Office of Immigration Services Filing by Mail

I-765

These instructions are for mail-in OPT applications specifically.  Online OPT applicants complete the I-765 o via MyUSCIS, and do not directly fill out the PDF version of the form.

The I-765 is a required form for any OPT application. It is critical that this form be filled out carefully and correctly, because a single mistake can cause significant delays to your OPT application process, or even a rejection. 

Be sure to use the fillable PDF version of the I-765 on the USCIS website, to avoid errors caused by hard-to-read handwriting. Once filled out digitally, print out and sign in blue or black ink by hand and send the original with your OPT application. (USCIS also accepts electronically reproduced versions of original signatures.)

Periodically, USCIS issues updated versions of the I-765 form.  It is essential that you submit the correct version in your OPT application.  To confirm that you are using the correct I-765 version, check the "Form Details > Edition Date" section on the USCIS's I-765 page.

Note: all fields intentionally left blank on the I-765 should be filled in with "none" or "N/A".

Filling out the I-765 for mail-in OPT applications:

• Part 1: Reason for Applying
  • I am applying for
    • Check the box for “Initial permission to accept employment” if you are applying for Pre-Completion, Post-Completion, or STEM OPT.
    • Check the box “Replacement” if you have lost your EAD and are requesting a replacement (but be sure to check in with us at the OIS first).
      
      
• Part 2: Information About You
  • 1. Full Legal Name
    • Enter your family name first. Enter your first name second. Include your middle name if you have one.
      
      
• 2-4. Other Names Used
  • Provide all other names you have ever used, including aliases, maiden names, and nicknames.  You may provide up to three names. 
    
    
• 5-6. US Mailing Address
  • Provide the street address you would like to use for any ensuring correspondence with USCIS about your OPT application, including approval documents and your EAD. This must be a US address and it should be valid three months into the future. If you expect that this address will not be valid for three months, you should provide the US mailing address of a trusted friend or family member that will be valid in three months.
  • You may provide the OIS mailing address if you'd like. The OIS would receive your mail from the USCIS, open it, scan and email a copy of it to you, and you could request to have the original shipped to you.  If you would like to do this, provide this mailing address on the I-765:
    • 5a. Office of Immigration Services
    • 5b. 16 Barrett Hill Drive
    • 5c. [Apt] 2293
    • 5d. Amherst
    • 5e. MA
    • 5f. 01002
    • 6. No (You must fill out #7 with your accurate physical address in the US.  You cannot provide the OIS's address for #7.)
      
      
• 7. US Physical Address
  • Provide the street address where you are residing.  This must be a US address.  You may not provide the OIS address here.
    
    
• 8-17. Other Information
  • 8. Alien Registration Number (A-Number): Leave blank (unless you have received an A-Number)
  • 9. USCIS Online Account Number: Leave blank (unless you have previously filed an application or petition using the USCIS online filing system and received a USCIS Online Account Number)
  • 10.  Gender: Select the sex reflected on your passport and I-20.
  • 11.  Marital Status: Select your current marital status
  • 12. Have you previously filed Form I-765:
    • Yes if you have applied for OPT previously or have submitted an I-765 for another petition
    • No if you have never filed an I-765 in the past
  • 13-17. Social Security Number
    • 13a. If you have an SSN, select Yes and fill out 13b. If you do not have an SSN, select No and skip to 14.
    • 13b.  If you selected Yes for 13a, provide your SSN here.  Skip if you do not have an SSN.
    • 14. If you slected No for 13a, and you would like to apply for an SSN via this form, select Yes. If you already have an SSN, select No and skip to 18.
    • 15. If you selected Yes for 14 and would like to apply for an SSN via this form, select Yes.
    • 16-17: Only answer these questions if you do not have an SSN and select Yes for 14 and 15. By answering these questions, you will be applying for a Social Security card with the Social Security Administration. Your SSN will be issued, and you will receive a Social Security card within 2-4 weeks of your OPT application approval. You will not need to submit a separate application for an SSN to the Social Security Administration.
      
      
• 18. Your Country or Countries of Citizenship or Nationality 
  • List all countries where you are a citizen or national.  If additional space is needed, use space provided in Part 6. Additional Information.
    
    
• 19-20. Place of Birth
  • Fill out all fields to provide your location and date of birth.
    
    
• 21-26. Information About Your Last Arrival in the US
  • 21a. Enter the Admission (I-94) Record Number from your most recent I-94 record.
  • 21b. Passport number (most recently issued passport)
  • 21c. Travel document number (if any; this will likely be blank)
  • 21d. Country that issued your passport or travel document
  • 21e. Passport or travel document expiration date (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • 22. Place of your last arrival into the US: Enter the last date you entered the US. This should be visible in the entry stamp in your passport as well as listed in your most recent I-94 record.
  • 23. Place of your last arrival into the US: Enter the city and state where you most recently entered the US. This should be listed on your most recent I-94 record.
  • 24. Immigration status at your last arrival: Your status of last entry is most likely "F-1 Student," unless you have since changed status from within the US.  This status should be reflected on your most recent I-94 record, as well. 
  • 25. Current immigration status: F-1 Student
  • 26. SEVIS ID: As listed on your I-20
    
    
• 27-31: Information about your eligibility category
  • 27. Eligiblity category: Enter the code for the type of OPT you are requesting:
    • If you are applying for Pre-Completion OPT, enter the code (c) (3) (A).
    • For Post-Completion OPT, enter the code (c) (3) (B).
    • For STEM OPT enter the code (c) (3) (C).
  • 28.  If you are applying for the 24 month STEM OPT Extension, enter the following:
    • Degree: Write “Bachelors” and the CIP code found on your I-20.
    • Employer name: Write your employer's name as listed in the e-verify system (this should also match your I-983 for STEM).
    • Employer's E-verify number (required for STEM): Write your employer's e-verify number. This is usually 4 - 7 digits. E-verify number is not the same as EIN. Check with your employer if you do not know your employer's e-verify number.
      
