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OPT Checklist

Post-completion Optional Practical Training for F-1 students

Overall Progress

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$520

Filing Fee

Form I-765

3–5 mo

Processing

varies by center

90 days

File Window

before graduation

90 days

Max Unemployment

standard OPT

Phase 1: Confirm Eligibility & Timing

Do this first — before contacting your DSO

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Apply no earlier than 90 days before graduation. OPT must start within 60 days after your program end date.

You have been enrolled full-time for at least 1 full academic year

Action

You have confirmed your program end date / graduation date with your school

Action

Your intended job is directly related to your field of study

Action

USCIS and your DSO may ask you to explain this connection

You have NOT previously used all 12 months of post-completion OPT

Action

Your filing date will be within the 90-day early window before graduation

Action

Earliest you can apply: 90 days before program end date

Phase 2: Meet with Your DSO

International Student Office — this is required before filing

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Your DSO must enter the OPT recommendation in SEVIS before you can file Form I-765. You cannot skip this step.

Schedule appointment with your International Student Office (ISO/DSO)

Action

Decide your desired OPT start date with DSO

Action

Cannot be before your graduation date for post-completion OPT; must be within 60 days after

DSO enters OPT recommendation into SEVIS

Action

Receive updated I-20 with OPT recommendation (page 3 filled and signed)

Document

Check that page 3 shows 'OPT Recommended' with dates and DSO signature

Get travel signature on I-20 (page 1) if you plan to travel before receiving EAD

Document

Travel signatures are valid for 6 months

Phase 3: Gather All Documents

Collect everything before you start Form I-765

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I-20 with OPT recommendation from DSO (most recent)

Document

Required — this is your authorization from the school

Copies of ALL previous I-20s (every one ever issued to you)

Document

USCIS wants to see your entire F-1 history

Passport biographical page (copy)

Document

The page with your photo, name, and expiry date

US visa stamp page from passport (copy)

Document

Even if your F-1 visa stamp is expired — it still counts

I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (printed from i94.cbp.dhs.gov)

Document
Download I-94

Copies of any previous EAD cards (front AND back)

Document

Only required if you had prior OPT or other work authorization

2 passport-style photos (2×2 in, white background)

Document

Required only if filing by PAPER mail — not needed for online filing

Phase 4: Complete Form I-765

Application for Employment Authorization — file online at my.uscis.gov

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Online filing is strongly recommended — faster processing and no lost mail risk. Paper filing requires mailing to a USCIS service center.

Create account at my.uscis.gov (if you don't have one)

Online
Create myUSCIS account

Start a new Form I-765 application online

Form

Select eligibility category: (c)(3)(B) — Post-completion OPT

Form

(c)(3)(A) = Pre-completion OPT | (c)(3)(B) = Post-completion OPT (most common)

Enter your desired OPT start date (within 60 days after graduation)

Form

Enter your SEVIS ID number (starts with N, found on your I-20)

Form

Answer all personal information questions accurately

Form

Upload all supporting documents (I-20, passport, I-94, prior EADs)

Form

Review the entire application carefully before submitting

Action

Phase 5: Pay Filing Fee & Submit

Confirm payment and keep your receipt

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Pay the $520 Form I-765 filing fee

Fee

Online: credit/debit card. Paper: money order or check payable to 'U.S. Department of Homeland Security'

Verify current fee at uscis.gov

Submit the application and confirm you receive a submission confirmation

Action

Save/screenshot the USCIS receipt number (starts with IOE, EAC, WAC, etc.)

Action

You will need this to track your case status

Save confirmation email from USCIS

Action

Phase 6: After Filing — While You Wait

Processing typically takes 3–5 months

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Do NOT start working before you receive your EAD card AND the start date on the card has arrived. Working without authorization is a serious immigration violation.

Receive USCIS Receipt Notice (Form I-797) by mail or email

Document

Usually arrives within 2–3 weeks of filing

Track your case status using your receipt number at egov.uscis.gov

Online
Track USCIS case

Notify your DSO if your address changes after filing

Action

Keep your I-94 and passport valid during this period

Action

If your OPT start date passes before EAD arrives, contact DSO immediately

Action

DSO may need to update your I-20 with a new start date

Phase 7: After Receiving Your EAD Card

Final steps before and after starting work

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Verify all info on EAD is correct: name, DOB, category C(3)(B), dates

Action

If anything is wrong, contact USCIS immediately — do not use an incorrect card

Make copies of both the front and back of your EAD

Document

Report your employer information to your DSO within 10 days of starting work

Action

This is a SEVIS reporting requirement — failure can affect your F-1 status

Also update your employer directly in the SEVP Portal (sevp.ice.gov/opt)

Online

Most students don't know this exists. After graduation you have direct access to update your own SEVIS record — employer, address, and more. Login with your SEVIS ID (N-number on I-20) + date of birth + passport number.

SEVP Portal

Begin tracking your unemployment days (max 90 days allowed on standard OPT)

Action
Use OPT Day Counter

Always carry your EAD, passport, and I-20 when traveling or working

Action

If changing jobs, report new employer to DSO AND update in SEVP Portal within 10 days

Action
SEVP Portal

If eligible, start STEM OPT extension process at least 90 days before OPT expiry

Action

Requires a qualifying STEM degree and E-Verify employer

STEM OPT Checklist