F-1 Optional Practical Training Pre/Post Completion

Request Form
Section A. To be completed by the Student (Pre- or Post- Completion OPT)
Family Name: __________________________

First Name: ___________________ Middle Name: _______________

(As appears on the passport and visa)

Non-Drexel Email: ________________________

Drexel ID#: ___________________ Phone #: ( ____ ) ______-_______

Requested Dates of OPT (Choose one of the following):

Pre-Completion OPT:

Start Date: ____/____/____ (mm/dd/yy)

End Date: ____/____/____ (mm/dd/yy)

Post-Completion OPT: Start Date: ____/____/____ (mm/dd/yy)

End Date: ____/____/____ (mm/dd/yy)

Note: The student will need to choose a date that is within the 60 day-grace period from graduation date for Post-Completion OPT and
any dates for Pre-OPT. Once dates are entered in the system, they cannot be changed. In case of cancellation of the application, please
email ISSS at isss@drexel.edu.
Please read and check the boxes:
I am responsible for archiving all my I-20s, any documents related to my F-1 non-immigrant status, and the documents
related to this application
I confirm that I have collected all the required documents to attend the OPT Submission Session.
(Applicable to Post-Completion OPT) I have confirmed with my academic program/advisor that I am eligible to graduate as
scheduled, and that I do not have any outstanding/incomplete courses/grades.
I understand that the outcome of the Pre/Post Completion OPT application is up to the United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS), and that I am responsible for the requirements of this application.
By signing below I verify that I have read the above statements and have followed the related instructions.
Students Signature: X _________________________________

Todays Date: ____/____/____

(mm/dd/yy)

Section B. To be completed by the Academic Advisor (for Post-Completion OPT only)

Please confirm students program or coursework completion below. Any changes to the program information require a new request or
written confirmation from the advisor. If the student has incomplete courses/grades, he/she is ineligible to apply for OPT. According
to the regulations, the degree completion date is the date when the student completes all of his/her degree requirements, not the date of
the graduation ceremony.
Bachelors and Masters Degree (For BS/MS degree, the Graduate Advisor must confirm degree completion by signing below).
Expected term of completion of all the degree requirements: ____/____/____ (mm/dd/yy)
Doctorate Degree: Date of completion of all the course requirements (excluding the dissertation or equivalent credits)
____/____/____ (mm/dd/yy)
Note: PhD students can apply for OPT after the completion of all the course requirements while working on their dissertation. In this
case, students must continue to make normal progress towards their degree completion and inform ISSS of the degree completion.
During this time, students must be enrolled part-time.
Section C. To be signed by the Academic Advisor
I certify that I am the students academic advisor, and I confirm that this student has or will complete the degree program/course
requirement on the date indicated above.
Advisers Name: ____________________________________

E-mail: _________________________

Academic Advisers Signature: X _______________________________________

Drexel University International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS)

Creese Student Center, Suite 210, Phone: (215) 895-2502, Fax: (215)-895-6617, Email: isss@drexel.edu

Todays Date:

Phone Ext.__________
____/____/____(mm/dd/yy)

Rev.2/12/2015

Documents Checklist
Review and collect/complete the following documents before requesting an OPT Submission Session appointment to
isss@drexel.edu:
F-1 Optional Practical Training Pre/Post Completion Request Form (Academic Advisors signature is required for a PostCompletion OPT request.)
Note: This form will only be submitted to ISSS and will not be included in the final application package being sent out to the
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
I-765 (you can find instructions on filling out this form here)
Note: You will have to use a valid mailing address (for the next 6 months) to where you want to receive all the
communication from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) directly. Keep in mind that ISSS is not
responsible for any loss or delay of your OPT application. For questions on this matter you should contact the USCIS directly
at 1-800-375-5283.
Personal Check or money order for $380.00 payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Photocopy of all current and previous I-20s, since first arrival in the U.S.
Two passport size Photos (2 x 2). Photos should be taken within the last 30 days. For more information on photo
composition specifications, please visit: 1.usa.gov/1s8K6UC. Softly print your first and last name and the I-94# at the back of
each photo.
o Photos should be printed on thin photo-quality paper.
o Photos must be in color.
o All hats or headgear should be removed for the photo. In all cases, no item or attire should cover or otherwise
obscure any part of the face.
o Eyeglasses worn on a daily basis can be worn for the photo. However, there should be no reflections from the
eyeglasses that obscure the eyes. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless
you need them for medical reasons.
Photocopy of the biographical information page of an unexpired Passport, which is still valid for the next 6 months in the
future, or a photocopy of the passport renewal application.
Photocopy of F1 Visa page (where picture and expiration date are shown.)
Copy of the most current I-94 Information. If you have travelled outside the U.S. after May 2013, you can retrieve your I-94
information here: 1.usa.gov/1cX3NTn; otherwise, a photocopy of the I-94 admission card (front and back.)
A support letter if any of the required documents are missing (i.e. lost I-20s, previous EAD cards, etc.)
Note: You can download sample letter templates from here.
If applicable, photocopy of all previous EAD card(s) (front and back.)
Mailing the Application to USCIS
After your attendance to an OPT submission session, an ISSS advisor will issue a new I-20 for you (2 copies, one to be put into the
application package along with the above-mentioned documents, and one for yourself.) You need to sign the I-20s before using them.
You will also be provided with the address to where you need to send the documents.
You should send your application either via UPS or Fedex, and keep the tracking information. Also, per the agreement you signed on the
OPT Request Form, you are responsible for archiving all your I-20s, any documents related to your F-1 non-immigrant status, and the
documents related to this application. Your OPT application must be received by the USCIS within 30 days of the I-20 issuance date.
The order of the documents that goes into the package is as follows:
Two passport size Photos (2 x 2)
Personal Check or money order for $380.00 payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
I-765
I-20 issued by the ISSS advisor after the submission session
Photocopy of all current and previous I-20s in a chronological order
Photocopy of unexpired Passport or a photocopy of the passport renewal application
Photocopy of F1 Visa page
Copy of the I-94 Information
If applicable, photocopy of all previous EAD card(s) (front and back)
Drexel University International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS)
Creese Student Center, Suite 210, Phone: (215) 895-2502, Fax: (215)-895-6617, Email: isss@drexel.edu

Rev.2/12/2015