STEM OPT Extension Application to USCIS Checklist

• MAILED APPLICATION ONLY - G-1145. (This must be at the top of your application)

• Filing Fee $410

  • MAILED APPLICATION - Can be paid by personal check, money order, or U.S. credit card. If paying by U.S. credit card, complete Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. Make check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

  • ONLINE APPLICATION – The system will direct you to Pay.gov, a U.S. government payment site, to pay the fee. You will be able to pay the fee using a U.S. credit/debit card or through an ACH transfer (direct withdrawal) from your U.S. checking account (have your bank account number and bank’s ABA routing number available

• Properly executed Form I-765. Please see the Sample I-765.

  • NOTE: ONLINE APPLICATION – the same questions will be asked on the online application; use the sample as a guide

• Passport-style photos that meet U.S. passport photo standards and taken within the last 30 days.

  • MAILED APPLICATION – 2 photos are required

  • ONLINE APPLICATOIN – Digital passport photo

• Copy of your new I-20 with the STEM OPT Extension recommendation**

  • Sign and date the “Student Attestation” section on page 1 of your I-20

• Copies of all previously issued I-20s (from all the schools you have attended).

• Copy of your passport identification page(s).

• Copy of your most recent F-1 visa.

• Evidence that your degree meets the STEM degree/major requirements: either an official transcript showing your degree and program of study or a copy of your diploma showing your degree level and program of study. The major on your I-20 from Stevens must have a STEM-eligible CIP code from the STEM list. (If applying with a previous degree, please check with that school to confirm the current CIP code for your degree.)

• Copy of your previous EAD(s): Include the front and back of each EAD card.

• Electronic Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (save a copy as a pdf for printing/uploading)

• Copy of your employment offer letter or an employment verification letter

• Students with F-2 dependent(s): include the Form I-20s for your dependent(s).
  

**USCIS must receive your application within 60 days of when the recommendation was made in SEVIS and before the end date of your Post-Completion OPT.

For timely filing, please ensure that USCIS receives your application within 55 days of your STEM OPT Extension I-20’s issue date.

This date can be found next to the Immigration Advisor’s signature on Page 1 of your Form I-20.

For ONLINE FILING, if you file your application prior to having the STEM OPT I-20 from ISSS, your application will be denied!

MAILED APPLICATION:

Submit your application to the appropriate USCIS Lockbox.

• If using United States Postal Service (USPS), send the application using certified mail with return receipt.

• If using a courier service, such as FedEx, DHL, or UPS, retain the tracking number for your records.

ONLINE APPLICATION:

Follow the instructions on the USCIS I-765 webpage.

• You must have an employer to apply for the STEM OPT Extension and your employer must participate in the E-Verify Program and be willing to complete and adhere to the responsibilities in the I-983 Training Plan.

• Please review the information and resources available on the STEM OPT webpage, including the STEM OPT FAQs.

• Please review the travel section of our website before making any arrangements to depart the country.

• If you receive any requests for evidence (RFEs) for this application, email [email protected] for assistance.

• Submit any changes to your employment to ISSS within 10 days of the change, following the guidelines on the STEM OPT webpage.

• Submit your 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month reporting documents to ISSS, following the guidelines on the STEM OPT webpage.