OPT document checklist: organize before you file

Open the official Form I-765 page and review the instructions for your filing category and submission method. Check the form edition, alerts, required evidence and current fee information at the time you prepare to submit.

A saved checklist can become stale. Keep a link to the official source beside your preparation notes, and check it again before filing. Your school may also have an internal review process that you need to complete.

Use the categories below as an organizing system, not a complete list of required evidence. Do not submit a document merely because it appears in an app or in another student's packet.

• Identity and admission records: review the applicable passport, visa and I-94 details
• School records: identify the relevant I-20 and DSO recommendation
• Employment authorization history: organize applicable EAD and prior authorization records
• Application materials: review the current form, photo and evidence instructions
• For STEM planning: coordinate the I-983 and school review with your employer

Compare a field with the source document before marking it confirmed. If two records disagree, retain the discrepancy and ask the appropriate school or agency contact how to resolve it. Avoid silently rewriting a source to match your expectation.

Inspect every page for completeness and legibility. A successful upload says that a file was accepted by the app; it does not mean the document meets USCIS requirements or that an application is ready to submit.

OPT Buddy's Pro document scans can suggest fields from a document. Review those suggestions against the original before using them in your plan. Small print, unusual layouts and image quality can affect extraction.

Manual planning stays Free. You can organize preparation and confirm facts yourself without buying scans. OPT Buddy does not file your application, certify a document or guarantee an approval.

Use a fictional or redacted example when asking a general question in a community. Keep passport numbers, SEVIS identifiers, receipt numbers and complete documents out of public posts.

For app support, describe the problem without attaching immigration records or passwords. The contact form and support@optbuddy.app are for product, account and billing support.

Use these primary sources and your school's instructions before acting. The editorial update above is not a certification of current legal status or a promise of ongoing monitoring.

• USCIS: Form I-765, instructions and alerts
• USCIS: Tips for filing forms online
• DHS: Form I-983 overview

Preview a fictional timeline, then create your own Free workspace. Your plan helps organize records and questions; it does not submit forms or replace professional advice.