SEVP stated that designated school officials must ensure that F-1 students submit their Forms I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, for optional practical training within the 30-day period after authorization for OPT in SEVIS, and thereafter to provide students with an updated Form I-20.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) would like to remind Designated School Officials (DSO) to ensure that F-1
Students submit their Forms I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization”, for optional
practical training (OPT) within the 30-day period after the DSO:

• Authorizes the student to OPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
(SEVIS), and

• Provides the student with an updated Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for
Nonimmigrant Student Status ”, approved for OPT

Please note that DSOs must complete these two steps above before the student submits Form I765. DSOs must ensure that students applying for OPT are aware of these requirements and submit their Forms I-765 along with all required documentation within the specified 30-day period. Additional information and resources to help students apply for OPT are available at the Optional Practical Training Page for F-1 Students en USCIS.gov.