An F-1 student is facing serious trouble after making a filing mistake while submitting an OPT application. The student reportedly failed to upload the mandatory I-20 document, which is a required part of the employment authorisation process.
According to the details shared, the student only uploaded a photograph and the I-94 signature page while submitting the I-765 application. Without the I-20, the application is considered incomplete and may lead to serious consequences.
Immigration experts say that an OPT application without the I-20 will almost certainly receive a Request for Evidence (RFE). In some cases, the application could even be denied immediately if the required document is missing.
Experts have advised the student to act quickly and try to correct the mistake through the USCIS portal. The recommended step is to upload the missing document using the Unsolicited Evidence section.
The student should upload the I-20 document there and include a short note explaining the filing error. While this action alerts USCIS about the missing document, it does not guarantee approval of the application.
Officials may still issue an RFE during the case review stage. The additional upload simply informs the authorities that the applicant is attempting to correct the mistake before a final decision is made.
The student has also been advised to contact their Designated School Official (DSO) immediately. The DSO can help verify the student’s SEVIS record and confirm whether the application is still active.
It is important for the student to ensure that the SEVIS status remains pending and that the OPT recommendation has not expired. If the SEVIS record is marked as complete, the OPT request may already be denied.
In such cases, the denial could affect the student’s legal status in the United States. Because of this risk, experts strongly recommend careful document checks while submitting immigration applications.
