How to Apply for OPT with STEM extension
- Make I-983 Plan
- Pay Fee
- Request I-20
- Complete I-765
- Print I-94
- Get Photos
- Get Transcript
- Mail Application
- Get EAD Doc
1 Complete a I-983 training plan.
Complete the Department of Homeland Security’s I-983 training plan with your work supervisor. For help in filling out the I-983, review these instructions and DHS's online I-983 tutorial.
2Pay the OPT STEM service maintenance fee.
Pay the nonrefundable OPT STEM service maintenance fee of $150 via Flywire.
- Enter $150 USD which will be converted to your home country’s currency or Euro equivalent.
- You will be given one or more choices of bank transfer, credit cards, PayPal (depending on your home country)
3 Request an updated I-20.
Complete the STEM OPT I-20 Form to request an I-20 updated with a recommendation for OPT STEM extension. Scan and attach your completed I-983 and your paid fee receipt to your request. If you are applying for STEM OPT based on a previous degree, please email us directly.
4 Download and complete an I-765 form.
Get the I-765 form from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website; follow these instructions for filling out the form. Keep a copy of your completed I-765 for your records. If you want to receive electronic notifications about your application, also fill out the G-1145 form.
NOTE: USCIS will require an updated edition of the Form I-765 dated 08/25/2020 for applications postmarked on or after August 25, 2020. Please use this version of the form until further notice.
5 Print your I-94.
Print your I-94 arrival record created when you entered the United States most recently. You will need your passport in front of you to retrieve your record. Go to the “get most recent I-94” tab, and print the page it generates after entering your passport information.
6 Get new photos.
You will need two brand-new passport-type photographs. These must have been taken within the last 30 days. Photos that you have previously used for a visa or passport are not permitted. (Don't cut the photos! USCIS will trim the photos to their preferred dimensions.)
Print your name and your U.S. admission record number (from your I-94 arrival record) lightly in pencil on the back of each photo. Put the photos in an envelope and attach it to the front of your I-765.
7 Order your transcript.
You will need a copy of your Cornell transcript—or a transcript from another U.S. university if you are applying based on a previous STEM degree. Alternately, you may submit a copy of your diploma if it states your degree field.
8 Mail your OPT STEM application to USCIS.
Send all documents by certified mail with a return receipt, so that you have a tracking number and proof that USCIS received your application. You can also use a courier service like FedEx or UPS.
If your return address on the I-765 is in New York State, send all documents to the following address:
For U.S. Postal Service
USCIS PO Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266
For Express Mail and Courier (FedEx, UPS, etc.)
USCIS
Attn: NFB AOS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121
Business Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
9 Wait to get your EAD.
It takes up to five months for USCIS to process your OPT STEM extension application and issue a new OPT card. This card is also called an employment authorization document (EAD).
Once your case is under way, USCIS will send you a notice of receipt (I-797) in the mail. Please read the notice carefully as it contains a lot of important information. When you have the receipt notice, you can begin to track your case status online.
As soon as USCIS receives your OPT STEM extension application, your current OPT work authorization will be automatically extended until USCIS makes a final decision or for 180 days, whichever comes first.
Next Up: Cap-Gap OPT Extension