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F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

91短视频 OPT

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student’s major area(s) of study which must be approved through an I-765 application to the U.S. government. Within OPT, there are two categories: pre-completion and post-completion OPT. Eligible students can apply to be authorized to work up to 12 months on either pre- or post-completion OPT. However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from any potential post-completion OPT available. 

Graduates on post-completion OPT are only permitted a total of 90 days unemployment during their initial 12-month OPT employment period.

You must: 

  • Have completed one full academic year (consecutive fall/spring semesters) directly prior to the OPT

  • Have a valid passport

  • Be in valid F-1 status

  • Be in good academic standing making normal progress toward the degree

  • Have not completed more than 12 months of CPT at your degree level

  • Be in the United States

  • Have received an OPT-endorsed I-20 from International Student Affairs

  • Be pursuing practical training opportunities related to your major(s)

  • Specific to post-completion OPT:
    • Be in the final semester of your undergraduate degree (to apply)
    • Make your application no more than 90 days prior to your program end date and no later than 60 days after your program end date
  • Specific to pre-completion OPT:
    • Complete before your program end date

A job offer/offer of employment is not required to apply for OPT. 

  • Post-Completion OPT:

    • You may apply up to 90 days before your program end date. 

    • The deadline for OPT application is the 60th day after your program end date.

    • You must select an OPT start date within the 60 day grace period after your program end date. Note: USCIS will actually determine your OPT start date. It may be outside of the grace period.

  • For all applicants:

    • Application processing times are posted on the . In the drop-down menu, make sure to select I-765 for the form and “Based on request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]” for the form category.

    • The OPT application must be received by USCIS within 30 days of the creation of a new I-20 by ISA, endorsed for OPT.  If the application is submitted beyond that 30 days, it will be denied.

OPT Application Process

The information shared below refers to the process of preparing for and submitting the online I-765 OPT application. This application is used to apply for both pre- and post-completion Optional Practical Training. 

1. Determine Your OPT Start Date

Choose a work authorization start date as part of your OPT application. Whether you are applying for pre- or post-completion OPT will affect work authorization start date selection as well as how much time you can request to be authorized to work. Once you have submitted your I-765 application, you cannot change your requested work authorization start date. 

For post-completion OPT, the work authorization start date should be within your post-graduation grace period, the 60 day window after your program end date. Note that this work authorization start date will be a request. It is up to the discretion of the U.S. government what date and if you will ultimately be permitted to begin work. 

For pre-completion OPT, the work authorization request dates will include both start and end dates. On pre-completion OPT, individuals are eligible to work up to 20-hours per week during term time and more than 20-hours per week during breaks. Pre-completion OPT authorized will count against your available post-completion OPT balance. Please speak with ISA for additional details. 

For both pre- and post-completion OPT, you will not be able to begin working until the work authorization start date on your EAD (Employment Authorization Document) and until you have received your physical EAD card. 

2. Submit Your OPT-endorsement Request

OPT applicants are required to submit an OPT-endorsed I-20, issued by their sponsoring institution (in this case, 91短视频), to the U.S. government through the I-765 form. Students request the OPT-endorsed I-20 through the International Student Portal. Before submitting the request, students should sit down with their faculty advisor(s) to discuss their plans for Optional Practical Training, when they plan to pursue it, and what kinds of positions they are applying for. As a reminder, all Optional Practical Training must be related to the student's program of study. 

To submit the request for the OPT-endorsed I-20, students should:

  • Log in to the
  • Navigate to the Requests/Documents tab
  • Click on the OPT Endorsement Request icon to fill out and submit the form

3. Compile Documentation for the I-765 application

  • Scan of OPT-endorsed I-20
  • Scan of
  • Scan of the passport photo page from your valid passport
  • Scan of all I-20s endorsed for CPT, along with scans of job offer letters for all CPT
  • *Recent 2x2 digital passport-sized identity photo

*Regarding the photo: You will need to upload a recent (taken within the last 6 months) U.S. style passport photograph of yourself. Please refer to as well as the instructions on the online I-765 application for additional information on the photo requirements. NOTE: As of October 2026, the I-765 form still requires that all OPT applicants submit a 2x2 digital photo, but you will also receive a Request for Further Evidence either by mail or on your USCIS online account saying that you must go to an Application Support Center to have your photo taken. 

At the appointment you may be asked to submit fingerprints, and an electronic signature in addition to having a photo taken.

The nearest Application Support Center (ASC) to Greencastle is in Indianapolis at this address:

  • USCIS Application Support Center
    Landmark Center 10th Floor
    1099 North Meridian Street
    Indianapolis, IN 46204-2942

If you submit a Greencastle physical address, expect this to be the ASC you will be assigned. However, you should check the Biometrics Appointment Confirmation you receive from USCIS  to confirm.

It is required that you keep your mailing address and email up to date so that you can receive any mail from USCIS right away.

4. Know the Payment Required

The I-765 Filing fee is currently $470, payable to USCIS through the I-765 application process. For filing fee updates, refer to the

Students are also permitted to request “” for an additional $1,780 which ensures that USCIS reviews their I-765 OPT Application within 30 business days of the receive of the application.

5. Get Final Approval and Receive Endorsed OPT I-20 from ISA

Once your OPT-endorsement request has been approved by your faculty advisor, the DSO will create the OPT-endorsed I-20 you will submit as part of your digital I-765 application.

You will receive email confirmation that your OPT-endorsed I-20 has been created, along with links to guidance and additional reminders about the process. Read this guidance thoroughly. The I-765 application must be submitted within 30 days of the creation of your OPT-endorsed I-20. Once the OPT-endorsed I-20 is created you will no longer be able to adjust your requested work authorization start date.

 

6. Fill Out and Submit the I-765 Application

To submit the I-765 application, you will need to create a USCIS account through the . (Instructions under the “file online” section.) So long as you have gathered all the required documents, the application process should be fairly straightforward.

The I-765 application must be submitted within 30 days of the creation of your OPT-endorsed I-20.

For additional guidance in filing the I-765, 91短视频 students can refer to this

Biometrics Appointment 

USCIS will issue a Form I-797C, Notice of Action for Biometrics (photograph and fingerprinting). This will require your appearance at an  (Application Support Center) for biometrics and a photo. You will receive a pre-set date, time, and location for your biometric appointment. Check your account regularly for the latest communication from USCIS. 

If you need to reschedule your current ASC Biometrics Appointment, you may log in to your USCIS online account to use the online Self-Rescheduling tool or go to . You will be able to change the date, time, and location of the appointment. 

Please note: The Self-Rescheduling tool cannot be used to reschedule an appointment that has already been rescheduled two or more times, is within 12 hours, or has already passed. 

7. Wait for Processing and your EAD Before Work

Processing of your I-765 OPT application can take several months. The processing clock starts after your Biometrics appointment.

You are not permitted to begin working before you receive your EAD (Employment Authorization Document). Receipt of this document confirms your eligibility to work and you must have the physical copy to be able to do so.

Once your application has been received and is starting to be processed, you will receive an I-797 in the mail and in your USCIS portal. This contains information about how to , as well as other important information. You should keep a copy of this notice for your records. Your employer may also request a copy.

Additional Questions

Yes. Please refer to the聽Travel on OPT/STEM OPT page for more information.

We do not recommend that you travel while your OPT application is pending. Please refer to the聽Travel on OPT/STEM OPT page for more information.

Click on this on Types of OPT work.