Post-Completion OPT Eligibility Criteria:

• Be a UT Tyler student in valid F-1 status.
• Be enrolled in the final semester of coursework required by academic program OR be within the 60-day grace period following your I-20 program end date.
• Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis, in an approved SEVP-certified institution for at least one full academic year.
• Must not have exceeded 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• Must seek employment directly related to major area of study.
• Submit all required documents and apply within USCIS timelines (described below).
• Note: graduate students pending thesis requirements (defense, etc.) may apply for OPT before graduation as long as all program coursework will be completed by the I-20 program end date.

Procedure to Obtain Your OPT Request I-20 from UT Tyler:

• Submit your completed OPT I-20 Request form
  • You may choose any OPT start date that falls within the 60-day grace period after your Program End Date. For example, if your graduation is April 30th, you may chose any date between May 1st–June 29th as your OPT authorization start date. 
• Pay the $50 OPT Administrative Fee (Instructions)

Recommended Steps for Completing the I-765 Application Online

1. Create your online USCIS account: https://myaccount.uscis.gov/ 
2. Gather the following documents:
   • Digital 2x2 color passport photo with white background
   • A scan of your passport photograph page
   • A scan of your F-1 visa (or change of status approval notice)
   • A scan of the front and back of any previous EAD cards (if applicable)
   • A digital copy of your I-20 with OPT recommendation
     1. The I-20 must be issued no more than 30 days before the I-765 is filed. 
     2. The I-20 must be signed by an advisor at OIP and by you.
   • Your most recent form I-94
     1. https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
     2. Select “Get Most Recent Form I-94”
3. A credit card to pay the filing fee
4. File a form online
   1. Application for Employment Authorization (I-765)
   2. Select filing category (c)(3)(b)

Please note the following timelines: you can submit your I-765 no earlier than 90 days before your program end date. The deadline to submit your I-765 is the last day of your 60-day grace period. Applying outside these dates can result in an automatic denial from USCIS.

You will receive an I-797C Notice of Receipt as soon as you successfully submit your online OPT application. The receipt number in this notice allows you to track your case status using USCIS Case Status Online.

You will receive an automated email from the SEVP Portal with instructions on creating an account on the start date of your OPT. The SEVP Portal is an important tool that F-1 students on OPT use to report the following changes: 

• Update physical home address.
• Update mailing addresses.
• Update telephone numbers.
• Update employer information.
• Monitor employment authorization.

All changes must be reported within 10 days (either within the SEVP portal or directly to OIP). If you do not receive the link by your OPT start date, please contact our office so we can reset your account. 

Maximum Unemployment Days

• You have a total of 90 allowed days of unemployment during your 12 months of OPT.
• Days of unemployment start to accrue on the OPT Start Date on your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
• Unemployment exceeding 90 days during OPT is considered to be a violation of F-1 status. Please contact OIP for additional guidance.