The document provides instructions for international students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT). It outlines the required application documents which include an OPT Acknowledgement Form, I-20 Maintenance Fee receipt, OPT status letter, forms I-765 and G-1145, photocopies of passports and previous I-20s, an I-94 printout, passport photos, and the USCIS processing fee. It reviews each document in detail and provides tips for completing them correctly. Students are advised to choose an OPT start date within 60 days of their program end date and consider processing times when selecting dates.

1. OPT ONLINE COURSE
▪ REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
▪ CHOOSING YOUR START DATE
LESSON 2
Bentley University Center for International Students and Scholars
175 Forest Street, Student Center, Suite 310
Waltham, MA 02452 781 891-2829
bentley.edu/ciss
GA_CISS@bentley.edu

2. In this lesson you will:
Learn about preparing and completing
required application documents

3. The list of required application documents with links to download can
be found on the Optional Practical Training section of the CISS
website:
http://www.bentley.edu/campus-life/culture-diversity/international-students-and-scholars/optional-practical-training-opt
Some documents are for just the CISS, and others will be mailed to
USCIS. You must complete all documents for review by the CISS.
• OPT Acknowledgement Form
• $150 CISS SEVIS maintenance fee receipt
• OPT status letter (to obtain from Registrar’s office)
• USCIS Form i765
• USCIS Form G1145
• Photocopies of current and previously-issued I-20s
• Photocopy of F-1 visa
• Photocopy of passport biographical page
• I94 print out
• Photocopies of any previous EAD cards
• Check or money order
• Two (new) passport-style 2x2 photos
Forms are updated regularly by USCIS, so make sure to use most
recent links from CISS website.

4. While you can submit application documents to the CISS
electronically for review, you will need to print for USCIS.
 No staples
 One-sided
 Neatly printed or
electronically filled
 Good quality
 Regulations
regarding
electronic
signatures during
COVID19 period
are strict– we
recommend
original signatures
on documents

5. Now we will review each form…

6. We’ll start with the
Post-Completion OPT Acknowledgement Form

7. OPT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
This CISS form acknowledges that you
understand the F-1 regulations during
OPT, which you learned about in Lesson
1.
Fill out all of the information, and
sign/date on the back at the bottom.
Keep a copy of this form for your future
reference, as it lists all of the
regulations you must follow during
your OPT period.

8. OPT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
This form is also how to inform the
CISS of your requested start date.
Keep a copy of this form for your
future reference, as it lists all of the
regulations you must follow during
your OPT period.

9. OPT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
The Requested start of your OPT must be:
Within 60 days of the end date on your I-20

10. CHOOSING YOUR
OPT START DATE

11. F-1 regulations state that
OPT authorization must
begin within 60 days of the
Program End Date on your I-
20.
CHOOSING YOUR OPT START DATE

12. Remember: Your I-20
Program End Date must
match the date that you
complete your program of
study. Typically, this date
will be the last day of finals
of your final semester.
Check with CISS if you are
unsure of your I-20 Program
End Date or if it is no longer
correct.

13. THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN
CHOOSING YOUR START DATE…
• Week days vs. weekends
• Job prospects
• Planned vacations
• The typical amount of time it will
take for USCIS to process your
OPT application is 90 days.
It is not possible to expedite an OPT
application with USCIS, or accurately
predict how long it will take for it to
be processed.

14. The start/end dates that
you select will be entered
into SEVIS and appear on
page 2 of your new OPT I-
20.
Once the dates are
entered into SEVIS, they
cannot be changed.

15. There are many variables that could affect the
speed at which your application is adjudicated.
If your application is delayed, USCIS has the
authority to shift your selected start date to
ensure that you receive the full amount of your
OPT benefit.

16. This is a timeline showing how the USCIS processing time affects when
you can begin working.
Here, notice that the application is mailed well before the I-20 program
end date (end of the semester), resulting in receiving the EAD before
the selected OPT start date.

17. This student can start working on their selected OPT start date only
because EAD card has been received.

18. However, if the application is mailed late in the semester, the 90
days of USCIS processing time extends past the student’s
selected OPT start date.

19. Even if USCIS moves the start date to the latest possible date, this student will lose
some OPT time because:
 you cannot begin working until you receive your EAD
 OPT authorization must end no later than 14 months after the I-20 program end
date

20. YOU CAN PRINT THE FORM BELOW AND FILL IT OUT
TO HELP YOU CALCULATE!

21. Remember, that you cannot begin
working until you receive your EAD
card.
(Also Remember: once you have your EAD, you
still cannot begin working until the start date
indicated on the card.)

22. I-20 Maintenance Fee
What is the fee for?
The I-20 Maintenance Fee covers:
• Record Maintenance on OPT
• OPT Advising
• OPT Employer Updates
• Complimentary Tax Software
• All other CISS Resources
... after you graduate from Bentley
The fee is payable online on the OPT section of the CISS website. The link is also available on the main
page of the Blackboard Course. *You must pay the fee before you apply for OPT*

23. I-20 MAINTENANCE FEE RECEIPT
The following is a printable receipt given after paying the fee
online:
You must print the receipt and include it with the documents you bring to the
CISS.

