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I-765 OPT Instructions

The primary sources for Form I-765 OPT application are available here:

Form I-765 is required for filing the OPT Application. Download the latest version via the link above, and follow the tips below. Information on this page is designed to assist you complete Form I-765 Application for Employment for OPT. Maintaining lawful F-1 status is your responsibility. ISP is available to assist you in understanding your responsibilities if you have any questions.

Before You Begin:

  • Type online, or print in BLACK ink
  • If a question does not apply to you, type or print N/A or None, unless otherwise directed.

Part 1

Reason for Applying: Check the box (1.a.) for "Initial permission to accept employment."

Part 2

Information About You: Your Legal Name: Enter your legal name as it appears in the Machine Readable Zone of your passport.

Information About You: Your U.S. Mailing Address: ISP's address can be used as your U.S. maililng address (see ISP Sample I-765) to prevent lost documents. ISP will email you once we have receive any documents belonging to you. Enter your current residential address in the U.S. physical address section.

If you choose not to use ISP's address, enter a valid U.S. address where you can receive mail within the next 2 - 5 months. USCIS Receipt Notice, Approval Notice, and EAD (employment authorization document) will be sent to this address. USCIS does NOT forward mail. If it is undeliverable, it will be sent back to USCIS.

Other Information:
8 - 9: You likely do NOT have an Alien Registration Number or USCIS Online Account Number.
12: Check "Yes" only if you previously filed Form I-765 for a previous OPT application.
13.a. Check "Yes" if you already hold a Social Security Number
14. Check "No" if you already hold an SSN, then skip to Item 18.

Information About Your Last Arrival in the United States:
21.a. Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number: Download and print your I-94 from the I-94 Official Retrieval Website. Use your I-94 to complete items 21.a., 22, and 23.
26. SEVIS Number is found on the top left portion, marked SEVIS ID.

Information About Your Eligibility Category:
27. Enter (c) (3) (B) as the code for applying for the initial 12 months of OPT.
28 - 31.b. These do not apply if you are requesting employment authorization for OPT under Eligibility Category (c)(B)(B), as indicated in Item 27.

Part 3

Applicant's Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature:
7.a. Write small. Your signature should NOT touch any lines or text on the form. Use BLACK ink.

Part 4

Interpreter's Contact Information, Certification, and Signature:
If a question does not apply to you, type or print "N/A" or "None," unless otherwise directed.

Part 5

Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Application, If Other Than the Applicant:
If a question does not apply to you, type or print "N/A" or "None," unless otherwise directed.

Part 6

Additional Information:
NOTICE: This section is to be used to list any and all previous SEVIS Numbers from any I-20s you received either from another U.S. school (before Caltech) or for CPT (Curricular Practical Training) and/or OPT (Optional Practical Training). There are no specific instructions on how to complete this section. Pending further guidance from USCIS, ISP suggests that you type in the blank lines, starting with 3.d., as follows:

  • SEVIS Number, Degree Level, School Name,
  • CPT: start date - end date + Full-Time vs. Part-Time (per CPT authorization)
  • OPT: start date - end date