Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) Tutorial
Filing Checklist
IMPORTANT: You must bring the following items with you to your OPT filing appointment with the International
Student Advisor. Your appointment will be rescheduled if you fail to bring these items
to the appointment.
1. Completed OPT Recommendation Form. The purpose of this form is for your academic advisor or college advising office
to confirm completion of the coursework required for your degree program. Your advisor
can email the completed form to iss@wichita.edu in advance of your filing appointment.
2. Completed OPT Memorandum of Understanding. You will be asked to provide your requested start date on this form. Some things
to consider when selecting a start date:
- For undergraduate students and coursework-only graduate students: Your requested start date must be after your graduation. Remember, the latest start date you can request is 60 days after graduation.
- For graduate students completing a project, thesis, or dissertation (“terminal activity”): If you choose, you may begin post-completion OPT while you are still working to complete your terminal activity. You are eligible to apply for OPT once you have completed the required coursework (excluding thesis/project/dissertation hours) or you can choose a start date up to 60 days after graduation.
- The requested start date is never guaranteed.
- After reviewing this tutorial, if you are still unsure about choosing an OPT start date, you are welcome to wait to choose a date until you have discussed your concerns with the International Student Advisor during your OPT filing appointment.
- If there is a gap between your program end date and your OPT start date, you are still in F-1 status and legally allowed to remain in the U.S. You may look for work, but cannot begin employment until you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and the start date has passed.
3. Completed Form I-765: Once you are on the USCIS page, scroll down past the online filing information to "Forms and Document Downloads." Expand the section and click "Form I-765." This form MUST be typed and should be printed on 7 sheets of paper. DO NOT print double-sided. Download, save, and complete Form I-765 following the instructions provided below or using our printer-friendly version of the instructions here.
Please complete all fields as instructed below:
Select box 1.a, Initial permission to accept employment.
Your Full Legal Name
- 1.a. Type your family name(s) in CAPITAL letters. (Note: the EAD card will allow a maximum of 30 characters in this field.)
- 1.b. Type your given name(s) in standard capitalization. (Note: the EAD card will allow a maximum of 18 characters in this field.)
- 1.c. Use this field if you truly have a middle name or if all of your given names will not fit in the given name field. (Note: names in this field will most likely be abbreviated on the EAD card.)
Failure to follow these instructions may result in errors on your EAD (OPT Card).
Other Names Used
- Only complete fields 2.a - 4.c if you have used names other than the ones listed in 1.a - 1.c.
Your U.S. Mailing Address *If you would prefer to use your own mailing address, please be sure you will remain at that address for the next 3 months to ensure your documents can be delivered successfully. If your OPT card is lost in the mail, you will have to submit a new application and filing fee to USCIS to request a replacement.
- 5.a. Wichita State University
- 5.b. 1845 Fairmount
- 5.c. Select “Ste.” and type: “122”
- 5.d. Wichita
- 5.e. KS
- 5.f. 67260-0122 (some browsers may not allow the last 4 digits, which is OK)
- 6. Select “No”
U.S. Physical Address
- Complete fields 7.a - 7.e with your U.S. physical address (where you live).
Other Information
- 8. Leave blank unless you have previously been issued an EAD from USCIS. If you have previously received an EAD, the A# may be listed on your card as the USCIS #.
- 9. Leave blank unless you already have a USCIS online account. Most students will not have a USCIS online account.
- 10 - 11. Complete fields with your information
- 12. Indicate if you have previously filed a Form I-765 with USCIS
Items 13.a - 17.b refer to your Social Security Number (SSN) and the way you answer depends on whether you already have an SSN.
- 13.a. Select “Yes”
- 13.b. Provide your SSN
- 14. Select “No”
- 15 - 17.b. Leave blank
You have two choices:
1. Allow the Social Security Administration to issue you one upon approval of your OPT (instead of applying in person at a Social Security Administration office). If this is your preference, answer as follows:
- 13.a. Select “No”
- 13.b. Leave blank
- 14. Select “Yes”
- 15. Select “Yes”
- 16.a.-17.b. Provide the full names of your Father and Mother
2. Apply in-person at a Social Security Administration office upon approval of your OPT (instead of having the SSA issue you one automatically). If this is your preference, answer as follows:
- 13.a. Select “No”
- 13.b. Leave blank
- 14. Select “No”
- 15 - 17.b. Leave blank
Your Country or Countries of Citizenship or Nationality
- 18.a. Indicate your country of citizenship
- 18.b. If you are a citizen or national of another country, indicate this information here. Otherwise, leave blank.
