To request an I-20 with OPT recommendation through the ISSOPortal:

1. Apply to graduate with your school or college department so we can confirm your expected date of completion. Please note BU defaults to official graduation dates for most programs.
2. Gather required documentation:
   • Passport and most recent I-20
   • Copy of most recent I-94 – can be downloaded from USCBP website
   • PhD students only – letter from academic department if you are requesting an alternate date of completion.
3. Log into the ISSOPortal. Go to the Request Center and click on the icon for OPT – Add New Post-Completion.
4. Follow the instructions in the request to complete the questionnaire, pay the required $100 OPT processing fee via credit card, upload required documents and confirm your understanding of conditions to maintain status to submit the request to ISSO.
5. Monitor the status of your request through the Request Center in the ISSOPortal.
6. Your ISSO Advisor will review your request and update the ISSOPortal within 10 business days. You will receive an email to:
   • notify you of approval or,
   • seek clarification/additional documentation or,
   • deny your request.
7. If approved, your new I-20 with the OPT recommendation will be uploaded to the ISSOPortal. Download and print the new I-20 from the Document Center in the ISSOPortal.
8. Print and sign this new I-20 and gather all other required documentation to prepare to apply to USCIS.
9.  Apply to USCIS for OPT.

For USCIS Processing:

Follow the below steps to apply to USCIS for OPT. Do not apply before receiving the OPT Recommendation I-20 as this will result in a denial from USCIS. You may apply by paper application with copies of all the required documents or, via online application at the myUSICS portal. Both methods are valid and take approximately the same amount of time for USCIS to process.

1. USCIS Form I-765: If applying via online application, you will complete this in the portal. If applying via paper application, complete the entire form by typing in the information. If you are unable to populate certain fields of the form on your computer, complete what you can and after printing, fill in the missing information in black ink in block letters. Remember to provide your signature in black ink as well. E-Signatures will not be accepted. Use the following resources to appropriately complete the form:
   • USCIS Instructions
   • ISSO OPT Video #3 on Completing the Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
   • ISSO handout on how to complete Form I-765

2. USCIS Form G-1145: Only required for paper applications only. The G-1145 will request that USCIS send a text and/or email to confirm the receipt of your OPT application. These messages will also include a case reference number that you can use to track your case status at the USCIS online case status page.

3. USCIS fee payment: For online applications fee should be paid with a credit card through the myUSCIS portal. For paper applications, fee should be paid with a Personal Check (from US bank), Cashier’s Check, or Money Order for the I-765 Filing Fee amount: Made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” You should verify the correct filing fee amount at the USCIS I-765 website.

4. Immigration Documents: For online applications you will upload the following required documents. For paper applications please include a copy of each of these documents with your application packet.

1. • Passport biographical and expiration information page
   • F-1 visa
   • I-94 record (Most recent I-94 record printed from the CBP website or paper I-94 stapled in your passport. If you have a paper I-94 card, you will need to make a copy of the front and back of the card)
   • Any previous Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)
   • Any previous and current I-20s showing CPT or OPT authorization. I-20s without CPT or OPT authorizations are optional.
   • Two (2) passport style photographs (Photo dimensions should meet USCIS/DOS passport photograph specifications) For online applications, you will upload these photos. For paper applications, Write your first and last name on the back of each photo.

To request an I-20 with OPT recommendation through the ISSOPortal:

1. We encourage you to schedule a 30 Minute Advising Appointment to strategize the timing and the process for Pre-Completion OPT with your ISSO Advisor if you have questions.
2. Gather required documentation:
   • Passport and most recent I-20
   • Copy of most recent I-94 – can be downloaded from USCBP website
3. Log into the ISSOPortal. Go to the Request Center and click on the icon for OPT – Add New Pre-Completion.
4. Follow the instructions in the request to complete the questionnaire, upload required documents and confirm your understanding of conditions to maintain status to submit the request to ISSO.
5. Monitor the status of your request through the Request Center in the ISSOPortal.
6. Your ISSO Advisor will review your request and update the ISSOPortal within 10 business days. You will receive an email to:
   • notify you of approval or,
   • seek clarification/additional documentation or,
   • deny your request.
7. If approved, your new I-20 with the OPT recommendation will be uploaded to the ISSOPortal. Download and print the new I-20 from the Document Center in the ISSOPortal.
8. Print and sign this new I-20 and gather all other required documentation to prepare to apply to USCIS.
9.  Apply to USCIS for OPT.

For USCIS Processing:

Follow the below steps to apply to USCIS for OPT. Do not apply before receiving the OPT Recommendation I-20 as this will result in a denial from USCIS. You may apply by paper application with copies of all the required documents or, via online application at the myUSICS portal. Both methods are valid and take approximately the same amount of time for USCIS to process.

1. USCIS Form I-765: If applying via online application, you will complete this in the portal. If applying via paper application, complete the entire form by typing in the information. If you are unable to populate certain fields of the form on your computer, complete what you can and after printing, fill in the missing information in black ink in block letters. Remember to provide your signature in black ink as well. E-Signatures will not be accepted. Use the following resources to appropriately complete the form:
   • USCIS Instructions
   • ISSO OPT Video #3 on Completing the Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
   • ISSO handout on how to complete Form I-765

2. USCIS Form G-1145: Only required for paper applications only. The G-1145 will request that USCIS send a text and/or email to confirm the receipt of your OPT application. These messages will also include a case reference number that you can use to track your case status at the USCIS online case status page.

3. USCIS fee payment: For online applications fee should be paid with a credit card through the myUSCIS portal. For paper applications, fee should be paid with a Personal Check (from US bank), Cashier’s Check, or Money Order for the I-765 Filing Fee amount: Made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” You should verify the correct filing fee amount at the USCIS I-765 website.

4. Immigration Documents: For online applications you will upload the following required documents. For paper applications please include a copy of each of these documents with your application packet.

1. • Passport biographical and expiration information page
   • F-1 visa
   • Copy of most recent I-94 – can be downloaded from USCBP website
   • Any previous Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)
   • Any previous and current I-20s showing CPT or OPT authorization. I-20s without CPT or OPT authorizations are optional.
   • Two (2) passport style photographs (Photo dimensions should meet USCIS/DOS passport photograph specifications) For online applications, you will upload these photos. For paper applications, Write your first and last name on the back of each photo.