Students must initiate the process by requesting the Designated School Official (DSO) at their academic institution to recommend OPT. The DSO makes the recommendation by endorsing the student’s Form I-20 and by making the appropriate notation in SEVIS, the system used to track F-1 students. Students then file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Document (EAD), with USCIS. If approved, USCIS will issue an EAD to the student. The student may begin pre-or post-completion OPT employment only after an application has been approved and an EAD has been issued.