F-1 Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) Request


As written on your passport

As written on your passport

As written on your passport
























You can estimate this date

You can estimate this date

You can estimate this date



OPT APPLICATION CHECKLIST
To guide you through the OPT Request process, here is a checklist of items you will need to complete to finalize your OPT application.
If you have any files associated with the list of items above that you want to upload now, you can do so below. You can use the Add another file link below to submit as many files as you need.




Once all the items above are completed, please contact the International Student Office at iso@masters.edu or 661-362-2249.

Any files not submitted in this request form will also need to be emailed to iso@masters.edu to finalize the application process.
Please provide the First Name, Last Name, and Email of the Academic Advisor who can provide for you a recommendation for OPT.



You will be notified after the Academic Advisor completes the recommendation and the Office of the Registrar signs the form.

Your advisor will automatically be contacted first after you submit the form. The Office of the Registrar will be contacted after your advisor submits his/her recommendation.

OPT FULL PROCESS CHECKLIST

Please see the checklist below and ensure you follow all steps to finalize your OPT process.

You can access this list of requirements at any time with this link. 


Please store the link where you can easily reference it.



STEP 1: COMPLETE PACKET

o OPT Request Form

o 1-765 Form (https://www.uscis.gov/i-765)

§  (c)(3)(A) for pre-completion OPT

§  (c)(3)(B) for standard post-completion OPT

§  (c)(3)(c) for STEM OPT

o Academic Advisor’s Recommendation for F-1 Optional Practical Training Form

o I-765 filing fee - $410 paid in check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to “US Department of Homeland Security”

o 2 identical immigration-style photos taken within 30 days of filing Form I-765 (recommend doing at Walmart or Walgreens). Please see U.S. Style Passport Photo Guidelines

o A copy of 1-94 Admission Record (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home)

o A copy of your most recent U.S. entry stamp in passport

o Copies of all previous I-20s, especially those on which CPT or OPT was granted previously, so that all prior periods of CPT and OPT, and whether they were for full-time or part-time training, can be reviewed by USCIS

o A copy of your passport ID pages: photo page, page with passport validity dates, including renewal page if original has expired, and pages showing amendments such as name changes, corrections, etc.

o A copy of I-20 with OPT recommendation (should receive from PDSO/DSO)

o STEM Additional Requirements

§  Have an offer of paid employment for at least 20 hours per week from an employer enrolled in E-verify

§  Complete Form I-983 with employer and DSO

§  Copy of STEM degree diploma


 

STEP 2: GET NEW I-20

  • §  When the packet is done, you must bring all of it, including photos and money order or check, to Josh English in the ISO office and he will print you a new I-20 with the OPT recommendation on it.

 

STEP 3: MAIL IN APPLICATION

  • §  Mail all of the above to the USCIS Lockbox Facility with jurisdiction over the student’s place of residence. The Lockbox will then forward the application to the proper USCIS Service Center for adjudication
  • §  **Please note** - You must mail in entire application within 30 days of printing the new I-20. If the packet is not received by the lockbox within 30 days, they will deny your OPT application. Please do not wait to mail it and risk your chance of approval. If denied, the application fee will not be refunded.
  • §  The current USCIS lockbox address is: USCIS, PO Box 21281, Phoenix, AZ 85036




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