OPT Information

1. Submit OPT request from the Office of International Services (OIS)

Step 1: Please check your I-20 and make sure that your program end date. If you need to shorten your program end date, please fill out Change of Program End Date Request (under ‘Student Services’) to shorten your program end date.

Step 2: Log into the portal at: https://suncas.trine.edu

Note: Once you complete the OPT application in the new immigration resource portal, it will take approximately 5-10 business days for processing.

Please do NOT apply with USCIS until you complete the instructions, and until you receive your an I-20 with an OPT recommendation (check the back of I-20).

2. Prepare Documentation

1. I-20 with an OPT recommendation (OPT I-20) *Must be issued in the last 30 days
2. 2 digital 2x2 color passport photos *This should be taken in the last 30 days
3. Passport photograph page
4. Most recent Form I-94
5. I-20s with CPT or OPT information (if applicable)
   
   If you had past CPT experience, you may be asked to show documentation (by previous I-20s), if any. 
   
   *Note: The Office of International Services does NOT keep record of this. This is the student’s responsibility. 
   
   
6. Previous EAD cards (if applicable)
7. Credit card, debit card to pay for $410 filing fee

Please see additional instructions and notes below that will help as you fill out the USCIS I-765 form online:

• OPT application must be filed in US
  *Note: may not apply outside of the US. USCIS officials will see your IP address.
• OPT application must be filed with USCIS within 30 days of receiving OPT-requested I-20.
• Upload files allowed: PDF, TIF, Jpeg, PNG
  • No special characters when saving files (ex: @,#, etc.).
  • Only one (1) passport photo required.  Please see their instructions on size of photo to upload.
  • Online signature will suffice on I-20 with online I-765.

3. Apply for OPT via USCIS 

Once you receive I-20 with OPT recommendation, please review, print, and sign before uploading to your OPT application via USCIS. 

Create an account of I-765 online form with USCIS at: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 

• When filling out any online form, note that each answer prompts the next question.
• For initial OPT (not Pre-Completion or STEM OPT, but Initial Post Completion OPT), be sure to select (c )(3)(b).

 

• Once the application is done, the form takes you to pay.gov for students to pay the requested cost with a debit or credit card.  Once you have paid, the application is submitted and in the queue for processing.
• If you need to change something in their account (such as address), you are able to update in their new USCIS account.

If you find that you made an error in your submitted application (ex, BDay), you may add unsolicited evidence with a letter of explanation.

You as the applicant will receive an immediate case number, and link to check the status.  You may opt into getting an email or text with updates on your status.

4. Pending Application

Traditional USCIS processing time has been 90 days or more.

If you wish to check the case status:  https://egov.uscis.gov/ 

If your case has been pending for more than 5 months: You can submit the case inquiry at  https://egov.uscis.gov/e-Request/Intro.do 

5. OPT Approval and SEVP Portal

Once your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) is issued and the start date on your EAD card arrives (or within 1-2 days after the start date), you will receive an email from SEVP with instructions on creating a SEVP Portal account.

If you receive an RFE with Trine documentation requirements, you can request RFE support letter, syllabi, and attendance report by filling out the Request for Evidence (RFE) Form. Processing this with the Graduate School and Office of International Services will take approximately 2-3 weeks.

If you respond to the RFE again, the waiting time to receive a secondary response from the adjudicator is roughly 2 weeks.

Please note, the other requested documentation from USCIS is your responsibility to collect, order, etc.:

Examples:

• I-20s – All I-20s are the student’s responsibility.  We do not hold old I-20s at Trine. 
• Trine transcript: https://www.trine.edu/resources/registrar/transcripts.aspx
• CPT Agreements (if you participated): Find the CPT agreement in your CPT Moodle class. It is mentioned there to save all of your agreements. It is your responsibility to save all documents from each of your CPT courses.   
• Receipts for books, tuitions, fees (your responsibility)
• US residence (use bill, bank statement)
• Diplomas (if applicable) 

Unemployment Days: Total of 90 days unemployment for OPT, 150 days for STEM Extension.

If you have a job offer that DIRECTLY relates to your study, you will need to request OPT employer add as a new employer. Once we receive your request, we will update it in SEVP on your behalf. 

Students have a responsibility to only engage in practical training opportunities that are directly related to the student's major area of study. 

Once you complete the e- request form in the portal, it will take approximately 3-5 business days for processing.

Step 1: Log into the portal at: https://suncas.trine.edu

A student on STEM OPT who resigns, is fired, or laid off or otherwise stops working for their STEM employer:

A "Final Evaluation" is always required when leaving an employer, even if it is not the end of the STEM EAD/the 24-month evaluation. A student will need to upload the bottom portion of Page 5 of Form I-983 as part of their submission.

 

Please make sure submit the last form (‘OPT submit Employment Information Update’).  

STEM Extension Application 

You can submit your STEM OPT extension application to USCIS as early as 90 days prior to the end of your current OPT period. You can check your OPT expiration date on your EAD Card.

Once you complete the STEM Extension application in the portal, it will take approximately 3-5 business days for processing.