Place of Birth
- Complete fields 19.a - 20 with your personal information. Please note that if the name of the place you were born has changed, you should use the name as it was at the time of your birth.
Information About Your Last Arrival in the United States
- 21.a. Enter the 11-digit admission number from your most recent I-94 arrival record.
- 21.b. Enter your most recent passport number
- 21.c. Leave blank
- 21.d - 26 - Complete fields with your personal information
Information About Your Eligibility Category
- 27. Enter exactly as shown: (c) (3) (B)
- Items 28 - 31.b should be left blank.
Applicant’s Statement
- Select 1.a, “I can read and understand English….”
Applicant’s Contact Information
- 3 - 5. Complete with your information
- 6. Leave blank
Applicant Signature
- 7.a. - 7.b. Sign and Date. Per the I-765 instructions, “a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.”
Leave blank.
Complete this section only if you have additional information to provide. Typical examples of this include:
- You have been approved for CPT in the past
- You have submitted a Form I-765 to USCIS (for OPT, Severe Economic Hardship, etc) in the past (even if the application was later withdrawn or denied)
- You have used a different SEVIS ID in F-1 status in the US (for example, if you attended school for a while, left the US to take a break from school, and returned with a new I-20, you would have a SEVIS ID from your first period of attendance that is different than your current SEVIS ID).
If you need to complete Part 6, please see the instructions below:
- 1.a - 1.c. Complete these fields exactly the same way you did on Page 1, Part 2. These fields may populate automatically.
- 2. Complete this field the same way you did on Page 2, Item 8. If you left it blank on Page 2, leave it blank here.
- For each of the items for which you need to provide additional information (previous CPT, previous OPT, etc), complete one number (#3.a. - 3.d., #4.a. - 4.d. etc) in Part 6.
Please see below examples for various scenarios that may apply to you:
You can find your CPT details on the I-20 that was approved for each period of CPT. Please see the following example:
These instructions are meant to help you with best practices in completing the Form I-765 for an OPT application. Please note, this is not legal advice.
4. Completed Form G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance. Use this form to request a text message and/or email when USCIS accepts your form.
5. Fee Payment. The application fee is $410.00 and should be made payable to the “U.S. Dept of Homeland Security.”
The following forms of payment are accepted by USCIS:
- Money order (recommended)
- Personal check
- Form G-1450 Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
6. Immigration Documents. You are required to provide TWO clear copies of the following items. Copies should be on standard-size paper (8 ½ x 11). Do not cut copies down to a smaller size. Center item to be copied on the paper – avoid the margins and corners. Be sure to close the copier cover so the empty space around the item is white, not black.
- Passport – Copy must include picture, name, and expiration date. Passport must be valid.
- Visa – It is OK if your visa has expired.
- I-94 Admission/Departure record. This can be printed from the CBP website. Note: You only need to print the I-94, not the travel history. The electronic I-94
system was introduced in April 2013. If your most recent entry was prior to this date,
you should have been issued a paper I-94. If so, please print a copy of the front
and back of the card.
7. Two Passport-Style Photos. The photos should be identical and must have been taken within the last 30 days.
The USCIS service center will reject photos more than 30 days old. Follow the guidelines
described on the Department of State website. The WSU Post Office offers passport photo services (7am – 3pm), as do Walgreens
and FedEx-Kinkos.
The following item applies only to applicants previously granted work authorization by USCIS:
8. Copies of previously-issued EADs: If you have been authorized for OPT, Temporary Protected Status, or Severe Economic Hardship in the past, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) would have been issued to you. You’ll need to provide TWO copies of each EAD (front and back on same side of paper).
DON'T FORGET: Bring the above items with you to your appointment with the International Student
Advisor. If you fail to bring these documents, your appointment will be rescheduled.
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