OPT STEM Extension Instructions
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for the 17-month STEM extension of OPT you must meet the following eligibility
requirements:

Have a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field. The STEM
list can be found at http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stem-list.pdf

Be engaged in post-completion OPT when submitting your application for the extension. Your
window to apply for the extension is within 120 days prior to the end date of your current EAD card.

You must not have already applied for and been approved for the STEM extension. You only receive
1(one) STEM extension during your entire F-1 status, even if you complete multiple degrees.

You must have full-time (>20 hours per week) employment directly related to your degree level and
field of study with an employer who is part of E-Verify. (E-Verify is an internet-based system
operated by USCIS in partnership with the Social Security Administration to help employers
determine the employment eligibility of their employees).
Starting the Application Process with IP
To start the application process, you would request a Form I-20 with OPT STEM recommendation from IP. IP
will need the following documentation from you:
-
-
The Application & Certification for F-1 OPT STEM Extension, which you can find in this document.
A copy of the completed Form I-765. You can find instructions on how to complete the I-765 for a
STEM extension request on the USCIS website, http://www.uscis.gov/i-765.
A copy of your employment offer letter. This letter must have the following details in it:
o job title,
o job description (i.e. how is this job related to your degree level and field of study),
o number of hours you work per week (>20 hours per week),
o work location address,
o a statement indicating that the company is an E-Verified employer (it is preferred, but not
required that the E-Verify number be included in the offer letter)
A copy of the front and back of your EAD card.
You can submit these documents to the IP office or send them via e-mail to [email protected]. IP will review your
application and (if eligible) will issue a new Form I-20 with the OPT STEM recommendation. Once you have
received the new I-20 form, you will put together your application to be mailed to USCIS. You will find a
checklist for your application in the next section.
Application Checklist (for USCIS)
Below is a list of the documents you will need to gather to submit your application to USCIS. Please arrange
your documents in the order listed here:
-
Form G-1145 (optional, for electronic notification of receipt of the application):
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-1145.pdf
- Original and completed Form I-765 (signed within 30 days of mailing): http://www.uscis.gov/i-765
- Check or money order for $380 made out to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”. Staple the check
or money order to the top of Form I-765.
- Two passport photos (2x2) – write your name, date of birth and SEVIS number on the back of the
photos and paperclip them to the top of the Form I-765. Make sure the photos meet the requirements
specified here: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html.
- Photocopy of Form I-20 with OPT STEM recommendation (do NOT send the original).
- Photocopy of the I-94 print out (OR a copy of the I-797 notice indicating change of status to F-1, if
applicable)
- Photocopy of the passport ID page and/or expiration page (valid at least 6 months into the future). (Also
include any pages of the passport which have corrections to information on your ID or expiration page,
if applicable).
- Photocopy of most recent US visa.
- Photocopy of current EAD card, front and back.
- Employment offer letter (see previous section for letter requirements)
- Proof of degree completion (e.g. Copy of degree certificate, transcript). This document must list the
degree level you obtained, the field of study and the completion date of your degree.
IP recommends that you keep a copy of the entire OPT STEM application.
Mailing Instructions
The OPT STEM application must be submitted to the correct USCIS Lockbox Facility for processing and
adjudication. Where to mail the application to depends on the mailing address you indicate in item 3 of the
Form I-765. Use the USCIS address below which corresponds with the state of your mailing address (as
indicated on the I-765) is in:
USCIS Phoenix Lockbox
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho,
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
IllinIP, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota,
USCIS
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota,
PO Box 21281
Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington,
Phoenix, AZ 85036
Wisconsin, Wyoming, Guam, or the
For Express mail and courier deliveries:
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.
USCIS Attn: AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, DC,
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas,
Vermont, Virginia, or West Virginia
USCIS Dallas Lockbox
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries:
USCIS
PO Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266
For Express mail and courier deliveries:
USCIS Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
You are responsible for mailing your OPT STEM application to the appropriate USCIS address in a timely
manner and confirming these mailing instructions by checking the USCIS web page (http://www.uscis.gov/i765 ). USCIS must have received your application before the end date of your current EAD card.
Reporting Requirements During the OPT STEM Extension
As long as you are in F-1 status, IP continues to manage your immigration record. This means that you have to
continue to report certain information to IP to maintain your F-1 immigration status. You must report the
following information:
1. Change in address (within 10 days of the change occurring).
2. Change in employment situation. During the STEM extension, you are required to confirm your
