F-1 STUDENT OPT APPLICATION CHECKLIST

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & SCHOLAR SERVICES

OPT APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Part I: Prepare the required documents listed below for your post-completion OPT application. Visit access the application forms. Follow all instructions carefully. Once you have the completed list of materials, bring your application to an ISSS advisor during walk-in hours for review. Please allow five business days for processing.

Part II: You will receive an email when your application is ready for pick up during walk-in hours at ISSS. When you come, you will need to sign your OPT I-20 and review your application. You will be responsible for sending your application to USCIS. Remember that it must arrive at their facility within 30 days of the date your OPT I-20 was printed as well as within 30 days of the date on your Form I-765.

Part III: Within two weeks of sending your application we should receive an I-797 Notice of Receipt for your application for you. We will send a scan of this to you via email. Please be sure to review it carefully. Check the spelling of your name and your date of birth. If there are any errors, contact an ISSS advisor immediately.

Part IV: When your EAD card has arrived, you will receive an email from ISSS notifying you. If you are no longer in Nashville, you will need to prepare a shipping label via eshipglobal to have the card sent to you.

Student Name: Date application was sent to USCIS:

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Vanderbilt ISSS OPT Application—Thisapplication must be completed fully and have an original signature from both you and your advisor.

Check or money order for $410 made payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security—forpersonal checks, the account holder’s name and address must be printed on the check.

Two passport photos taken within the last 30 days—writeyour full name and I-94# on the back

Form G-1145 (original)

Form I-765 (original)

Signed OPT I-20 (photocopy, 1st and 2nd pages only)—This will be provided by ISSS when you come to pick up your application.

Most recent I-94 admission record (photocopy)—electronicor paper, include front and back if you have a paper I-94

Passport ID page from current passport (photocopy)—include the page(s) with your biographical info and the passport expiration date

Most Recent F-1 Entry Visa StampORF-1 Entry Stamp from passport for Canadian students (photocopy)

Previous EAD card(s), if any (photocopy of front and back)

Previous OPT I-20s, if any (photocopy of front and back)

CPT Information Page from SEVIS record (provided by ISSS)

SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO USCIS

You are responsible for sending your application to USCIS. We strongly recommend that you use a courier services such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL. If you choose to send it via USPS you should use the express mail option. It is important to be able to track the application and document that it was delivered. The filing addresses are below.

USCIS Dallas Lockbox filing address for FedEx, UPS, DHL / USCIS Dallas Lockbox filing address for USPS
USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
Phone: 800.375.5283 / USCIS
P.O. Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266

International Student & Scholar Services, Vanderbilt Fax: 615-343-7799

310 25th Avenue South Suite 109, Nashville, TN 37240 USA Phone: 615-322-2753

Revised 11/2017

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