Service
I-765 OPT application review for F-1 students
A single error on Form I-765 can delay your OPT start date or trigger a rejection that costs months. MyCaseworks reviews your form field-by-field against current USCIS instructions, verifies your eligibility-category code against your I-20 OPT recommendation, and checks that your supporting evidence — photos, filing fee, prior EADs, and I-94 — meets intake requirements.
Form I-765 review is performed by US-licensed attorneys. Lead reviewer is Denise Platter Cabrera (CA Bar #298948). This is document review against USCIS instructions, not retained legal representation.
The review focuses on the fields and evidence that USCIS checks first: eligibility category, I-20 recommendation date, photo specification, fee amount, and prior EAD history. Catching these errors before filing avoids the most common rejection triggers and reduces the risk of a Request for Evidence that delays your work authorization.
Students often assume the form is straightforward because it looks like a standard government document. In practice, the I-765 has category-specific requirements that change with USCIS policy updates. A photo that was acceptable two years ago may no longer meet the specification. A fee that was correct last semester may have changed. Our review catches these policy-level details that are easy to miss when filing on your own.
The I-20 OPT recommendation date is especially critical. USCIS requires that the recommendation be dated within 30 days of your I-765 filing. If you file on day 31, USCIS may reject the application regardless of everything else being correct. We verify this date window as part of every review.
What is included
- Field-by-field check of Form I-765 against current USCIS instructions
- Eligibility-category code verification: (c)(3)(A) pre-completion, (c)(3)(B) post-completion, (c)(3)(C) STEM
- I-20 OPT-recommendation date-window check: the recommendation must be dated within 30 days of filing
- Photo specification, filing-fee amount, and payment-method verification
- Supporting-evidence checklist: passport ID page, visa stamp, I-94, two passport photos, all prior EADs
- Common-rejection-trigger flags: wrong category code, expired recommendation, missing prior EAD, incorrect fee
- Cross-check of employer name and address consistency between Form I-765 and I-983 for STEM applicants
- Optional live consultation (Enhanced tier) to walk through corrections with a US-licensed attorney
Common errors we catch
- Eligibility-category codes that do not match the I-20 OPT recommendation
- I-20 recommendation dates that fall outside the 30-day filing window
- Photos that do not meet the current USCIS passport-style specification
- Filing fees that do not match the current USCIS fee schedule
- Missing prior EADs, which USCIS requires to verify your immigration history
- Inconsistent employer information between Form I-765 and the I-983 Training Plan for STEM applicants
Pricing — compare all tiers
Basic
$99–$199
Field-by-field error scan of Form I-765, photo and fee check, and a written checklist of missing or inconsistent items. No attorney review.
Essential
$299–$499
Adds attorney review by Denise Platter Cabrera (CA Bar #298948). Eligibility-category verification, I-20 OPT-recommendation date-window check, and annotated Form I-765 with tracked flags. The Essential tier delivers an annotated document within 5 business days of submission.
Enhanced
$599–$899
Essential + live attorney video consultation to walk through flagged issues and answer questions. Best for STEM OPT extensions or prior rejection history.
Full refund terms at /refund-policy/.
How it works
- Upload your completed Form I-765, I-20 with OPT recommendation, and supporting documents via the intake form.
- We confirm scope of work and match you to a US-licensed attorney reviewer.
- Your reviewer checks every field, verifies your evidence against USCIS intake requirements, and writes a correction checklist.
- You receive the annotated form, correction checklist, and supporting-evidence summary at the email you provided.
Who reviews your case
Form I-765 OPT applications are reviewed by US-licensed attorneys; lead reviewer is Denise Platter Cabrera (CA Bar #298948). This is document review against USCIS instructions, not retained legal representation.
Frequently asked questions
- Which eligibility-category code should I use on Form I-765?
- Use (c)(3)(A) for pre-completion OPT, (c)(3)(B) for post-completion OPT, and (c)(3)(C) for the STEM OPT extension. The wrong code is one of the most common rejection triggers. We verify that your selected category matches your I-20 OPT recommendation and your academic stage. If you have completed your degree and are filing for standard post-completion OPT, (c)(3)(B) is the correct code.
- What is the most common I-765 rejection trigger?
- The most common rejection trigger is a mismatch between the eligibility-category code and the I-20 OPT recommendation. Other frequent issues: filing more than 30 days after the DSO recommendation date, missing the passport-style photo specification, omitting a prior EAD, or selecting the wrong filing fee. We check each of these against current USCIS Form I-765 instructions. A single error in any of these fields can result in rejection or a Request for Evidence that delays your work authorization by weeks or months.
- Can you file the I-765 for me?
- No. We review your Form I-765 and supporting documents, flag errors, and provide a checklist of corrections. You file the form yourself through USCIS. This is document review, not retained legal representation. We do not have power of attorney to file on your behalf, and we do not interact with USCIS directly.
- Are STEM OPT extension I-765s covered?
- Yes. The Enhanced tier includes review of STEM OPT extension I-765s, including the additional I-983 Training Plan, employer E-Verify verification, and the 90-day filing window before your post-completion OPT EAD expires. We also verify that your STEM degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and that your employer is enrolled in E-Verify.
- What supporting evidence do I need besides Form I-765?
- You need your passport ID page, visa stamp, I-94, two passport-style photos, the I-20 with OPT recommendation dated within 30 days of filing, all prior EADs, and the filing fee. STEM applicants also need the I-983 Training Plan and proof of employer E-Verify enrollment. We verify that every required item is present and correctly formatted. Missing any of these items can result in rejection on intake.
- Is this attorney advice?
- No. Form I-765 review is performed by US-licensed attorneys, but this is document-specific guidance against USCIS instructions, not retained legal representation. For case-specific legal advice about your immigration status, retain an immigration attorney.
What happens after you book
- Upload your draft I-765 answers, I-20 OPT page, and passport identity pages.
- We check eligibility category, dates, and internal consistency.
- You receive annotations and a short risk memo before you file with USCIS.
When this service is not the right fit
- Your DSO has not recommended OPT on the I-20 yet.
- You need USCIS to accept a late filing outside published windows — we cannot override agency rules.
Free procedural guides first
Many applicants only need a clear checklist. Read these free owners before you pay for a review.
- OPT document checklist
Evidence pack around Form I-765.
- I-765 common mistakes
Category codes and timing traps.
- OPT & STEM OPT complete guide
Rules after approval.
Official sources
Fees, forms, and eligibility change. Confirm rules on first-party government sites. Our reviews are educational document support, not a guarantee of any visa or permit outcome.