employment whenever you have a change in your employment situation OR every 6 months
(whichever comes sooner). Please make sure to notate the dates at 6 month intervals on your
calendar – it is your responsibility to complete this timely and maintain your F-1 status.
3. Change in visa status. Please submit a copy of proof of your new status (e.g. I-797 Approval Notice), so
we can close your F-1 record. Please e-mail this to [email protected]
4. Transfer to another school to start a new degree program.
5. Change to a new degree program at UNCP.
6. Departure from the US
What to Expect After Mailing Your Application to USCIS
1. You will receive an electronic notification (based on your G-1145 Form) that the USCIS Service Center
has received your application and has begun the review process. This notification contains your case
number, which allows you to look up your case status on the USCIS website:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
2. Within 3 weeks after the date USCIS receives your application, you should receive a hard copy receipt
notice indicating that your case is in progress. This notice will be mailed to the address listed on your
Form I-765. Please check the notice for accuracy of your information. If there are corrects needed on the
receipt you must notify USCIS as this is how your information will show on the EAD.
3. Next, you will receive a decision regarding your case. If approved, you’ll receive the decision and the
EAD card together. Keep in mind that USCIS standard processing for OPT STEM is 90 days. You need
to wait 90 days. If you case goes beyond 90 days please inform IP.
4. Please submit a copy of the EAD card to IP via e-mail at [email protected] or in person.
**If you receive any other notifications from USCIS, please contact IP immediately. If you need to change your
mailing address due to unforeseen circumstances, please contact IP**
Please note that as long as USCIS has received your complete application prior to the end date of your current
EAD card date and you have received their receipt confirmation, your legal status and employment
authorization are automatically extended by up to 180 days or until you receive a decision
from USCIS.
Application and Certification for F-1 OPT STEM Extension
To Be Completed By Student
LAST Name ___________________________________ First Name __________________________________
Banner ID ________________________________ SEVIS ID _______________________________________
Current U.S. Physical Address
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Street Name Unit/Apartment
______________________________ _________________________________ _________________________
City
State
Postal Code
UNCP Email Address ______________________________________ Cell _____________________________
Current EAD Start Date ______________________________ Current EAD End Date ____________________
Please carefully read and certify the information below
____ I hereby request IP to issue me a Form I-20 in support of my application to extend my OPT based on my
completion of a STEM field program, I have read the instructions, and I certify that I am to the best of my
knowledge eligible for this extension.
____ I certify that I will apply for my OPT extension with USCIS before my current EAD expires and within 30
days of IP issuing my new Form I-20. I also certify that I will send a copy of my new EAD to IP (jpg or pdf
format via e-mail: [email protected] ) as soon as I receive it. I also take full responsibility for sending my complete
OPT application to USCIS on time and acknowledge that I will not hold IP responsible for late, missing, or
incorrect information in my application.
____ I certify that I will inform IP as soon as one of the following conditions or circumstances exist:
- I change my name
- I change my address or contact information (US residence, email, phone, permanent residence in home
country)
- I change my nonimmigrant status (e.g., H-1B, F-2)
- I complete my employment and return to my home country
- I change my job status (quit work, am fired or laid off, am relocated, change or add employers, etc.)
____ I also certify that I will verify my continued OPT status and other required details via the IP OPT
Validation Website every six months beginning with the date of my STEM Extension EAD. I understand that
my OPT and/or SEVIS record may be terminated if I do not verify my information with IP every 6 months, I am
unemployed more than 120 days, or do not fulfill my F-1 reporting and status requirements.
____________________________________________________ _____________________________________
Student Signature
Date
To Be Completed By Employer
_________________________________________________________
Employer Company Name
______________________________
E-Verify Number
STEM Position Title _______________________________________
Employer Physical Address
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Street Name Suite, Floor, Unit
___________________________________ ______________________________ ______________________
City
State
Postal Code
___________________________________________________
Name of Supervisor
_____________________________________
Supervisor Email
_____________________________________________________ ___________________________________
Supervisor Position Title
Supervisor Phone
By signing below the employer certifies that:
- The employee has been (or is being) offered a temporary position with the company and that the work is
directly related to a field in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
- The employer is enrolled in the e-Verify system.
- UNCP IP is notified within 48 hours via fax or email when the employee is no longer employed with the
company, the employee’s nonimmigrant status changes (e.g., H-1B), or the employee departs the US for an
extended period (45 days or more).
___________________________________________________
Employer’s Representative Name
_____________________________________
Email
__________________________________________________ ______________________________________
Employer’s Representative Signature
Date