Brotman Hall Room 201
1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840
PH 562-985-4106 • FAX 562-985-1725
cie-student@csulb.edu
Center for International Education
California State University
Long Beach
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING
APPLICATION GUIDE
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for standard, post-completion OPT, if you meet the following criteria:
 You are currently in lawful F-1 status.
 You have been enrolled in a full course of study or equivalent for at least one academic year.
 You are in good academic standing.
 You have completed, or are in the process of completing your degree required coursework.
 You have not already participated in post-completion OPT at your current degree level or exceeded 12 months
of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
When to Apply
Your application timing must be based on the end date of your final semester or session. Apply early! Applications for
OPT may be received by USCIS as early as 90 days before your end date. USCIS will accept OPT applications no later
than 60 days after your end date. USCIS may take up to 90 days to process your application and you may not begin
working until you receive the approval. Plan to apply as early as possible!
How to Apply
Please read the instructions below very carefully. There are 3 Steps to apply for OPT:
Step
1
Prepare your OPT Application
Completed OPT Request Form
Completed Form G-1145
Completed Form I-765— Use black ink only and be sure that your signature does not touch the lines.
Personal check or money order for $380— Made payable to: Department of Homeland Security
Verification of Degree Candidacy— Request from Enrollment Services. (See example.)
A letter from your major advisor, graduate advisor, or department chair. (See example.)
Two ID Photos— U.S. passport style. See attached USCIS Photo Requirements for guidelines.
Photocopies of all your travel and immigration documents:
 Passport Information/Photo page
 I-94 Card (front & back of paper card or
electronic print out)
 Copy of any previously issued EAD cards (front and
back)
 Copy of Visa
 All previously issued I-20s (pages 1 & 3)
Step
2
Step
3
Submit your Application to the CIE Front Desk
Your application will be reviewed and an OPT I-20 will be issued. Allow 7-10 business days for processing.
Pick up your OPT Application and Mail to USCIS
You will receive an email when your OPT Application is ready. Specific mailing instructions will be provided.
Note: Your application must be received by USCIS no later than 30 days after it is signed by the CIE Advisor
or your application will be DENIED.
Brotman Hall Room 201
1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840
PH 562-985-4106 • FAX 562-985-1725
cie-student@csulb.edu
Center for International Education
California State University
Long Beach
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING
REQUEST FORM
Complete this form to request Optional Practical Training. Please complete Section 1 and submit this form, along with your OPT Application
Materials, to the CIE Front Desk. You will be notified via email when your OPT Application and I-20 are ready for pick up.
SECTION 1
To be completed by the student.
Family Name
First Name
Major Department
Gender
Degree Level
 BA
 BS
 MA
 MS
 Certificate
Phone Number
Expected Degree Conferral Date
Email Address
 Yes  No
 Female
Student ID Number
Expected Program End Date
GWAR Requirement Met?
 Male
Street Address
Preferred OPT Start Date*
City, State, Zip Code
Student Signature
Today’s Date
* You may request a preferred OPT Start Date. The date must be no earlier than the day after your program end date, and no later than 60 days
after your program end date. Please note: Once your OPT Application is submitted, requested dates are extremely difficult to change.
SECTION 2
Initial review to be completed by the CIE Front Desk.
 Application Complete:
Received Stamp
 Contact information in MyCSULB account is updated
 I-20 Program End Date: ________________________________
 Passport Expiration Date: ______________________________
 Holds ______________________________________________
 GWAR/WPE status : ______________
 GPA: ___________
Reviewer Signature
Date Submitted to Advisor
SECTION 3
International Student Advisor Approval
 Full-Time for One Academic Year
 Current Semester Full-Time or FCE/RCL in CMS
 Shorten I-20 Program End Date: _________________________
The student’s request for OPT is
Advisor Signature
Decision Date
 Accepted
 Rejected
e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
USCIS
Form G-1145
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
OMB No. 1615-0109
Expires 09/30/2016
What Is the Purpose of This Form?
Use this form to request an electronic notification (e-Notification) when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services accepts your
immigration application. This service is available for applications filed at a USCIS Lockbox facility.
General Information
Complete the information below and clip this form to the first page of your application package. You will receive one e-mail and/or
text message for each form you are filing.
We will send the e-Notification within 24 hours after we accept your application. Domestic customers will receive an e-mail and/or
text message; overseas customers will only receive an e-mail. Undeliverable e-Notifications cannot be resent.
The e-mail or text message will display your receipt number and tell you how to get updated case status information. It will not
include any personal information. The e-Notification does not grant any type of status or benefit; rather it is provided as a convenience
to customers.
USCIS will also mail you a receipt notice (I-797C), which you will receive within 10 days after your application has been accepted;
use this notice as proof of your pending application or petition.
USCIS Privacy Act Statement
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this form is collected pursuant to section 103(a) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act, as amended INA section 101, et seq.
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the information on this form is to request an electronic notification when USCIS
accepts immigration form. The information you provide will be used to send you a text and/or email message.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information may prevent
USCIS from providing you a text and/or email message receipting your immigration form.
ROUTINE USES: The information provide on this form will be used by and disclosed to DHS personnel and contractors in
accordance with approved routine uses, as described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS-USCIS-007 Benefits Information System and DHS-USCIS-001 - Alien File (A-File) and Central Index System (CIS), which can be found at
www.dhs.gov/privacy]. The information may also be made available, as appropriate for law enforcement purposes or in the interest
of national security.
Paperwork Reduction Act
An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at
3 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions and completing and submitting the form. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 20 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20529-2140. OMB No. 1615-0109. Do not mail your completed Form G-1145 to this address.
