Guidance for Paper-Filing of Form I-765 for Optional Practical Training

 
 
Updated September 2021 
Guidance for Paper-Filing of Form I-765 
 for Optional Practical Training 
 
Please review USCIS instructions in detail here https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 
 
Please note that the information below is only intended to provide general assistance on how 
to complete the online I-765 form.  It is not intended to serve as formal legal advice.  You are 
responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the I-765. 
 
Application checklist for Paper-Based Filing:  
For a paper-based OPT application filing, you will need to prepare and submit the following list of items 
to USCIS. We recommend that you compile the documents in the same order as listed below: 
  G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance 
 
  Application Filing Fee for I-765, payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  
 
-  Please only include the I-765 filing fee and do not include the additional biometrics fee with the 
application. You may visit the USCIS I-765 website and also use the USCIS Fee Calculator to help 
determine the filing fee. Instructions for Utilizing the USCIS Fee Calculator for OPT.  
 
-  A personal check, cashier’s check or money order are all acceptable forms of payment. If you 
use a personal check, be sure you have adequate funds, and if you are considering closing your 
bank account, wait to do so until after the check has been cashed. Please note that for students 
using a paper-based application procedure, we do not recommend paying the application filing 
fee via credit card, although that is also an option. In our experience, the G-1450 credit card 
application form/procedure has led to a disproportionately high level of errors. 
 
-  Unlike with the online filing option, applying for OPT via a paper-based application will not 
provide you with immediate confirmation that your application fee payment was successful. If 
you submit the wrong application fee or format your payment incorrectly, your OPT application 
will likely be rejected.   
 
  Two recent U.S. passport-style photos. The photos must be identical and in color with a plain 
background. See the USCIS I-765 instructions for complete photo formatting requirements. Do 
not re-use photos that you have previously used on your passport or visa. Photos can be 
obtained at U-M Photo Services. Use a pencil to gently write your name and I-94 number on the 
back of each of your two photos. You may place the photos in an envelope (also marked with 
your name and I-94 number) that you then attach to the other documents. Do not use a staple 
to attach the fee and the photos.  
 
  Completed USCIS Form I-765. Please carefully review the USCIS Instructions for completing the I-
765 for OPT.  
 
-  Select "Initial permission to accept employment" in part 1 of the I-765. 
 

Updated September 2021

- You must sign the I-765 using a handwritten, black ink signature. USCIS will not accept a

stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature.

- One of the most important choices you will make when preparing the I-765 is the U.S. Mailing

Address. This is the address to which USCIS will mail all OPT related correspondence. We

recommend that you select a U.S. Mailing Address that will remain valid for at least the next 6

months. Federal mail cannot be forwarded, so a U.S. Postal Service forwarding request will not

forward your EAD card. If you use a friend or family member’s address, list their name in the

section 5.a. “In Care of Name.” Please review our online training for OPT, module 4, for more

information about choosing the mailing address to use on the I-765.

- Be sure that you are using the most up-to-date I-765 edition date. The current valid edition date

is listed on USCIS’s I-765 website.

 Photocopy of the new I-20 with OPT recommendation, pages 1 and 2. Remember that to be

eligible for Post-Completion OPT, USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the date

the OPT I-20 is issued. You can confirm the date your OPT I-20 was issued by viewing the “DATE

ISSUED” section on page 1 in the “School Attestation” box. If your OPT I-20 recommendation is

about to expire or has already expired, please contact the International Center as soon as

possible for assistance with obtaining an updated OPT I-20.

 Photocopies of all previously issued CPT and/or OPT I-20s. Make sure that you have signed and

dated each of your I-20s on page 1 in the Student Attestation section at the bottom.

 Photocopy of paper or print-out of electronic Most Recent Form I-94. Please note that if you

changed to F-1 status within the US via a successful in-country change of nonimmigrant status

(Form I-539) application with USCIS and have not since traveled outside the US, the I-94 is

located on your change of status approval notice document (I-797).

 Photocopy of previous EAD card(s), (front and back) if applicable. Attach corresponding OPT I-

20s to prior OPT EAD card(s), if applicable.

 Photocopy of your passport picture page (the page(s) showing your biographical information,

your photograph, and official passport validity dates and details). If the photo in the passport is

not clear or varies widely from your current appearance, we recommend that you also include a

clear copy of another form of identification, such as a state-issued driver’s license or

identification card.

Suggestions for Completing Form I-765 for Post-Completion OPT

Download the most recent I-765 Form from https://www.uscis.gov/i-765.

Type or write your answers clearly in black ink.

Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you list “N/A” or “None” as

directed.

Updated September 2021

Top Portion

Leave the top portion blank.

Part 1

Select “Initial permission to accept employment”.

Part 2

Question 1: Record your name as shown in your passport.

Questions 2-4: Please be sure to include any other names used with the university or listed on any

formal documents. This includes other naming formats, aliases, maiden names and nicknames. If you

have never used another name, write “N/A” or “Not Applicable”.

Question 5: Record the address you want your OPT documents and EAD card mailed to. If it is a friend or

family member’s address, list their name in the ‘In care of name’ box, if applicable. We strongly

Updated September 2021

recommend that this mailing address is valid for at least 6 months into the future since changing

addresses during a pending OPT application may lead to mail delivery issues.