Step 1: Log into the portal at: https://suncas.trine.edu

Trine is required to report to the U.S. government your continued participation in this employment segment at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of the period for you to remain in active status. 

Please complete a STEM OPT Reporting application. Note that if you are reporting for the 12 or 24 months segment you will need to upload an updated I-193.

If you need to change your personal information (address, email address, etc.) please do so by completing the form by following link: 

https://suncas.trine.edu/istart/controllers/start/StartEngine.cfm

Please go to ‘Student Service’ then ‘Change of Personal Information’. Once you submit the form, please allow for 3-5 business days to update your information.

Traveling on OPT can be risky due to stricter immigration policies. Review the situations below and plan accordingly to minimize risk of traveling during your OPT period.

Pending OPT Application 

It is not advisable to travel outside of the US before your OPT is approved and you have your EAD Card in your hand. If your OPT application faced rejection or denial while you are outside the US, you may not be able to re-entering.

If you choose to travel while your OPT application is still pending, and plan to return the U.S. if F-1 status, we suggests carrying the following documents for re-entry:

• Valid Passport
• Valid Visa
• I-20 with OPT Recommendation from the International Center with a Travel Signature (signature is valid for 6 months only when on OPT)
• I-797 Notice of Action Receipt (indicates USCIS has received your application)
• If you have a future job offer, bring a letter as proof you will pursue OPT once your EAD card is approved.

Approved OPT Application 

Once your OPT is approved, and you have your EAD card, you can travel internationally. You can return the U.S. either before or after the start date on your EAD card.

To ensure a smooth return to the US, please have the following documents on your hand:

• Valid Passport
• Valid Visa
• I-20 with OPT Recommendation from the International Center with a Travel Signature (signature is valid for 6 months only when on OPT)
• EAD Card
• Proof of Employment During OPT:
  • Job Offer Letter
  • Letter from Employer
  • If no employment, evidence of your active job search.

Pending STEM OPT Extension Application 

If your existing EAD is expired, we strongly advise against travel while your STEM OPT Extension is awaiting approval. It is not possible for you to return and resume employment.

If your current (Post-Completion OPT) EAD card has a future expiration date, and your STEM OPT application is pending, you will need to prepare the following documents to re-enter to the U.S.:

• Valid Passport
• Valid Visa
• I-20 with STEM OPT Recommendation from the International Center with a Travel Signature (signature is valid for 6 months only when on OPT)
• EAD Card (not expired)
• Proof of Employment During OPT: 
  
  • Job Offer Letter
  • Letter from Employer
  • If unemployment, evidence of active job search.

Approved STEM OPT Extension 

Upon the approval of your STEM OPT, if you decide to travel internationally and plan to return to the US, please ensure you have the following documents.

• Valid Passport
• Valid Visa
• I-20 with STEM OPT Recommendation from the International Center with a Travel Signature (signature is valid for 6 months only when on OPT)
• EAD Card
• Proof of Employment During OPT: 
  
  • Job Offer Letter
  • Letter from Employer
  • If no employment, evidence of your active job search.

Cap-Gap Extension Period

While under a Cap-Gap Extension of OPT, you have the option to travel. However there are specific conditions to meet, and it’s crucial not to depart the US while your H-1B application is still pending.

we strongly recommend you speak to your immigration representative/attorney for advice about your immigration status and the impact travel will have.

Travel abroad and returning to the U.S. during a Cap-Gap Extension is permissible if:

• Your Change of Status to H-1B has been approved
• You return to the U.S. in F-1 status before the start date of your H-1B.
• You have maintained for F-1 status

The documents you will need to travel during Cap-Gap Extension period include:

• Valid Passport
• Valid Visa
• I-20 with Cap-Gap Extension from the International Center with a Travel Signature (signature is valid for 6 months only when on OPT)
• EAD Card
• I-797 Approval Notice of the H-1B Change of Status
• Proof of Employment During OPT/Cap-Gap Extension: 
  
  • Job Offer Letter
  • Letter from Employer

My OPT is still pending. What should I do?

Traditional USCIS processing time has been 90 days or more. Please see ‘Pending Application’ under the OPT Application.

What is the contact number for USCIS?

You may contact the USCIS National Customer Service number 1-800-375-5283 (Monday to Friday 8am-6pm).

My OPT has been approved but I have not received my EAD. What do I have to do?

You can call your local US Post Office to see if they have any record of your EAD shipment. If not, please call the USCIS Customer Service Number 1-800-375-5283 to see if your EAD Card was returned to them or if your EAD was lost in the mail. 

EAD was returned to USCIS: you can request that they reship it to you. This can take up to 30 days. 

EAD was lost in the mail: you will have to request a replacement. Once you receive the receipt for the replacement, you can work for up to 90 days while you wait for the new EAD Card from USCIS.

My SEVP portal got locked, can you unlock this?

Please try to login at https://sevp.ice.gov/opt/#/login. Your SEVP portal will lock you out after three failed attempts. If it gets locked, please email your respective DSO and they will reset your account.