Notice updated 07/08/2013 – Recent changes from USCIS
To those F-1 students who have applied for OPT,
This message is to assist those of you who have applied for OPT and OPT STEM Extensions.
 If you already have your approved OPT with the Employment Authorization
Document/Card (EAD), then you need not read further. However, do please keep your
OPT record up-to-date by using the website:
http://www.mnsu.edu/international/currentstudents/f-1/opt/info_update.php

If you have yet to send in your OPT materials, please read on for a very important
warning. Recently, USCIS has been very strict in OPT processing. In the past, when
there were questions or items missing, the USCIS/Immigration office would send back a
“Request For Evidence” (RFE). We have heard nationwide, there have been denials of
OPT for minor items such as having a signature or recommendation beyond 30 days.
While that part of the instructions has been present, it seems that USCIS is denying cases
instead of requesting a more recent signature via RFE. See Instructions:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765instr.pdf - Therefore, you need to check to make
sure your recommendation and signature on the I-20 from you and from ISSS (most often
me) is within 30 days before you send your OPT materials in to USCIS.

If you are still waiting for your OPT to be approved, note that this 30 day signature issue
has not been consistent at every USCIS/Immigration Service Center. It appears one
USCIS Service Center (Lincoln) is being more strict than others. This inconsistency may
be addressed nationwide. We cannot predict, our intention is to bring awareness to this
recent change in USCIS practice.

If your OPT packet is returned from USCIS, before sending back in, check the date to
make sure the OPT recommendation and signature is within 30 days. If over, contact the
ISSS to request a new I-20 with an updated OPT recommendation.
See below for the relevant section in the I-765 instructions (section in blue highlighted by me).
All should also be continually ensuring your OPT information is updated by using the website:
http://www.mnsu.edu/international/currentstudents/f-1/opt/info_update.php
Thanks for your attention and we wish this were not happening to students who completed their
studies then applied for and paid $380 for OPT – it is not fair on such a small technicality. So,
we wanted to ensure you are informed.