OPT Request | Winter Graduates

This form is to initiate your OPT work authorization and will produce a new "OPT Request" I-20. You need this new I-20 in order to apply for OPT with USCIS.
Please pick a date to start your OPT. For Winter 2026 graduates can pick a start date anytime between May 3 and July 1, 2026.
Please remember to apply to graduate with the Registrar's Office!

Processing Time: We will begin processing OPT Requests for Winter 2026 in early February. After this date, we expect to take about 1 week (5 business days) to process.

* denotes a required field

Personal Information

First Name *

Last Name *

What is your GVSU Student Number? (Please include the G) *

Last 8 digits of your SEVIS ID Number (N00XXXXXXXX). Found on top right of your I-20. *

What is your GVSU email address? *
Please enter a GVSU student email address ending in @mail.gvsu.edu.

What is your personal (Non GVSU) email address? *

Your current Address, line 1 (ex. 1 Campus Drive) *

Address line 2 for apartment, etc (ex. 130 LOH)

City *

State/Province *

Zip/Postal *

Phone *

Degree Information

Which semester are you Graduating? *

What is your field of study (Major or Program)? *

Have you applied to graduate? *

Your Requested Start Date

This date is entered into SEVIS and printed on your I-20. You will use this I-20 to submit your OPT Request to USCIS (I-765). The requested start date cannot be changed once you apply to USCIS. If you have not yet applied to USCIS and want to change your requested start, submit this form again and notify us by emailing [email protected].

What date would you like to begin your OPT? (anytime between May 3 and July 1, 2026) *

Human Verification *

Page last modified February 6, 2026

Report a problem with this page