Opt approval notice. Employment must be directly related to their major .

Opt approval notice OPT is available before and after completing your program of study. Reply reply Ok-Zebra-1493 • Yes. Form I-797 is NOT a form you can fill out. The purpose of the Approval Notice can be understood, as it notifies the applicant that the OPT case is approved. However, the case status on the uscis website still shows as “Case Decision”. Along with other documents, you must bring your I-765 Receipt Notice as proof that you have applied for OPT. Whether you file online or by mail, within 2 - 3 weeks of filing your OPT application, USCIS will send you a paper receipt notice (Form I-797) to mailing address you provided on the I-765. It allows students to get real-world work experience related to their field of study. Approval Notice - usually arrives a few weeks before the EAD card or with the EAD card (approximately 90 days after you apply) Jan 13, 2025 · Certain F-1 students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). Your Employment Authorization Documents should arrive about 2 weeks after receiving the Approval Notice. Travel while STEM OPT is Pending You can travel abroad and re-enter the US using your expired Post-Completion OPT EAD card and the original I-797 Receipt Notice for your timely filed STEM OPT application. Do we have to fill in form I-824. The DSO will submit the OPT recommendation in SEVIS and process a new OPT requested I-20. . Submit a copy of your OPT Receipt Notice, OPT Approval Documents and your EAD through the OPT Reporting Hub Report your employer, or changes to your employment status within 10 days to ISSS by completing an OPT Employment Update in the OPT Reporting Hub every time your employment changes. The tricky part is for students, who applied for H1B with a pending/ approved Change of Status (COS) petition with USCIS. A student on Post-Completion OPT can work in the U. The current filing fee is $410. It’s only been 4 hours since I received the email. If you are applying for Pre- or Post-Completion OPT: Your I-765 application MUST be approved by USCIS and you must have your EAD before you begin working. STEM OPT Extension (Prior Degree) Eligibility Requirements Jan 17, 2025 · The “cap-gap” period starts when an F-1 student’s status and employment authorization expires and, unless terminated, ends on April 1 of the fiscal year for which the H-1B status is being requested or until the validity start date of the approved petition, whichever is earlier. Apr 10, 2024 · What Is an EAD Approval Notice? An EAD Approval Notice, also known as Form I-797, Notice of Action, is a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to confirm the approval of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) application. address. Has anyone faced this issue previously? Sep 2, 2022 · What is the issue to renew a Driving License during OPT Cap Gap? Most of the DMVs in the US issue Driver’s licenses for F1 students on OPT until the end of their OPT or STEM OPT. Upload OPT Receipt Notice, Upload OPT Approval Notice, Upload EADReport OPT/STEM Employment InformationEmail Changes For Graduated Students On OPTSTEM OPT V E xpired Post-Completion OPT EAD card and the original I-797 Notice of Receipt issued by USCIS in response to your STEM OPT application (only if your application is pending); Apr 1, 2024 · Once your OPT is processed and approved by USCIS, you should receive an I-797 Notice of Approval letter. Jun 4, 2024 · Approval Case Decision Rendered status on Form I-129 indicates USCIS decision. They are considered to be in cap-gap period. Oct 3, 2024 · USCIS uses various versions of Form I-797, Notice of Action, to communicate with filers or grant immigration benefits. STEM OPT: If you graduated from a specialized degree in qualifying STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields and have a job offer from an E‐Verify employer, you are eligible for an additional, 24‐month extension of your OPT work authorization. The STEM OPT Extension is a type of work authorization specific to F-1 students who have graduated from an approved STEM field in the U. Can I work while waiting for the USCIS’s approval? No. For example, if Form I-130, a petition to bring a relative to live in the United States, was approved but you lost the original notice, you may request a duplicate notice of approval. Employment must be directly related to their major Jan 13, 2025 · Discover the next steps after receiving an I-797 approval notice, including interview scheduling and handling additional requests. May 19, 2025 · Optional practical training is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. Both of the documents were sent back to USCIS. Dec 1, 2019 · USCIS: Use EAD approval notice form i797 as proof of EAD approval to start employment (I-9) in COVID-19. ; as such, students are required to maintain their F-1 status and continue to report to OIS. Dec 10, 2024 · Learn the next steps to take after applying for OPT, as well as what you can expect on the status of your OPT application with USCIS. Q7: Recently, the USCIS service centers have sent out an "Approval Notice" just prior to OPT EAD card issuance. Can I work after receiving the OPT Approval Notice, I-766, but before the EAD arrives? No. Your I-797 Approval Notice (front and back), if you changed your immigration status inside the US and have not departed since that time. 2. Is this lag, normal? How much time did it take to update in your cases? Apr 23, 2025 · If you have been enrolled full-time for two consecutive semesters in F-1 status, which starts as of the effective date on the change of status I-797 approval notice, you are eligible to apply for OPT. USCIS sends the student an OPT approval notice. Your EAD card will be delivered to your U. It serves as proof that you are authorized to work legally in the United 1. This information may be subject to change, so please contact the Bloomington DMV at 309-827-3531 prior to making an appointment to confirm the procedure and documentation needed. This only applies during the 180-day period of authorized employment while your STEM OPT application is pending. Check