filing form I-765 for OPT. USCIS announced flexibilities for certain foreign students affected by delayed receipt notices for Form I-765. These flexibilities apply only to applications received on or after Oct. 1, 2020, through May 1, 2021. Some of the flexibility extensions include 14-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) period flexibilities.

Under this extension, USCIS will approve applications for post-completion of filing form I-765 for OPT with validity dates reflecting the same amount of time originally recommended by the designated school official (DSO) from their school on the Form I-20. The agency will also allow certain applicants to refile following rejection if the original, timely filed application was received on or after Oct. 1, 2020, to May 1, 2021 and USCIS then rejected it.