How to Apply Online

Please do not proceed with filing your OPT application until after you have received, printed, and signed your new I-20 recommending OPT. Once you have your OPT I-20, you are ready to take the final step of submitting your application to USCIS!

1. Prepare Your Documents

To make the process of submitting your online application easy, please have the electronic files for these documents ready before you begin:

Please make sure that your I-94 record reflects your most recent entry to the U.S. The I-94 should list 'F-1' as your class of admission and Admit Until Date: 'D/S'. If you see any errors on your I-94, please contact your OISS adviser.

1. Click the 'Get Most Recent I-94' button on this page
2. Click print and save as PDF

• must have been taken within 30 days of the submission of your OPT application
• must not have been previously used
• must not include eyeglasses

1. confirm the OPT dates on page two
2. confirm if the part-time or full-time indication is accurate
   • post-completion OPT should be full-time
   • pre-completion OPT is part-time during the semester and may be full-time when school is not in session
3. print it
4. sign & date
5. scan it

• initial attendance
• transfer pending and transfer completed
• change of educational level
• program end date extended or shortened
• CPT approval
• any previous OPT recommendation

Please be sure to name each I-20 appropriately (e.g. “Initial I-20”, or “Summer 2021 CPT I-20”, etc.). If you are missing any of these I-20(s) please let your OISS adviser know so that they can assist you.

Please note that the USCIS online system does not allow you to upload more than 5 documents at a time. If you have more than five old I-20s you need to select and upload less than 5 at a time. This restriction does not mean you can upload only five documents; you can upload as many as you like. If you wish, you can also combine your old I-20s into one PDF file, but this is not necessary.

If you have more than one F-1 visa in your passport, you only need the most recent one. An expired F-1 visa will not affect your OPT application.

(Not applicable if you are Canadian)

2. Create or Log into Your USCIS Account

1. Follow instructions for creating a USCIS Online Account or log in to your USCIS account if you already have one.
2. Click on 'MyUSCIS'
3. Select 'File a Form Online' and choose 'Application for Employment Authorization (I-765)'.
4. ​Follow the instructions and complete each step in the order they are presented to you.

3. Completing Your Online OPT Application

As you navigate the sections of the online I-765 application, follow these tips to complete and submit your application. Once you pay the fee, you will no longer be able to edit your application.

Getting Started

F-1 students may choose to add Premium Processing service to their OPT applications. Premium Processing costs an additional $1,500 and may allow for your application to be processed in 30 days. You can learn more about Premium Processing on the USCIS website. If you choose not to add Premium Processing at this point, you can still log back into your account and add it later to upgrade to Premium Processing. Please consult with your OISS adviser before upgrading to Premium Processing.

You can also check the USCIS website for standard I-765 processing times. Select Form: I-765, Form Category: Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student, Field Office: Potomac Service Center.

About You

This is where your EAD will be mailed. Make certain that the address you put in this section will be valid for the next 5 months as this is where your receipt notice, approval notice, and EAD will be sent. Mail from USCIS will not be forwarded by the U.S. Postal Service.

If you have no other options, you may use the OISS address (421 Temple St, New Haven CT 06511) as your mailing address. However, please note that OISS does not take any responsibility if there are any issues with the delivery of your EAD card. If you decide to use our address, enter “Yale OISS” under 'In Care Of Name (if any)'. You will get an email from Emily Solivan, OISS Front Desk Coordinator, once your EAD card is delivered to OISS during weekdays.

• If you used CBP Preclearance, your port of entry would be outside the United States. Choose that location as your place of arrival.
• If you took a domestic connecting flight in the U.S., choose the port of entry where you cleared the customs after your international flight.

Evidence

• must have been taken within 30 days of the submission of your OPT application
• must not have been previously used
• must not include eyeglasses

You do not need to upload your travel history. Make sure the record reflects your most recent entry to the U.S. and indicates F-1 as your class of admission and Admit Until Date: 'D/S', which stands for 'duration of status'. If you see any errors on your I-94, please contact your OISS adviser.

1. Click the 'Get Most Recent I-94' button on this page
2. Click print and save as PDF
3. Upload it to this section

If you used OPT before, upload a legible copy of your EAD card(s) here.

Regardless of any prior OPT use, please also upload in this section copies of:

• your passport(s)
• your F-1 visa (if any)

Be sure to name each I-20 appropriately (e.g. “Initial I-20”, or “Summer 2021 CPT I-20”, etc.) If you are missing any of these I-20(s), please let your OISS adviser know so that they can help you retrieve them.

• For CPT: Upload a copy of your I-20(s) showing approved CPT.
• For OPT: Upload a copy of your I-20(s) showing requested or approved OPT.
• If you are applying for post-completion OPT, please also upload any other old I-20s you have from Yale or any other previous school in this section as well.

Please note that the USCIS online system does not allow you to upload more than 5 documents at a time . If you have more than 5 old I-20s, you need to select and upload less than 5 at a time. This restriction does not mean you can upload only 5 documents. Alternatively, you can combine your old I-20s into one PDF file, but this is not necessary.

Please print, sign, scan, and upload the new I-20 that OISS issued to recommend you for OPT. This is the most important document in your online application, as it shows your requested OPT type, full or part-time status, and dates at the top of the second page. DO NOT SUBMIT your OPT application without uploading this new I-20.

Remember that you must submit your OPT application to USCIS within 30 days of the issuance of your new I-20 recommending OPT. If more than 30 days have passed since your I-20 was issued, contact your OISS adviser.

Additional Information

You should select 'add a response' ONLY if you:

• Had a different SEVIS number(s) than your current one: Choose the 'About You' section, the 'Your immigration information' page, and the 'What is your SEVIS number (if any)?' question. Under 'Additional Information', indicate your previous SEVIS ID and the start and end date of your previous I-20(s).
• Have previously been authorized OPT(s): Choose the 'Evidence' section, the 'Previously authorized CPT or OPT' page, and 'Previously authorized CPT or OPT' question. Under 'Additional Information', include the receipt number (the number that starts with EAC, IOE, LIN, PSC, WAC, YSC, etc.), start and end dates of OPT, whether it was full-time or part-time, pre- or post-completion, and academic level (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate) at which each OPT was authorized.
• Have previously been authorized CPT(s): Choose the 'Evidence' section, the 'Previously authorized CPT or OPT' page, and 'Previously authorized CPT or OPT' question. Under 'Additional Information', include the start and end dates of your CPT, whether it was full-time or part-time, and academic level (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate) at which each CPT was authorized.
• Are a citizen of three or more countries: Choose the 'About You' section, the 'Your immigration information' page, and the 'What is your country of citizenship or nationality?' question. Under 'Additional Information', indicate your additional nationalities. Be sure to upload copies of each passport under the 'Employment Authorization Document or Government ID' section of Evidence.

4. Review and Submit

• Check that you are within the 30-day window after the date your new I-20 recommending OPT was issued. Do not submit your application if it is outside this timeframe. Contact your OISS adviser for assistance.
• Verify that all information is correct, then digitally sign and submit your application.

5. Pay the Application Fee

• Pay the required application fee of $410 (debit or credit card payment recommended).
• Once you pay the fee, your application will be considered submitted and you can no longer make any changes to it.