Tips for Completing the I-765

To e-file, you will first need to create a USCIS account, which you can do HERE. When creating your account, we recommend using your personal email address, since KSU email addresses will deactivate after three semesters of non-enrollment.

Complete each field. If a field does not apply to you, write "N/A" (Not Applicable), or "None" as appropriate. You do not need to write in fields that say "If Any."

Basis of Eligibility

• Students applying for Pre-Completion OPT should select (c) (3) (A) as their eligibility category.
• Students applying for the first 12 months of Post-Completion OPT select (c) (3) (B) as their eligibility category. 
• Students applying for the STEM Extension should select (c) (3) (C) as their eligibility category.
  • STEM Extension Only: Enter your degree, your employer's E-Verify name, and the employer's E-Verify Identification Number. This number is not the same as the EIN (Employer Identification Number) or your E-Verify ID.

Reason for Applying

• If you are applying for Pre-Completion OPT or your first 12 months of Post-Completion OPT, check “Initial permission to accept employment.”
• If you are applying for the STEM OPT Extension, check “Renewal of my permission.”
• If you have previously filed an I-765 for OPT or USCIS work authorization (CPT is not included in this), check "Yes." If this is your first I-765 application, check "No."

Preparer and Interpreter Information

• Answer "No" unless the application is being completed with the assistance of a preparer or interpreter.

Your Names

• List your name as it is on your legal documents (passport, visa, I-20, SS Card).
• Provide any other names you have used.

Your Contact Information

• Provide your contact information. We recommend using your personal email address, as the KSU email addresses are deactivated after a time.
• Provide a mailing address. This should be an address where you will be able to receive notices and your EAD card from USCIS in approximately 90 days. It does not need to be the address where you reside. If it is not your own address, include the name of the resident in the "In Care Of" field.
• If your mailing address is the same as your physical address, check "Yes."  If your mailing address is different from your physical address, check  "No" and enter your current physical address in the provided fields. Please note that your physical address may change while your OPT application is processing. The address just needs to be the address where you currently reside at the time of application.

Describe Yourself

• Answer as appropriate.

When and Where You Were Born

• Answer as appropriate. Be sure to enter your birthdate in Month/Day/Year format.

Your Immigration Information

• Answer as applies to your situation. Below are some tips.
• Your arrival information can be found on your I-94, and its linked page on the CBP website, your Travel History. Your I-94 can be found at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website HERE. When you retrieve your record, make sure the I-94 is for your most recent entrance to the U.S. and all of the details are correct. If there are any errors, contact isss@kennesaw.edu for assistance. 
• Enter the passport number of your most recently issued passport.
• A travel document is issued in place of a passport. If you have a passport, leave this field blank.
• Enter the SEVIS ID Number from your most recently issued I-20. The number is found at the top left of your I-20 and begins with N00... If you ever had a different SEVIS ID number, you will need to include that information at the end of the form in the "Additional Information" section.

Other Information

• If you are applying for your first period of OPT and/or first USCIS work authorization, you may not have an A-Number. If you are applying for the STEM Extension, your A-Number is listed on your EAD card as "USCIS Number."
• Most students applying online for the first time will not have a USCIS Online Account number. If you previously filed online, the account number may auto-fill.
• Social Security: Answer as applies to your situation. If you are requesting a replacement Social Security card or if you would like to apply for Social Security for the first time, consent to the disclosure and provide your parents' details. The Social Security card will be issued once your OPT is approved.

2x2 Photo of You

• Be sure to follow the U.S. Department of State's Digital Photo Requirements.

Form I-94

• Upload your most recent I-94. If you changed status within the U.S., upload the I-94 attached to your I-797A approval notice as well as the I-94 from when you entered the U.S. and any I-94s for status extensions.

Employment Authorization Document

• Upload the front and back of your previously issued EADs (if any.)
• If you never had an EAD, upload a copy of your passport and visa. If you entered the U.S. on a previous passport or F-1 visa, also include the previous passport and visa and indicate "current" and "previous" on the corresponding documents.

Form I-20

• Upload all pages of the I-20 issued to you with the OPT recommendation on page 2. This should be the OPT recommendation for the current type of OPT you are applying for. The OPT recommendation on the I-20 may not be more than 30 days old for Pre-Completion OPT and not more than 60 days old for STEM OPT at the time of filing.

Additional Evidence

• Pre-Completion OPT - upload a copy of your transcripts showing one academic year of enrollment.
• Post-Completion OPT - upload copies of any previous CPT or OPT I-20s.
• STEM OPT Extension - upload a copy of your transcripts or diploma to "College Degree" and a copy of your transcripts to "Institution Accreditation."

This section is used to provide information or clarification related to your F-1 status such as previous periods of OPT, authorized CPT, or I-20s issued under a different SEVIS ID number. 

• For previous periods of OPT, include the degree level, OPT type (pre-completion or post-completion), part-time or full-time, and OPT dates.
• For authorized CPT, write the degree level, part-time or full-time, and dates of CPT authorization. (You can reference the second page of your CPT I-20 if needed.)
• For I-20s issued under a different SEVIS ID number, write the SEVIS ID number, program level, name of school, and I-20 dates.