F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Source: https://isss.illinois.edu/students/employment/f1-opt/ Parent: https://isss.illinois.edu/

International Student and Scholar Services now offers our OPT workshop online. You can access the pre-recorded workshop on Media Space or by using the button below. The workshop lasts approximately 20-30 minutes.

OPT Online Workshop

Maintaining Status on OPT

Still have questions after watching the online workshop? We’ve got answers! Join Express Advising sessions online! Visit the ISSS calendar for the full list of sessions offered.

IMPORTANT!

• ISSS has received temporary permission to send I-20 documents electronically during this time. The OPT I-20 will be attached to the approval e-mail. Students must print off this document and sign and date it.
• The lockbox location has changed. Please check the USCIS website for the updated filing address for your OPT application.
• When applying for OPT, please only submit one OPT application, either online or through the mail. DO NOT submit both. This could result in the denial of both applications.
• You do not need to upload a separate I-765 if filing electronically. The online form serves as the I-765.
• Effective 4/3/2023, students may request premium processing through USCIS for their OPT application for an additional cost. Visit the USCIS website for full details.

What is OPT?

F-1 post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to be employed in the United States one year after completion of studies. Graduate students may apply for OPT after finishing all coursework but prior to thesis deposit and/or defense. Employment must be directly related to field of study and correspond with education level. Multiple employers are permitted; however, each position must be related to field of study and reported to ISSS. No job offer is needed to apply. However, OPT applicants are only allowed a total of 90 days unemployment during their initial 12-month OPT period.

Eligibility Requirements

• Are you completing the degree (non-thesis track) or finishing your required coursework (thesis track)
• Have you studied for a minimum of two semesters (Fall and Spring), directly prior to your completion of studies?
• Do you have a valid passport?
• Are you in valid F-1 status?
• If you have engaged in CPT employment, have you complied with all registration requirements?

Dates and Deadlines

• You may apply up to 90 days before your program end date.*
• The deadline to apply is the 60th day after your program end date.*
• You must select an OPT start date within the 60-day period after your program end date. Please note that this date is not guaranteed, as USCIS will determine the actual start date of your authorization.

• Average application processing time ranges from 90-120 days.

• *Grad students on thesis-track — the program end date is variable. Please refer to the OPT workshop and consult with ISSS if you have further questions. If you will hold an assistantship or tuition waiver, please consult the Graduate College policy BEFORE shortening your program.

The application MUST be received by USCIS within 30 days of ISSS creating a new I-20 or OPT will be denied. If it has been more than 30 days since your OPT I-20 was issued and you have not mailed off your application, please contact us. ISSS will cancel the current request. You must then complete and submit the OPT Re-request e-form through iSTART. Please do not submit a Reprint Request for this purpose.

Application Process

Please submit an OPT I-20 request e-form through iSTART to receive your new I-20 with ISSS recommendation for OPT.

OPT Request e-form

You will also need to pay the $100 OPT Management Fee before your new I-20 can be processed. Please click here to make your payment.

Assemble Documents

1. I-765 filing fee payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”. Use the USCIS Fee Calculator to determine the appropriate fee amount.

2. Always check the USCIS forms page to make sure you are using the latest form version and paying the correct fee.

3. I-765 filing fee is payable by personal check, money order OR credit card payment with use of form G-1450.
4. Two identical immigration-style photos taken within 30 days of filing Form I-765. Photos should be placed in a clear Ziploc-type bag. For more photo guidelines, please refer to the “Color Photo Specifications” section below, or visit the U.S State Department website. ISSS recommends photos be taken professionally to comply with photo regulations.
5. Copy of pages 1 and 2 of Form I-20 printed with the OPT endorsement, signed by the DSO and student on page 1.

6. Form I-765 (Please follow instructions on USCIS website. Guidelines from ISSS available below.)

7. Form I-765 Instructions also state that the applicant must use Form I-765 Part 6., Additional Information, to provide:

   1. “All previously used SEVIS numbers” and
   2. “Evidence of any previously authorized CPT or OPT and the academic level at which it was authorized.
   3. Photocopy of Form I-94 (electronic Form I-94) printout or both sides of cardstock I-94 copied).
   4. Photocopies of the following passport pages:

8. Passport ID pages: photo page, page with passport validity dates, including renewal page if original has expired, and pages showing amendments such as name changes, corrections, etc.

9. Most recent F-1 entry visa page (if any).

Optional: You may also include the optional form G-1145 e-Notification of Application to receive a confirmation that your application has been received by USCIS. This is NOT your official receipt notice.

