1. Submit Pre-OPT e-Form to ISSC
Submit your application materials to the ISSC through the Pre-OPT I-20 Request eForm through the ISSC eForm Portal no more than 100 days prior to your employment start date. ISSC will release your I-20 on or after the 90th day prior to your employment start date.
Please have the following materials ready prior to submitting the e-Form:
- Copy of biographical page of passport (page with your picture on it) valid at least six months into the future (NOT your visa).
- Copy of recent I-94 arrival record (NOT your travel history).
- Copy of the front and back of prior EAD cards at your current degree program level (if applicable).
Please allow the ISSC approximately 10 days to process your Pre-OPT request.
The ISSC cannot process your Pre-OPT request until AFTER your academic advisor has approved the eForm. Any delay in your academic advisor’s approval is NOT part of the ISSC’s 10-day processing time; please plan ahead.
2. Receive your Pre-OPT I-20 from ISSC
- USCIS will reject applications received prior to the 90th day before the student’s employment start date. If the ISSC receives your eForm too early, your I-20 will be held and ready at or after the 90th day
- You will receive an email notification from the ISSC with your new Pre-OPT I-20 and instructions attached.
- If you would like a paper copy of your Pre-OPT I-20, please review our Receiving Documents webpage for more information
You must review the information within your I-20 for accuracy, then sign and date in blue ink.
3. Submit your Application to USCIS for Processing
After receiving your Pre-OPT I-20 from the ISSC, you will need to submit your documents to USCIS within 30 days of the date the ISSC signed your I-20 (date issued). Applications received after the 30-day signature limit will be denied by USCIS.
There are two methods for submitting your Pre-OPT application to USCIS: online or paper. The ISSC highly recommends that you use the online method.
You must file the following documents with your application:
- Pre-OPT application checklist (not required for online application).
- Payment (choose one of the following):
- For paper applications: Form G-1450 (for credit card payments), personal or cashier’s check, or money order, for $410.00 payable to "US Department of Homeland Security" (do not abbreviate).
- For online applications: Online applications must use Pay.gov to securely submit payment via credit card or checking/savings account.
- Form G-1145 (not required for online application).
- Form I-765.
- For paper applications: USCIS frequently updates this form which changes the edition (date). Your application will be rejected or denied if you use the incorrect form. Before mailing your application be sure to verify that you are using the correct edition.
- For online applications: The questions on this form will be asked throughout the online application process.
- A copy of pages 1 and 2 of new I-20 signed by DSO and student (do not include F2 dependent I-20s).
- Copy of recent I-94 arrival record (NOT your travel history).
- Copy of the front and back of prior EAD cards at the current program level (if applicable).
- Copy of biographical page of passport (page with your picture on it) valid at least six months into the future (NOT your visa).
- Two passport-style photos (2” x 2”)
- For paper applications: Name and I-94 admission number should be written lightly on back in pencil placed in a small envelope.
Carefully follow all instructions provided to you when submitting your application materials to USCIS, and keep copies of all completed applications for your personal records. If you have a job offer letter from a company, you may include it with your application, but it is NOT required (add the letter at the end of your packet for USCIS).
For a comprehensive step by step review of your Pre-OPT packet enroll in the Self-Guided Pre-OPT Packet Review Canvas course.
As of April 3, 2023, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests (Request for Premium Processing Service), filed either via paper form or online, for F-1 students when filed together with Form I-765. Please note the cost is $1,500. For more information, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/how-do-i-request-premium-processing.
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Tips for Avoiding Application Rejections, Denials, Delays, and Receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS:
- DO NOT submit your application to USCIS prior to 90 days before your requested Pre-OPT start date. USCIS will cash your payment and deny your application if it is received prior to 90 days before your Pre-OPT start date.
- USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the date the ISSC signed your I-20 (date issued). If your application will not make it to USCIS within 30 days, you must return to ISSC for a new I-20.
- Print, sign and date your OPT I-20 in blue ink.
- Paper submission only:
- Sign and date Form I-765 in black ink.
- Do not staple anything, bind your entire application packet with one clip.
- Fill out a personal check or money order, including the date, payable to the US Department of Homeland Security and write the amount in numbers ($410.00) and words (Four hundred ten dollars and 00/100), and sign it. Add your I-94 admission number in the “Memo:” or “For:” line on your check (bottom left), or somewhere appropriate on the money order.
- Follow the mailing instructions and checklist provided by the ISSC.
- The United States Postal Service (USPS/ “the post office”) will not forward EAD cards. If you are moving, you must update your address within 10 days by:
- If you filed a paper application and have not received your receipt notice within 30 days, please email lockboxsupport@uscis.dhs.gov and include the tracking information of your delivery confirmation.
If for any reason you receive a Rejection, Denial, or a Request for Evidence (RFE) Notice from USCIS, or if you receive your application materials back from the postal/shipping service, DO NOT resend the materials. Inform ISSC by completing the OPT/STEM USCIS Notice Upload eForm for further advisement.