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You must be in the U.S. at the time that you submit your OPT application to USCIS. �

You cannot apply for OPT from �outside of the U.S.

Applying from outside the U.S. may have long-lasting negative immigration consequences

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�Post-Completion Optional Practical Training Application Workshop

For Winter 2026 graduates

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Topics

Introduction and Resources
Post-OPT Application Timeline
Requesting Post-OPT Endorsement
Review of Documents Needed for Post-OPT Application
I-765 Application
Online Filing
Premium Processing

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Where to find Post OPT information

Bechtel.Stanford.edu > Navigate International Life > Employment > F-1 Student Employment > Optional Practical Training (OPT)

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Resources

Advisors do not review applications!

USCIS checklist

Guide for completing the I-765

Final review checklist

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Bechtel International Center

General e-mail: internationalstudents@stanford.edu

Please do NOT send repeated emails. Your email will be answered within 4-5 business days.

Note: Please include your SEVIS ID# (starts with N00…)

and Stanford ID (starts with 005… or 006…)

Afternoon Advising via Zoom (by appointment)
Afternoon Drop-In Advising in Post Room

at Bechtel International Center

Monday-Friday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.�

Website: http://bechtel.stanford.edu

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You must be in the U.S. at the time that you submit your OPT application to USCIS. �

You cannot apply for OPT from �outside of the U.S.

Applying for outside the U.S. may have long-lasting negative immigration consequences

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Post OPT Application Timeline

Winter 2026 degree conferral date: April 2, 2026

I-20 program end date: April 2, 2026

100 days prior to degree conferral: December 23, 2025

Earliest you can request an OPT-endorsed I-20 from Bechtel�*OPT endorsement requests for winter quarter graduates will be processed after we reopen from Winter break on 1/5/26

90 days prior to degree conferral: January 2, 2026

Earliest you can submit your OPT application to USCIS

Bechtel strongly recommends that USCIS RECEIVE the OPT application within 14 days of the date the OPT-endorsed I-20 is issued, or the application will be denied.

Your requested Employment Start Date must be a day between:

April 3, 2026 and June 1, 2026

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Applying for OPT

Apply to Graduate
Determine an OPT start/end date (more on that soon!)
Submit the OPT endorsement request in Bechtel Connect
Put together your application using the USCIS Checklist
Review your completed application packet using the Final Review checklist (pdf) and submit it to USCIS online

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Choosing a Start Date of Employment

Is there a job offer already?
Confidence in finding a job
Taking time off after graduation
Building in vacation time before starting work

NOTE:

Employment dates cannot be changed once an application to USCIS is submitted
The end date is one year minus a day

PLEASE CHOOSE START DATES CAREFULLY!!

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Requesting �Post OPT Endorsement

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https://bechtelconnect.stanford.edu/

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Locating the Optional Practical Training request…

Click on the # 4 tab “My Student Home”

Then on the right side of the screen find:

OPT Request

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Request Overview Page

Click Next to move to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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You must pass the OPT quiz before submitting your application

The quiz will test your knowledge of the OPT application process.

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Enter the requested start date and end date (one year minus a day)

Select Yes

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Check the box confirming 3 quarters of study in F-1 status

Enter requested start date again

Enter end date again (1 year minus 1 day)

Post Completion OPT

Please enter the statement "Employment in the field of [INSERT YOUR MAJOR HERE]"

Full-Time

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Graduation application screenshot

Upload screenshot or other proof that you applied for graduation

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Ready to submit!

Submitted!

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Post OPT Application �to USCIS

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Form I-765 (name of the online application)
JPG, JPEG, or PNG of 2 inch by 2 inch passport style photo
PDF of your most recent I-94 print out
PDF Your passport bio page
PDFs of all previously CPT or OPT endorsed I-20s
PDF of Post-OPT endorsed I-20
Fee payment

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Evidence

US passport-style photo – 2”x2” (taken within the last six (6) months)

Must be 600x600 pixels; no more than 6 MB: file must be a JPG, JPEG, PDF, TIF, OR TIFF
Check the guidelines here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/photos.html

Form I-94: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home#section
Employment Authorization Document or Government ID

Copy of passport (photocopy of bio page)
If applicable, copy of any previously issued employment authorization documents (EAD card-front and back)

Previously authorized CPT or OPT - Post-completion OPT only

Previously approved CPT I-20(s) and OPT I-20(s) (pages 1 & 2)

Form I-20

Copy of new OPT/STEM Extension endorsed I-20
Make sure you have signed the first page

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Evidence

File requirements

Clear and readable
Accepted file formats: JPG, JPEG, or PNG (for passport style photo); JPG, JPEG, PDF, TIF or TIFF (for all other documents)
No encrypted or password-protected files
If your documents are in a foreign language, upload a full English translation and the translator's certification with each original document.
Upload no more than five documents at a time
Accepted file name characters: English letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, underscores, and parentheses
Maximum size: 6MB per file

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Final Reminders & Application Tips

Do NOT file without receiving OPT endorsed I-20
Do NOT submit more than 90 days prior to the degree conferral date
The online application system uses UTC or Coordinated Universal Time
If you have one name, list your name as “Last Name”
Make sure someone can receive mail at the mailing address listed for the next 6 months
Students have reported using apps for the passport photo

Alternatively, get a physical passport photo and scan it as a JPEG using a scanner (do not take a picture of it using your phone)

Payments must be made via a U.S. financial institution or credit card issued by a U.S. financial institution.

It will direct you to the pay.gov website to pay

Confirm the fee amount at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
Bank Account and Routing number. Must be drawn at a US financial institution.
Credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover)
USCIS can’t accept a credit card issued by a foreign bank!

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OPT Premium Processing (I-907)

USCIS recently announced that premium processing will be accepted for F1 students f they are filing under one of the following categories:

(c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT;
(c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; and
(c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for STEM students.

For online submissions, students will need to submit the form I-765 and then use the receipt notice to link the form I-709.
USCIS also accepts Form I-907 requests for certain F-1 students who already have a pending Form I-765.
Premium processing requires an additional fee of $1,685
This expedited processing is announced to take up to 30 days