24. STATUS LETTER FROM THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE
You must request an OPT Status Letter by completing the form at the Office of
the Registrar. You must wait to receive the actual status letter (not the
Request Form), which can take 1-2 weeks.
Visit the Registrar’s website: www.bentley.edu/offices/registrar
Or Visit them in-person to request the OPT Status Letter

25. This form gives permission to USCIS to
notify you via text or email when your
OPT application is received at the lockbox
facility. Further communication about
your OPT application will only be through
regular US mail.
Download Form G-1145 from the
website.
FORM G-1145

26. FORM I-765
We recommend that you type the
information on the I-765, then
print and sign it
The I765 is updated regularly by
USCIS. Make sure you submit the
most recent I765, by checking the
USCIS website:
https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
Follow the I-765 Sample*
*Provided for you on website and in the Blackboard
Course

27. REMINDER FROM LESSON 1: Which mailing
address should you choose on the I-765?
USE YOUR HOME ADDRESS IF:
▪you are sure you will be living at that
address at least 90 days after you
mail your application to USCIS.
▪you have no problems with receiving
mail at your address.
USE THE CISS ADDRESS IF:
▪you will be moving after you mail your
application to USCIS
▪you will be out of town/out of the country
while your OPT application is in process
with USCIS
▪you are unsure where you will be living
approximately 90 days after you mail your
OPT application to USCIS

28. Some questions on the I-765 will ask for I-94/recent travel
information. You can access your I-94 the following link
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94. You can also find info. about your most
recent entry to the U.S. on the entry stamp of your passport.
date of entry
place of entry

29. CERTIFICATION
Your OPT application is scanned into the USCIS system, and the signature on
your EAD is taken from your Form I-765. If your signature extends beyond the
line, it may cause an error and delay your application.
Make sure you sign the I-765 using BLUE INK PEN. Black or other ink color is
not acceptable for the signature.
Your Signature Here

30. PASSPORT
Make a photocopy of your passport
biographical / expiration date page(s).
Make sure your photocopies are clear.
Color or black & white are both
acceptable.
You do not need to submit copies of any
expired passports.

31. F-1 VISA
Make a photocopy of your
most recent F-1 visa.
Make sure your photocopies are clear.
Color or black & white are both
acceptable.
It is okay if your most recent visa has
expired – just remember that you will
need to apply for a new F-1 visa if you
plan to travel outside the US and re-
enter during your OPT period.

32. Produce a copy of ALL of your I-20s from the
time that you have been in the US.
All copies should be single-sided. Do NOT
staple the pages together.
ALL Previously Issued I-20s

35. NOTE: If you can’t find all previous I-20s it’s OKAY.
Use the template below to write a letter to USCIS explaining the dates the I-20
purpose:

36. I-94
Look up your I-94 information on the
US Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) website:
1. Go to
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
2. Click on “Get Most Recent I-94”
3. Enter your passport information
4. Submit
Download and print. No need to print
out travel history as well.

37. I-94
If your most recent entry to the US
was on a passport that has since
expired, you will need to enter your
expired passport information in
order to retrieve your I-94
information.
If the I-94 information is outdates or
incorrect, contact
GA_ciss@bentley.edu.

38. PASSPORT PHOTOS
Passport Photos MUST meet these requirements:
• Taken in last 60 days
• Must be color photos
• Never been used before
• Must meet USCIS Guidelines
Guidelines for acceptable photos can
be found on the US State Department’s photo
guide:
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/pa
ssports/photos/photo-composition-
template.html

39. Each country has different requirements for
passport/immigration document photos. The
photos you had taken in your home country
may not meet the specific requirements of
USCIS.
We highly recommend photos be taken by
a professional service such as select US
Post Office locations, CVS or Walgreens.
Unacceptable photos will result in a Request
For Evidence from USCIS and a delay in
receiving your EAD or rejection of your
application.
PASSPORT PHOTOS

40. (IF APPLICABLE) PREVIOUS EAD Card
If you answered “Yes” to question
12 on the Form I-765, submit 2
photocopies of the front and back
of your previously-issued EAD.

41. USCIS PROCESSING FEE- To complete your
application
You must also submit the USCIS processing fee
along with your OPT application.
• The fee is $410 (note: fee has not increased)
• Payment can be made by check or money order,
payable to Department of Homeland Security.
• You may now pay via credit card. See USCIS
website for instructions: https://www.uscis.gov/i-
765
• If you write a check, it must be from a US bank
account.
• If you do not have checks, you can get a Money
Order from a bank, Post Office, or CVS.

42. USCIS PROCESSING FEE- Money Order
A money order is a one-time check made in exchange for cash and a
small fee. They can be purchased at CVS, Walgreens, a Bank, or Post
Office. MoneyGram is one example of a money order.
Department of Homeland Security
Your Signature
Your Address
Tear off the
receipt and
keep it as a
record!
If you’re not sure how to do it, ask the cashier or bank teller for help!

43. USCIS PROCESSING FEE- Check
A personal check must be from a U.S. Bank Account. (preferably
your own). Make sure to fill out the information appropriately.
Samantha Student
175 Forest Street
Waltham, MA 02452
02/02/2017
Department of Homeland Security 410.00
Four hundred and ten and 00/100 cents ----------------------------
I-765 Application Fee Samantha
Student

44. NEXT STEP: 1. TAKE QUIZ #2 TO COMPLETE ONLINE COURSE
2. ARRANGE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
3. SUBMIT TO CISS

45. COMPLETE QUIZ #2
THEN YOU MAY APPLY FOR
OPT!