Your name should not be entered into this field. Only fill out this field if you have entered the address of a family member or friend as your current U.S. mailing address.
  • Place of Arrival - Your "Place of Arrival" is the location where you officially went through customs. You can find this by looking at your most recent entry stamp or your Travel History from the I-94 website.
  • What is your travel document number (if any) - You can leave this field blank.
  • What is your A-Number - Most students filing OPT will not have an A-Number. Your A-Number is listed as the USCIS# on the front of your most recently issued EAD card.
  • What is your USCIS Online Account Number? - If this is your first time filing an online form with USCIS, you will not have a USCIS Account Number yet.

Evidence

  • Employment Authorization Document or Government ID - If you were not previously issued an EAD card, you must upload a government ID. In most cases, this is your passport.
  • Previously authorized CPT or OPT - Upload any previously issued I-20s showing CPT or OPT authorization. You can see any previous OPT/CPT on page 2 of your I-20s. This includes I-20s from any previous U.S. schools you have attended. Make sure to upload both page 1 & 2 of each I-20 document. If you have never been authorized for CPT or OPT in the past, then you should leave this upload empty.
  • Form I-20 - Upload a digital version of your OPT I-20 issued by ISSS (from Step 4 above). Make sure YOU have signed the I-20 document before uploading. Your signature must be a wet signature and cannot be a digital signature. Make sure to upload both page 1 & 2 of your I-20 document.

Additional Information

  • Use this section to explain, clarify, or elaborate on your responses or the documents you uploaded as evidence.
    • Previous SEVIS IDs: If you have had other SEVIS ID numbers in the past, enter them in this section and include the level of study (Bachelor's, Master's, or Phd) and whether you were authorized for any CPT or OPT under that SEVIS ID number.

Review and Submit

  • Review your application carefully for completeness and accuracy before submitting. It is your responsibility, as the applicant, to ensure the accuracy and completeness of your I-765 application.
  • Before paying the application fee, confirm you are still within the 30-day window after the date your OPT I-20 was issued. Do not submit if you are outside of this window and contact ISSS immediately.
  • Remember: You must submit your I-765 OPT application to USCIS within 30 days from when ISSS updated your SEVIS record to show our recommendation for OPT (in most cases, this is the date we signed your OPT I-20 document) OR within 60 days from your I-20 program end date (whichever is sooner).
  • Once your payment has been processed, your application will be considered submitted, and you cannot make any further edits.
  • Immediately after submtting your application, you will be able to click on "Go to my cases" and click on the "Documents" tab to view your Receipt Notice.