Question 6: Select the correct box based on your situation. Your physical address is where you are living

and should be the same address as listed in Wolverine Access.

Question 7: If you answered “No” to Question 6, list your physical address. If you answered “Yes” to

Question 6, write “N/A” or “Not Applicable”.

Question 8: Most students should write “None”. However, if you have been issued an A-number from a

previous EAD such as OPT or as part of the green card process, please list your A-number. The A-number

is the USCIS # listed on your previous OPT EAD card, if applicable.

540 Thompson St

Ann Arbor

48104

N/A

Updated September 2021

Question 9: Most students should write “None”. You may already have a USCIS Online Account Number

if you previously filed certain paper forms and received an Account Access Notice in the mail. You can

find the OAN at the top of the notice; it is not the same as an A-Number.

Questions 10-11: Check the appropriate box.

Question 12: Check the appropriate box. If you check “Yes”, include copies of your previous EAD cards if

available.

Question 13a: Check the appropriate box. If you check “Yes” continue to Question 13b. If you check

“No” skip to Question 14.

Question 13b: Record your Social Security Number.

Question 14: If you have a Social Security Number check “No” and skip to Question 18.

If you do not have a Social Security Number and

Want one issued- check “Yes” to Question 14, “Yes” to Question 15, and provide your family’s

information in Question 16 and Question 17.

Do not want one issued- check “No” to Question 14 and skip to Question 18.

Question 18a: List your home country as shown on your passport.

Question 18b: List other countries as applicable. If you do not have multiple citizenships, write “N/A” or

“Not Applicable”.

Question 19-20: Record birth your information. Be sure to list your birthday using the format

mm/dd/yyyy.

Question 21a: Record your most recent I-94 Admission Record Number.

Updated September 2021

Instructions on finding and printing your I-94 are available on the International Center’s website:

https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/i-94

Question 21b: Record the information directly from your passport.

Question 21c: Most students should write “N/A” or “Not Applicable”. If you do not have a valid passport

but your country has issued a valid travel document for you instead, please enter the travel document

number here. If you do have a valid passport, list the passport number in 21b.

Question 21d: Record the information directly from your passport.

Question 21e: Record the information directly from your passport.

Question 22: Record the date you last entered the US.

Question 23: Record Port of Entry city/code from your most recent travel. This information is available

in the travel history of your I-94. For example, if you entered via the Detroit Airport list “DTW”.

Question 24: Record “F-1 Student”

Question 25: Record “F-1 Student”

Question 26: Record the information directly from your I-20. The SEVIS ID is listed on the top left corner

of your I-20 and starts with “N00…”

Question 27: Those applying for Post-Completion OPT should record “c 3 B”

Question 28: Write “N/A” or “Not Applicable”.

Question 29: Write “None”.

Question 30: Leave blank.

Question 31a: Write “None”.

Question 31b: Leave blank.

Updated September 2021

Part 3

Question 1a: Select “I can read and understand English…”

Questions 3-5: Record your contact information.

Updated September 2021

Question 7a: Sign in black ink. Keep your signature within the box, do not touch the lines above or

below.

Question 7b: Date the form using the format mm/dd/yyyy.

Victor Valiant

aliant

Updated September 2021

Part 4

Questions 1-7: Write “N/A” or “Not Applicable”.

Part 5

Questions 1-6: Write “N/A” or “Not Applicable”.

Question 7: Leave blank.

Question 8: Write “N/A” or “Not Applicable”.

Part 6

Use this section to provide all previously used SEVIS numbers and evidence of any previously authorized

CPT or OPT and the academic level at which it was authorized.

Question 1: Record your name as shown in your passport.

Question 2: Write “None”.

Questions 3-7 as needed. Indicate the corresponding page number, part number and item number as

listed on the I-765 for each response. Information related to previous CPT and OPT Authorizations

corresponds to Page 3, Part 2, Item 27. Information related to previous SEVIS IDs corresponds to Page 3,

Part 2, Item 26.

Victor

Valiant

N/A

N o n e

Updated September 2021

Part 6 Examples

CPT Authorizations

If you had CPT authorization at any degree level, record that information here. For each CPT approval,

define “Full Time” or “Part Time” CPT, the dates of approval, and degree level at the time of

authorization. This information is available your CPT I-20 that printed at the time of authorization.

OPT Authorizations

If you have applied for OPT at any degree level, record that information here. For each OPT specify

“Pre-Completion OPT” or “Post-Completion OPT” the dates of approval and degree level. This

information is available on your EAD card. Remember to select “Yes” I have previously filed Form I-765

in Part 2, Question 12 and include a copy of your EAD card.

Updated September 2021

Previous SEVIS Numbers

If you have previously used other SEVIS numbers, provide that information here. For each SEVIS record,

indicate the SEVIS number, degree level (if applicable), and corresponding immigration status.

Mailing tips and instructions for Paper-Based Filing

 Confirm the correct USCIS address to which to send a paper-based application by visiting the

USCIS I-765 website. Search by clicking the drop arrow tab titled "Foreign Students", and locate

the address options associated with your type of OPT.

 Mail your OPT application using a trackable method and keep evidence of delivery.

 Please review our After You Have Applied for OPT page for a summary of recommended next

steps after filing your OPT application.