Online filing for F-1 OPT (and STEM OPT): what students need to know

USCIS lets many F-1 students file Form I-765 online for pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, and the 24-month STEM OPT extension. However, success turns on picking the correct category, timing, and uploading the right documents. We help you file cleanly and avoid simple rejections.

Who can file online (common categories)

Pre-completion OPT: I-765 category (c)(3)(A)
Post-completion OPT: I-765 category (c)(3)(B)
STEM OPT extension (24 months): I-765 category (c)(3)(C)
Therefore, double-check the letter in brackets when you select your category in your USCIS account.

Timing basics (don’t miss the window)

Post-completion OPT: Apply up to 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after it. USCIS must receive your I-765 within 30 days of your DSO’s OPT recommendation in SEVIS (new I-20).
STEM OPT: File the I-765 before your current OPT EAD expires and within 60 days of your DSO’s STEM recommendation. A timely STEM filing gives a 180-day automatic extension of work authorization while pending.
Pre-completion OPT: Coordinate with your DSO so your requested dates match your academic plan.

What “online filing” looks like (step-by-step)

Create/sign in to myUSCIS and start Form I-765.
Select the correct category (c)(3)(A)/(B)/(C).
Upload required documents (see checklist).
Digitally sign and pay the filing fee online.
Save your IOE-receipt number and set alerts in your account.

Upload checklist (typical)

I-20 signed by you and your DSO with the OPT/STEM recommendation (recent: within 30 days for post-completion OPT; 60 days for STEM).
Passport ID page, I-94 record, F-1 visa (if any), prior EADs (front/back).
Photo meeting USCIS specs.
For STEM OPT only: completed Form I-983, E-Verify employer info, degree proof (transcript or diploma).
In addition, use clear, legible PDFs; name files logically (e.g., “I-20-OPT-MMDDYY.pdf”).

After filing: reporting & status tips

SEVP Portal/DSO reporting: Update jobs, addresses, and status changes on time.
Unemployment limits: Up to 90 days on initial OPT; STEM adds 60 more (total 150).
Travel: Carry I-20 with travel signature, EAD (or STEM automatic-extension proof), and job evidence.
Job changes: Keep offer letters and pay stubs; STEM jobs must be E-Verify and match your field.

FAQs

Can I file by mail instead?
Yes. However, online filing is faster to receipt and easier to track.

My I-20 is older than 30/60 days—can I still file online?
Get a new DSO recommendation and upload the fresh I-20 before submitting.

If I file STEM late, do I still get the 180-day extension?
No—the automatic extension applies only when USCIS receives a timely STEM I-765 before your OPT EAD expires.

Do I need a job offer to file post-completion OPT?
No job offer is required to apply, but you must follow the unemployment rules once approved.

How we help

First, we time the DSO recommendation and filing window. Next, we set up your myUSCIS packet with correctly labeled uploads. Then, we monitor your case, handle RFEs, and align travel/work plans. Finally, we map long-term options (H-1B cap, cap-gap, STEM, or permanent residence).

Ready to file OPT online? Schedule a consultation or call (562) 495-0554.

Disclaimer: General information, not legal advice. USCIS policies, fees, and online eligibility can change; we confirm the rule in effect when we file.

USCIS Announces Online Filing Options for F-1 Students Seeking OPT — What to Know

USCIS now lets many F-1 students file Form I-765 online for Pre-OPT (c)(3)(A), Post-OPT (c)(3)(B), and the 24-month STEM OPT extension (c)(3)(C) through a free USCIS online account—streamlining submission, receipts, and case tracking. Always start on the official I-765 page to confirm online availability and the current edition.

Timing rules you can’t miss (the “90/60/30” framework)

Post-OPT: USCIS must receive your I-765 no earlier than 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after it. In addition, the application must arrive within 30 days of your DSO’s OPT recommendation on page 2 of the new I-20. Filing outside these windows risks denial
STEM OPT: File the I-765 before your current EAD expires and within 60 days of the DSO’s STEM recommendation in SEVIS; filing before the recommendation or after 60 days will be denied.

What to upload (online)

Signed I-20 with the OPT/STEM recommendation (make sure the DSO signature is recent—see timing above).
Passport ID page, most recent I-94, prior EAD(s), and a compliant passport-style photo.
For STEM OPT, include Form I-983 and proof your employer participates in E-Verify.

Premium processing & receipts
Eligible F-1 OPT and STEM OPT applicants may request premium processing (Form I-907) per USCIS’s phased expansion; filing remains optional. Online filers receive an electronic receipt in the account, then an I-797C by mail.

Avoid these common mistakes

Picking the wrong eligibility code (use (c)(3)(A)/(B)/(C) exactly).
Submitting without the new OPT-recommended I-20 or with an I-20 that’s too old for your filing window.
Filing before the DSO recommendation appears in SEVIS (STEM) or after the 30/60-day clocks.

Pro tips
Create your USCIS online account first, verify your address for EAD delivery, and add G-1145 (if filing by mail). Keep PDFs readable and consistent; mis-sized photos or mismatched dates trigger delays. When in doubt, confirm requirements on the USCIS I-765 and OPT/STEM OPT pages—the agency updates these as policies evolve.