or money order made payable to “ US Department of Homeland Security ” or optional Form G-1450 for payment by credit card. Jan 27, 2025 · Understand the nuances of starting work with an EAD approval notice versus waiting for the physical card and the implications involved. Jul 24, 2024 · OPT/STEM EAD approved but card delivery issue? Learn steps to resolve the problem and ensure timely delivery of your employment authorization document. Apply early! Allow three months for processing by U. Jan 24, 2025 · USCIS uses numerous types of Form I-797 to communicate with applicants/petitioners or convey an immigration benefit. It means the petition has been approved after completion of the adjudication process. Hello Everyone, I applied for OPT stem extension to which I received an email that “The Potomac Service Center has approved the following I-765 Application for Employment Authorization”. You cannot begin work until you receive OPT approval. If approved, the student will receive their employment authorization document (EAD). USCIS (a government agency within the department of Homeland Security) will review your I-765 application and issue your OPT or STEM OPT EAD card. This is granted in the form of your EAD card (Employment If STEM OPT Extension is approved, you will receive your STEM Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card in the mail at the mailing address provided on your I-765 Form in about 2-3 weeks after receiving the approval notice. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), plus additional time for obtaining your academic adviser's signature on the OPT Request Form, for the PDSO to process your new Form I-20 (2-3 working days), and mailing to USCIS. Email image of OPT EAD to OGS Once you receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS, please email images of the front and back of your card to your IS Advisor. Aug 20, 2025 · Form I-797, Notice of Action, is sent to recent applicants for immigrant or nonimmigrant status. 4) USCIS adjudicates the OPT application, usually in about 3 months. However, if a student applies for both, the total Sep 16, 2020 · Hi all, this is regarding STEM OPT approval notice and EAD card. My F-1 OPT/STEM OPT application has been approved but I have not received the EAD card, what can I do? If you have been notified via your USCIS online account that your F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) or F-1 STEM Optional Practical Training Extension (STEM OPT), has been approved, it usually takes 7-14 days to receive the EAD card by mail. Oct 21, 2025 · Part 1: General STEM OPT Extension Information Overview of the STEM OPT Extension STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Oct 21, 2025 · Part 1: General OPT Information Overview of Post-Completion OPT Post-Completion OPT is a type of work authorization for a student in F-1 status; as such, the student is required to maintain F-1 status and continue to report to OIS. The DSO will review your OPT documents and make suggestions, if necessary. Nov 25, 2024 · Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). It confirms the receipt of your application, approval of your petition, or to notify you of appointments for interviews or biometric services. Oct 28, 2025 · F-1 students may apply to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization, which helps them apply their classroom learning to the real-world. S. All correspondence from the USCIS regarding your OPT application will be delivered to OISS: Receipt Notice - usually arrives within two to three weeks after you submit your application. No need to wait for physical card. 5) The Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) card is manufactured and shipped separately to the student. Set up your SEVP Portal account Within one week after your approved OPT start date, you will receive an email invitation sent […] Update: Standalone approval notice presented in documents on Feb 18 Update2: Card Was Produced on Mar 6 (after 17 days of approval, thank god) Update3: Card was received on Mar 7 Reply reply More replies Wild-Appointment-492 • Applied for STEM OPT Extension on November 10 2023, awaiting case decision, After a student submits their OPT application to USCIS, they will receive an I-797 receipt notice and need to wait for USCIS to adjudicate the application. Students Whether you are on pre-OPT, post-OPT, or STEM-OPT, you will receive an EAD card directly from USCIS if your application is approved. Application recepit date: x Approval notice in email & premium clock was stopped: x + 7 days Approval notice under Documents tab: x + 9 days Card was produced: x + 13 days Card was shipped: x + 14 days Card was delivered: x + 17 days Reply reply Unlucky_Activity_343 • OPT Application Process F-1 Students seeking to apply for OPT must submit all required documents using the OPT Submission Portal in which you may find the button below. Hey! How many days later you received your EAD card in mail after approval notice? My status still shows case received but I see approval notice in documents tab. Jul 25, 2019 · If your application or petition was approved but you lost the approval notice or never received the original notice of approval, you can request a duplicate (I-797). Will a student be covered by NJIT student insurance during OPT? No. About Optional Practical Training OPT is work authorization granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), which enables a student to gain full-time or part-time training in their major field of study. I am approved on sep 5. Oct 21, 2025 · The STEM OPT Extension Based on a Prior Degree Application will require a STEM OPT recommendation (STEM OPT I-20) from OIS before filing a formal application (Form I-765) to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You can work once the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has been received and from the start date on the EAD. Sep 29, 2025 · Learn the process of receiving an H-1B approval notice from beginning to end as well as some frequently asked questions. for up to 12 months after completing their degree program. 5qa 14lkr jb yj at1iy kyayyv4 pj xu 1r veu9