Complete this form and clip it on top of the first page of your immigration form(s).
Applicant/Petitioner Full Last Name
E-mail Address
Form G-1145 09/15/14 Y
Applicant/Petitioner Full First Name
Applicant/Petitioner Full Middle Name
Mobile Phone Number (Text Message)
Page 1 of 1
OMB No. 1615-0040; Expires 04/30/2016
I-765, Application For
Employment Authorization
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Do not write in this block.
Action Block
Remarks
Fee Stamp
A#
Applicant is filing under §274a.12
until
Application Approved. Employment Authorized / Extended (Circle One)
(Date).
(Date).
Subject to the following conditions:
Application Denied.
Failed to establish eligibility under 8 CFR 274a.12 (a) or (c).
Failed to establish economic necessity under 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(14), (18) and 8 CFR 214.2(f)
I am applying for:
Permission to accept employment.
Replacement (of lost employment authorization document).
Renewal of my permission to accept employment (attach a copy of your previous employment authorization document).
1. Name (Family Name in CAPS) (First)
Which USCIS Office?
(Middle)
Results (Granted or Denied - attach all documentation)
2. Other Names Used (include Maiden Name)
3. U.S. Mailing Address (Street Number and Name)
(Town or City)
(Apt. Number)
(State/Country)
6. Date of Birth
14. Status at Last Entry (B-2 Visitor, F-1 Student, No Lawful Status, etc.)
(State/Province)
(mm/dd/yyyy)
12. Date of Last Entry into the U.S., on or about: (mm/dd/yyyy)
13. Place of Last Entry into the U.S.
(ZIP Code)
4. Country of Citizenship/Nationality
5. Place of Birth (Town or City)
Date(s)
15. Current Immigration Status (Visitor, Student, etc.)
(Country)
16. Go to the “Who May File Form I-765?” section of the instructions. In the
space below, place the letter and number of the eligibility category you
selected from the instructions. (For example, (a)(8), (c)(17)(iii), etc.).
7. Gender
Male
Female
8. Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed
Divorced
9. Social Security Number (Include all numbers you have ever used, if any)
(
C
)
(
3
)
(
B
)
17. If you entered the eligibility category, (c)(3)(C), in Question 16 above, list your
degree, your employer's name as listed in E-Verify, and your employer's EVerify Company Identification Number or a valid E-Verify Client Company
Identification Number in the space below.
10. Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or I-94 Number (if any)
Degree:
11. Have you ever before applied for employment authorization from USCIS?
No (Proceed to
Yes (Complete the following
questions.)
Question 12.)
Employer's Name as listed in E-Verify:
Employer's E-Verify Company Identification Number or a valid E-Verify
Client Company Identification Number
Certification
Your Certification: I certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America, that the foregoing is true and
correct. Furthermore, I authorize the release of any information that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services needs to determine
eligibility for the benefit I am seeking. I have read the “Who May File Form I-765?” section of the instructions and have identified
the appropriate eligibility category in Question 16.
Signature
Telephone Number
Date
Signature of Person Preparing Form, If Other Than Above: I declare that this document was prepared by me at the
request of the applicant and is based on all information of which I have any knowledge.
Print Name
Remarks
Signature
Address
Initial Receipt
Resubmitted
Date
Relocated
Received
Sent
Approved
Completed
Denied
Returned
Form I-765 08/06/14 Y
How to fill out Form I-765 for Standard OPT
Permission to
accept employment
Skip these questions
if you answered
“NO” to #11
Make sure you put an
address where you will
be for the next 4 - 5
months. (This address
should be the same as on
your mycsulb account.)
I-94 number: the
11-digit number at the
top of the white card in
your passport
(C) (3) (B)
Check “no”, unless you
have applied for a work
permit previously, such
as Severe Economic
Hardship & previous
OPT. CPT & on-campus
do not apply.
Leave blank.
Please make sure your signature is
inside the lines and does not touch or
cross the lines.
Correct
Incorrect
MKL 2012
USCIS Photo Requirements Be sure that your photos meet the list of USCIS requirements below. Both photos should be identical and taken within the past 30 days. Photo should show full face, front view, eyes open. Head should be centered within the frame. Background should be plain white or off‐white. There should be no distracting shadows on the face or background. Face should have a natural expression. Figure 2. Head Position & Placement
Examples of Well-Composed Photos
Center for International Education
California State University
Long Beach
Brotman Hall Room 201
1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840
PH 562-985-4106 • FAX 562-985-1725
cie-student@csulb.edu
OPT PRACTICAL TRAINING
MODEL LETTER FROM DEPARTMENT ADVISOR/CHAIR
This letter should be completed by the requesting student’s Major Advisor, Graduate Advisor, or Department Chair. The purpose
of this letter is to confirm that the requesting international student is on track to complete all degree required coursework by the
date indicated, as well as to recommend a period of standard Optional Practical Training for the student.

Please be sure that the letter is either printed on department letterhead or has the department stamp.
Attention: International Student Advisor
Center for International Education
(Student’s Name) is a (graduate / undergraduate) student in the department
of _____________. S/he (has completed/is expecting to complete all degree
required courses for a (BA/BS/MA/MS/Certificate) on (date). The above
mentioned student (has completed / will complete her/his thesis /project/
comprehensive exam) on (date).
The student’s major field of study is _________________________ and a
period of practical training is recommended to allow the student an
opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the U.S.
Sincerely,
(Advisor’s signature, name, and contact information)
REQUESTING STUDENT
First Name
Last Name
Student ID
Telephone #
Email Address
Today’s Date