      
• Part 3: Applicant's Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature
  • 1-2. Applicant's Statement
    • Select either 1a, 1b, or 2.  Most students will find that 1a is the most accurate selection.
  • 3-6. Applicant's Contact Information
    • 3. Provide your daytime US phone number
    • 4. Provide your US mobile phone number (can be the same as 3)
    • 5. Provide your email address
    • 6. Do not check this box; it does not pertain to OPT applications.
  • 7. Applicant's signature
    • Read through the declaration and certification text.
    • Be sure to sign the form in blue or black ink inside the box. Make sure only your signature is in the box and fits entirely within it.  USCIS accepts electronically reproduced versions of original signatures.
    • Enter the date that you signed the document. 
      
      
• Part 4: Interpreter's Contact Information, Certification, and Signature
  • 1-7: You should only fill out this section if your I-765 has been completed by an interpreter. 
• Part 5: Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Application, if Other than the Applicant
  • 1-8: You should only fill out this section if your I-765 has been prepared by a person other than you (if an interpreter, see Part 4). USCIS accepts electronically reproduced versions of original signatures.
• Part 6: Additional Information
  • This space is intended for you to provide any additional information that could not fit earlier in the application.  You may make multiple copies of this page if needed.  A sample of part 6 can be found here.
  • Complete this section only if:
    • You have previously been approved for CPT or OPT in the past
    • You have had a different SEVIS ID number while in F-1 status (for example, you studied in F-1 status, left for a leave of absence, then returned to school with a new I-20).
  • If completing this page, enter your name in boxes 1a - 1c.
  • If you have previously been approved for CPT and/or OPT:
    
    • Xa: Page Number: 3
    • Xb: Part Number: 2
    • Xc: Item Number: 27
    • Xd: List all previous CPT or OPT authorizations you have had. Use separate fields for each type of authorization (for example, list each previous CPT or OPT segment in separate boxes).
      • Include type of work authorization, whether full-time (20+ hours/week) or part-time (less than 20 hours/week), employer name, authorization dates, degree level.  
      • CPT: List all previous CPT approvals.
        • CPT Authorization. Full-time, N0123456789, Best Job LLC, 06/01/2020 - 09/03/2020, Bachelor's.
      • OPT: List all previous OPT approvals.
        • Pre-Completion OPT Authorization. Part-time, N0123456789, 09/04/2020 - 12/20/2020, Bachelor's.
  • If you had a previous SEVIS ID number:
    • Ya: Page Number: 3
    • Yb: Part Number: 2
    • Yc: Item Number: 26
    • Yd: List all previous SEVIS IDs you have had. Use separate fields for each SEVIS ID.
      • Previous SEVIS ID; N0012345678, 08/24/2020 - 12/11/2020, Bachelor's, Amherst College.

Please note that these resources are intended for general informational purposes only and are not legal advice.  It is your responsibility to review and follow all official instructions provided by USCIS.

 

G-1450

The G-1450 is required for mail-in OPT applicants who wish to pay the OPT filing fee via credit card instead of providing a check or money order.  By completing and including the G-1450, you are agreeing that a charge be placed on the credit or debit card listed in your completed form.  Failure to provide either a complete and correct G-1140 or a check or money order will result in the USCIS rejecting your mail-in OPT application.

Please note that some students have experienced unexpected rejections of their OPT application when including the G-1450.  If the credit card charge is denied or does not go through (for any reason), the OPT application will be rejected and returned to sender, and a new application must be resubmitted.  The rejection process can take a number of weeks, setting one back in their OPT application timeline.  Weigh the pros and cons of this option closely for your particular case.  In most cases, because time is a concern, we recommend against using the G-1450 because results are less reliable. 

If you do decide to submit the G-1450 for payment, be sure to place your G-1450 on the very top if your OPT application when mailing to the USCIS.

G-1145

The G-1145 is not required when applying for OPT, but is highly recommended.  By completing and including the G-1145, you are allowing the USCIS to provide electronic notifications to you via email and/or text message, in addition to hardcopy notifications sent to your mailing address.  Receiving electronic notifications will mean that you receive communications from the USCIS significantly more quickly than if you were to rely solely on physical mail.

• Be sure to use the fillable PDF version of the G-1145, to avoid errors caused by hard-to-read handwriting.
• The G-1145 might be the easiest form of all to complete. You’ll want to provide your full name, email address, and mobile phone number. And that's it!

USCIS Mailing Address

When mailing your OPT application to USCIS, check the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization page for the most up-to-date destination address.