12-Month Post-Completion

Eligibility

To qualify for Post-Completion OPT, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Valid F-1 visa status, I-20, passport and I-94
  • Completed at least one full academic year
  • Expect to graduate at the time of application (you may continue to be enrolled in a thesis or dissertation course)
  • Cannot have completed 365 days of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
  • You do not need to have an employment offer to apply

For information about acceptable employment types, review the Types of Employment and Documentation guide (PDF).

How to apply

You may apply with USCIS as early as 90 days before your graduation date and as late as 60 days after your graduation date.

1. Submit the ISAO request

Log into the ISAO Portal and complete the "12-Month Post-Completion OPT Request." You will need to read and acknowledge the rules and regulations regarding the 12-Month Post-Completion OPT Period.

The request includes a quiz, academic advisor information, and upload of your fee receipt.

Pay ISAO OPT Fee

2. Wait for your updated I-20

Once an ISAO advisor has reviewed your request, we will prepare an updated I-20 that shortens your program end date and adds the necessary OPT recommendation. This I-20 will be sent to your UMKC email account. Please allow 10 business days (two weeks) for processing.

You must wait until you receive this updated I-20 before submitting your I-765 application to USCIS. Submitting your application before ISAO has processed your I-20 recommendation will result in a denial from USCIS.

3. Submit your application to USCIS

After receiving your updated I-20 from ISAO, submit your I-765 application online with USCIS.

USCIS Form I-765 Online Application

The filing fee is $470 if filed online. You can pay by debit, credit, or electronic check. Premium Processing is available for an additional $1,685. Starting March 1st, 2026, the amount will increase to $1,780.00.

Documents required for USCIS application

Gather the following documents before submitting your I-765 to USCIS:

  • OPT-Requested I-20 from ISAO (emailed to you after we process your request)
  • Digital passport-style photo (2x2 inches, taken within 30 days of submission, in color, with hair/top of head not touching the top of the frame)
  • Most recent I-94
  • Scan of unexpired passport photo page (if expired or expiring soon, begin the renewal process now)
  • Scan of F-1 visa(s)
  • Scans of all I-20s showing prior CPT authorizations (include both page 1 and page 2 of each I-20)
  • Scans of all previous EAD cards, whether from another school or another degree level (include front and back of each card)

Additional application resources

While your application is pending

After approval

Congratulations! You may begin working once you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card and are within the approved employment dates printed on the card.

To receive an updated I-20 showing your approval, upload a copy of the front and back of your EAD card to ISAO using Secure Document Upload in your Pathway Student Center. We will email you the updated I-20 after review.

Common questions after approval

If there is a mistake on your EAD card

Request a replacement card and pay the USCIS I-765 filing fee using the USCIS e-Request system.

If your EAD card was approved by the Potomac Service Center and contains incorrect information (such as a misspelled name or incorrect birthdate) due to USCIS error, submit a letter explaining the error along with the card containing the incorrect information and documents showing the error (such as a copy of your application or birth certificate). Mail to:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Potomac Service Center
2200 Potomac Center Dr., Stop 2425
Arlington, VA 20598-2425

USCIS will issue a corrected EAD within 30 to 45 days of receiving the card with the error. You do not need to submit a new Form I-765 or pay a new filing fee.

SEVP Portal account

You may access the SEVP Portal on the start date listed on your EAD card.

Once your approved OPT period begins, you will receive an email to your UMKC email account with the subject line "Optional Practical Training Approval – the next step. Create an SEVP Portal Account." The email contains a unique link to the portal, which expires in 14 days. You will need your SEVIS ID (located on your I-20, starts with N).

If you do not see the email, check your junk mail or spam folder. If it is not there, email ISAO. If you enter your SEVIS ID incorrectly three times, you will be locked out. Contact ISAO to have it reset.

The SEVP Portal is free. SEVP will never ask for money in an email.

For step-by-step instructions, review the SEVP Portal Student User Guide.

Reporting requirements

To maintain your F-1 visa status, you must report changes to the following:

  • Address, phone number, or email: Update in the SEVP Portal (accessible on your EAD start date). Also update this information in Pathway, as the portal does not update your UMKC record.
  • Legal name, visa type, or immigration status: Report to ISAO by email.
  • Employment changes (address, supervisor, contact information, job title): Submit an "OPT and STEM Employer Update" request in the ISAO Portal.

Six-month confirmation: Confirm your information every six months based on the dates on your EAD card by submitting the "OPT/STEM Report Participation" request in the ISAO Portal. You can submit this request up to 30 days before the deadline.

Updates to your record will not be visible in the SEVP Portal for at least 24 to 48 hours after your advisor has updated it. It may take five to 10 business days for advisors to update your record. It is most important that you report on time.