OPT Application Process

When to Apply

The earliest that a student may apply is 90 days before the start date of eligibility. The date of eligibility starts after the completion of one academic year as an F-1 student. You must have been continuously enrolled full-time during this time. For example, if you started your degree program in fall semester, your eligibility for Pre-Completion OPT would start after the end of spring semester. A student may also apply at any time after the start of eligibility. Just keep in mind that the requested start and end date must be before graduation.

View the video for filing the online Form I-765 for Pre-Completion OPT.

Step 1.    Prepare the evidence

• Passport
• Passport-style photo (digital for online filing)
• I-20s with CPT or OPT authorizations
• I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (most recent) - download from CBP I-94 website
• Copy of school transcript showing at least one year of enrollment

Step 2.    Create USCIS account

• USCIS website

Step 3.    Fill in online I-765 but do not pay and submit to USCIS. Download draft to include with ISS request.

Step 4.    Complete ISS OPT request form.

• Download the ISS OPT Request form

Step 5.    Submit OPT request to ISS.

• Go to Submit Request on ISS website. Log request and upload the following:
  • Completed ISS OPT request form
  • Passport
  • Passport-style photo
  • Past I-20s with CPT or OPT authorizations
  • I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (most recent)
  • Copy of school transcript showing at least one year of enrollment

Step 6.    ISS issues I-20 with OPT recommendation.

Step 7.    Complete the online I-765, pay and submit to USCIS.

Step 8.    Download and print receipt.

Approval

1. USCIS will inform you when your OPT has been approved, and that your EAD is being created.
2. USCIS will inform you that the EAD has been mailed to you via USPS, and will provide you with a tracking number.
3. There is a limit of how long your EAD may remain in your mailbox before USPS returns it to USCIS. Therefore, you should make sure you or someone you trust is checking your mail.
4. Once you have your card, please use UH Filedrop to send a copy of it to ISS (issmanoa@hawaii.edu) for confirmation.
5. You may begin work on the date that your OPT starts, or when you receive the card, whichever is later. You may not begin work if you have not received your card.
6. If you applied for a Social Security Number through the I-765, you should receive it within about two weeks of your OPT start date.

There are no reporting requirements for Pre-Completion OPT.

When to Apply

The earliest that a student may apply is 90 days before the completion date of their program (i.e., graduation date), as long as they have fulfilled the one year enrollment as F-1 that is required to be eligible. The latest that a student can apply is 60 days after the completion date. However, filing near the end of the 60-day window is not recommended. In total, this provides a 5-month window in which the student may apply.

View the video for filing the online Form I-765 for Post-Completion OPT.

Step 1. Prepare the evidence

• Passport
• Passport-style photo (digital for online filing)
• I-20s with CPT or OPT authorizations
• I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (most recent) - download from CBP I-94 website

Step 2.    Create USCIS account

• USCIS website

Step 3.    Fill in online I-765 but do not pay and submit to USCIS. Download draft to include with ISS request.

• Do not pay or submit your application yet.

Step 4.    Complete ISS OPT request form.

• Download the ISS OPT Request form

Step 5.    Submit OPT request to ISS.

• Go to Submit Request on ISS website. Log request and upload the following:
  • Completed ISS OPT request form
  • Passport
  • Passport-style photo
  • Past I-20s with CPT or OPT authorizations
  • I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (most recent)

Step 6.    ISS issues I-20 with OPT recommendation.

Step 7.    Complete the online I-765, pay and submit to USCIS.

• The I-765 must be submitted with the OPT I-20 within 30 days of the I-20 issuance date and before the end of the program 60-day grace period.

Step 8.    Download and print receipt.

Approval

1. USCIS will inform you when your OPT has been approved, and that your EAD is being created.
2. USCIS will inform you that the EAD has been mailed to you via USPS, and will provide you with a tracking number.
3. There is a limit of how long your EAD may remain in your mailbox before USPS returns it to USCIS. Therefore, you should make sure you or someone you trust is checking your mail.
4. Once you have your card, please use UH Filedrop to send a copy of it to ISS (issmanoa@hawaii.edu) for confirmation.
5. You may begin work on the date that your OPT starts, or when you receive the card, whichever is later. You may not begin work if you have not received your card.
6. If you applied for a Social Security Number through the I-765, you should receive it within about two weeks of your OPT start date.

When an F-1 student is approved for OPT, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will email the student on the start date of OPT a set of instructions to set up an SEVP Portal account. Through this portal, students can update their OPT information directly.

When to Apply

The earliest that a student may apply is 90 days before the end date of their current Post-Completion OPT, or any time within that 90-day window. Applying after the end date of Post-Completion OPT is too late.

View the video for filing the online Form I-765 for STEM OPT Extension.

Step 1.    Prepare the evidence.

• Current OPT EAD
• Passport
• Passport-style photo (digital for online filing)
• I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (most recent) - download from CBP I-94 website
• Diploma or official transcript showing degree awarded in a field eligible for STEM Extension
• Form I-983 (submit to ISS only, not to USCIS)
  • Form I-983 Overview at Study in the States
  • Complete the I-983 instructions provided by SEVP.

Step 2.    Create USCIS account (if you don’t have one).

• USCIS Website

Step 3.    Fill in online I-765 but do not pay and submit to USCIS. Download draft to include with ISS request.

• Do not pay or submit your application yet.

Step 4.    Complete ISS OPT Request form.

• Download the ISS OPT Request form

Step 5.    Submit OPT request to ISS.

• Go to Submit Request on ISS website. Log request and upload the following:
  • Completed ISS OPT request form
  • Current OPT EAD
  • Passport
  • Passport-style photo
  • I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (most recent)
  • Diploma or official transcript showing degree awarded in a field eligible for STEM Extension
  • Form I-983 (see also instructions for completing Form I-983)

Step 6.    ISS issues I-20 with OPT recommendation.

• The I-765 must be submitted with the OPT I-20 within 60 days of the I-20 issuance date and before the end of regular OPT.

Step 7.    Complete the online I-765, pay and submit to USCIS.

Step 8.    Download and print receipt.

Approval

1. Upon receipting of your application, your employment authorization is automatically extended up to 180 days or until USCIS approves or denies your application, or if it is withdrawn, whichever comes first. Use the receipt with your current EAD to verify this authorization to your employer.
2. USCIS will inform you when your OPT has been approved, and that your EAD is being created.
3. USCIS will inform you that the EAD has been mailed to you via USPS, and will provide you with a tracking number.
4. There is a limit of how long your EAD may remain in your mailbox before USPS returns it to USCIS. Therefore, you should make sure you or someone you trust is checking your mail.
5. Once you have your card, please use UH Filedrop to send a copy of it to ISS (issmanoa@hawaii.edu) for confirmation.

You will continue to use your SEVP Portal Account that you set up for Post-Completion OPT, but may only make changes to name and contact information. In order to update employment, you must submit a report to ISS. You are also required to submit periodic reports to SEVP through ISS.