The I-765 must be properly and timely filed with USCIS. The student must file an OPT application (signed I-765, signed I-20, and fee) within 30 days of the DSO’s OPT recommendation in SEVIS, AND within other OPT filing deadlines. You MUST apply from within the U.S.

Mailing Your Application

Please view the USCIS Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765 page for full mailing addresses. It instructs filers to submit these applications to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox, at:

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):\ U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services\ Chicago Lockbox\ Attn: I-765 C03\ P.O. Box 805373\ Chicago, IL 60680\ \ For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:\ U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services\ Attn: I-765 C03 (Box 805373)\ 131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor\ Chicago, IL 60603-5517

Note: Mail by “Certified Mail with a Return Receipt Requested” or “Express/Overnight with Delivery Confirmation.” Make photocopies of all documents you send for your records.

USCIS is now accepting I-765 OPT applications online. You can find more information about the online application on the USCIS website.

**Before sending your application, please be sure to confirm the Lockbox mailing information for your application on The USCIS Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765 page.**

Completing the I-765 (Post-Completion OPT – 12 Months)

IMPORTANT: Please make sure to use the most recent version of the form I-765.

Please follow the I-765 instructions provided on the USCIS website, particularly page 15 – 19. For your reference, please see below for general guidelines to assist you.

• Part 1.

• For the initial OPT application, this is considered to be ‘initial permission to accept employment’.

• Part 2.

• Provide basic biographical information about yourself. Note: If using a friend or relative’s address, complete Question #5.a (In Care of Name).

• Question #26 – provide your CURRENT SEVIS number, listed at the top of your I-20 document.
• Question #27 – (C)(3)(B) is the eligibility category for POST-completion OPT. You are NOT required to complete Question 28 as a result.

• Part 3.

• Don’t forget to sign within the ‘Applicant’s Signature’ box. Signature should not touch the lines or go beyond the space provided.

• In general, Part 4 and Part 5 do not apply to student’s applying for OPT as students do not generally have an interpreter assisting with the application.

• Part 6.

• This section can be used to provide information on previously used SEVIS numbers and to indicate attached files such as previous EAD, approval notice and I-20s.

• Example: Page 3. Section 2. Number 27.

  • List previously used SEVIS numbers and indicate “previous CPT/OPT authorization documents attached.”
  • Put ‘N/A’ if a question does not apply to you.
  • You must complete and submit ALL 7 pages with your application.

Color Photo Specifications

You must submit two identical color passport-style photographs of yourself taken recently (within 30 days of filing form I-765).

The photos must have:

• A white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted, unretouched, and not digitally altered.
• The two identical passport-style photos must be 2 by 2 inches.
• The photos must be in color with a full face, frontal view, on a white background.
• Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes to the bottom of photo.
• Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious denomination of which you are a member.
• Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and SEVIS number on the back of the photos.

Maintaining F-1 Status While on OPT

• Students with a program end date in August are limited to holding a 50% assistantship in summer prior to program end date, and must register for a full course load or have a reduced course load in place for that semester.
• Check with ISSS prior to international travel – travel endorsements need renewing every six months while on OPT
• Keep ISSS updated with any changes in home address, employer (including being unemployed), and email address, by visiting iStart within 10 days of the change.
• While on OPT, you are allowed to be unemployed for up to 90 days (cumulative throughout your OPT period).
• Prior to leaving the university, update UI-Integrate with your preferred non-university e-mail address.
• You will not be able to hold student employment on campus after your program end date. This includes hourly and graduate assistant work done on the Illinois campus. As ending your program early can result in the loss of your tuition waiver, we recommend you review the Graduate College policy on tuition waivers before shortening your I-20.
• Do not withdraw your registration after you apply for or receive OPT.  If you do, ISSS must terminate your F-1 record.
• Once you receive your Notice of Action Form (2-3 weeks after applying) you can use the case number and provided web address to follow the status of your application.
• You may not begin your OPT employment until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and the effective date on the card has been reached.
• Once you receive your EAD card, please submit a copy via the OPT Employer Information Update e-form in iStart, when you report OPT employment.
• Submit OPT Employer Information Update e-form within 10 days of employment (including reporting unemployment).
• The e-form will only be available in iStart after your OPT start date. You will receive a new I-20 with employer information listed.
• Submit address updates whenever you move within the U.S.
• If you are a beneficiary of a timely-filed change of status H-1B petition, your work authorization under OPT will automatically extend to April 1st. The extension of duration of status and work authorization would automatically terminate upon the rejection, denial or revocation of the H-1B petition. Once the change of status to H-1B has been approved and taken effect, please report this information to ISSS by filing the Change of Status Approved e-form.