U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are filing under one of these categories: 

(c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT; 

(c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; and 

(c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students. 

OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. 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). Eligible F-1 students who receive STEM degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT.