STEM OPT Application
Form I-765 Guide
Students are able to submit their Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through two methods:
Mail: Downloading, printing, and mailing Form I-765 and other applicable documents and fees to a direct filing address associated with a USCIS Service Center
eFile: Creating a USCIS Online Account and submitting Form I-765 electronically, uploading electronic copies of applicable documents, and paying fees online.*
*This guide is meant to provide students with filing tips to file for the STEM OPT extension through eFiling Form I-765. The information provided in this document does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials included are for general informational purposes only and are an interpretation of the instructions published within the USCIS instructions for Form I-765. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this guide and are hereby expressly disclaimed. Guide Last Updated: February 9th, 2024
Items to gather BEFORE starting your application
Please note: all documents must be in a certain format and no more than 6 MB per file: JPG, JEPG, PDF, TIF, or TIFF. Be sure to name each e document with simple text (no special characters)
You will need to pay the application fee ($410) by credit /debit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express).
Log in to your USCIS Account
Using a desktop or laptop computer, open your browser and visit myaccount.uscis .gov
Click log in (or create a new account if you submitted a paper application last year)
Once in your USCIS Account, select “My USCIS”
Select “I am an applicant…” and submit
Click, “File a form online”
Choose the Form “I-765, Application for Employment Authorization”
and the blue radio button reading
“Start form”
READ the entire screen that comes up, and then select “Next.”
READ the entire screen that comes up, and then select “Start.”
Choose your eligibility category
“(c)(3)(C) STEM Extension”
Type your degree level (BA), major name and CIP Code.
For Example, “BA Chemistry 400501”. If it doesn’t fit, use the …… ‘Additional Information’ Section later in the application to clarify the response.
Confirm with your employer the name of your company as it is listed in E-Verify system and the E-Verify number. It should be 4-7 digits long.
You will be taken to the first part of the form, called “Getting Started.”
Your reason for applying is the top selection, initial permission to accept employment. As this is a new employment eligibility category.
As you previously applied for post completion OPT, please select ‘Yes’ you have previously filed Form I-765.
Then, you say “No” to the question about someone helping you with the application. (What they mean is: “Is a lawyer helping you?”)
Next you will find yourself in the “About You” section of the application. Here, you will enter your name, as it appears in your passport.
Do NOT include nicknames, this question is asking only about names on legal documents.
Next share your phone number and email address.
Students are encouraged to use an address where they will reliably have access to mail up to six months after applying for the STEM OPT extension.
Students may use my name (In care of: Caitlin Lamont Kreienkamp) and the St. Olaf address (1520 St. Olaf Ave) if they will be moving or are concerned about receiving mail, but should answer “No” to the next question and provide their current physical address.
Please select your gender and marital status
Enter information about when and where you were born. Reference your passport. If a question doesn’t apply, you can leave it blank.
Select your citizenship(s). If you have dual citizenship, enter the country whose passport has your F-1 visa first.
Please reference your I-94 and travel history to answer the following questions:
Make sure you enter your passport number correctly. If you have a passport you do NOT have a travel document and should leave that question blank.
Important - Make sure you enter this information correctly!
This number is on the top of your Form I-20
-Enter your 9 digit USCIS # from your EAD as your A-Number.
-Your USCIS Account Number will autofill if you filled your OPT I-765 application online last year
All OPT students have a SSN. Please select ‘Yes’ and type your number! Double check your number as to not make a mistake.
Only select ‘Yes’ if you have lost your SSN and need a new card. This can delay your STEM OPT application so ask Caitlin about timing if you need a new card.
Then, you will be in the “Evidence” section of the application
Under “2x2 photo of you,” upload one 2” x 2” photo
• Photo must be taken within the last 30 days.
• Should measure 2 inches by 2 inches, with your face measuring 1 inch to 1 3/8 inch from your chin to the top of your head. Your eyes should be between 1 1/8 inch and 1 3/8 inch from the bottom of the photo. For exact specifications, visit the U.S. Department of State webpage. If you need help understanding the photo requirements or want to resize, rotate, or crop your photo, you can use to the Department of State's photo composition tools.
• Make sure your whole face is visible, you are facing the camera directly, and the background is white or off-white. Your head must be bare, unless contrary to your religious beliefs.
*If an error shows after uploading your photo and you have checked the photo tool, view this website for tips.*
Then, you will be in the “Evidence” section of the application
Under “Form I-94,” upload a copy of your most recent I-94
Note: Do NOT include your travel history, only your Arrival Form should be uploaded.
Then, you will be in the “Evidence” section of the application
Under “Employment Authorization Document,” upload the following documents:
o A copy of your OPT EAD (front and back)
o A copy of your identity / validity page of your current passport
Then, you will be in the “Evidence” section of the application
Under “Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,”
-Check to ensure page 2 shows a recommendation for STEM OPT under Employment Authorizations. Ensure it indicates Full-Time.
-Check to ensure there is a signature from Caitlin on page one. And that YOU signed and dated the bottom of page one in blue ink!
-Look at the ‘date issued’ on page 1 of your STEM OPT I-20. Remember: USCIS must receive your STEM OPT Application within 30 days of the Date Issued on page 1 of your OPT I-20.
Then, you will be in the “Evidence” section of the application
Under “College Degree,”
Then, you will be in the “Evidence” section of the application
Under “Institution Accreditation,”
Then, you will be in the “Additional Information” section of the application
Students may use this section to explain, clarify, or elaborate on their responses or document uploads. You should include the questions that you are referencing.
Then, you will be in the “Additional Information” section of the application
Review your Application
-Check for alerts - if there are any red or yellow alerts, make the appropriate edits. It is possible to submit an incomplete application. You must verify you answered all questions and that the information typed is correct.
-Move on to - “Your Applicant Summary ” when you have the green alert that says, “We found no alerts or warnings in your application”.
-Click on “ View Draft Summary” and if you are interested, you can send the draft summary to Caitlin for review. After saving your draft summary, email it to Caitlin, and ‘sign out’ of your application (top right corner).
Your Statement and Your Signature
Once you have reviewed your application, you can read the ‘Applicant’s Statement’. At this point in the application, you can no longer make changes or edits.
If you are ready to submit your application, read and agree to the “Applicant’s Statement” and digitally sign your application by typing your full legal name.
Only click ‘continue’ when you are ready to submit. This is the final step of the application process.
Pay the Application Fee
Click on the box ‘pay and submit’. The system will direct you to Pay.gov, a US government payment site, to pay the required I-765 application fee.
You will be able to pay using a US credit or debit card or through an ACH transfer (direct withdrawal) from your US checking account.
Once you submit your payment information and the payment is successfully received, USCIS considers your application to be officially submitted.
You can not change or edit your I-765 application responses after your payment is accepted. You can however track the progress and respond to requests for additional information from your USCIS account.
After submission, your application will automatically be assigned a USCIS receipt number.
What happens next…
STEM OPT Reminders
SEVIS Reporting
I need to update SEVIS with your mailing address, email address, phone number, employer information, etc. within 10 business days of any change to avoid a situation where a Department of Homeland Security official may argue you to be out of status.
STEM OPT students are required to complete STEM employment reporting tasks after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of their STEM OPT. To calculate how many months of STEM OPT have elapsed, please refer to the “Valid From” date printed on your STEM OPT EAD card. For example, if your STEM EAD card is valid from 01/01/2021 to 12/31/2022, then you will be required to complete STEM employment reporting tasks on 07/01/2021 (6 months elapsed), 01/01/2022 (12 months elapsed), 07/01/2022 (18 months elapsed), and 12/31/2022 (24 months elapsed).
6-Month STEM Validation: Every six months a student must work with their DSO to confirm that the student's record in SEVIS accurately reflects their current circumstance. This is called the 6-Month STEM Validation. If nothing has changed students can simply email me to confirm. If something has changed (address, phone number, supervisor, job title, etc.) then please use the STEM OPT Employment Report.
After 12 months of STEM OPT: 6-Month STEM Validation and Annual STEM Evaluation. Each STEM OPT student must also complete and submit to their DSO an annual self-evaluation describing the progress of the training experience. This is page 5 of the Form I-983. It requires both you and your supervisor to sign the evaluation on Page 5. There is no need to fill out the entire I-983 Form again, unless something has changed.
After 18 months of STEM OPT: 6-Month STEM Validation (See details mentioned above).
After 24 months of STEM OPT: 6-Month STEM Validation and Annual STEM Evaluation (See details mentioned above).
We have heard from immigration attorneys that untimely STEM reporting can cause problems for students who are in the process of changing their status to H1B, permanent resident, etc., so please keep track of your own dates and follow-up with me as necessary. As each STEM OPT student has different reporting deadlines it isn't possible for me to send individual reminders.
STEM OPT Reminders
Changing Employers
-Students on STEM OPT are allowed to change employers but every employer they work for while on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify and the position must meet all STEM requirements. When a student leaves their STEM OPT employer, the student is required to provide their Final Evaluation, found on page 5 of the Form I-983, regardless of where the student is in their reporting schedule.
-Students who have changed employers during the STEM OPT Extension period are required to submit a new Form I-983 and the STEM OPT Employment Report at the time of the employment change.
-Volunteer/unpaid positions and self-employment cannot be considered for the OPT STEM extension. You can however, engage in volunteer activities when otherwise fulfilling all STEM OPT criteria (ie: you are working more than 21 hours a week for an E-Verify employer in a position that directly relates to your STEM major).
-It is possible to have multiple employment opportunities while on the STEM Extension. It isn't, however, possible to add a part-time/side hustle opportunity. In order to add another employer in SEVIS, the opportunity would need to be at least 21 hours a week, the company/organization would need to participate in E-Verify, and your supervisor would need to fill out the Form I-983.
STEM OPT Reminders
Unemployment
During the STEM OPT Extension, maintenance of your F-1 status depends on your employment. You are not permitted to accumulate more than a total of 150 days of unemployment for the entire period of OPT (including the first 12 months of OPT prior to the STEM OPT Extension). The limits of unemployment time are 90 days for the first 12-months of OPT and 60 days during the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Accumulating more than 150 days of unemployment during the OPT period is a violation of your immigration status that could result in termination of your practical training. If you are nearing the end of your allotted unemployment days please let me know so we can discuss your status options, grace period, etc. Students will receive a 60-day grace period at the end of their STEM OPT as long as they have not reached the 150 days of unemployment. Students cannot work during the grace period.
Travel
To re-enter the U.S. while on OPT, students must have a Form I-20 recently signed by me (less than 6 months ago), a valid F-1 visa, valid passport, their EAD card, contract/job offer letter from their employer, most recent pay stubs, and a letter from their employer with their return to work date. Students on the STEM OPT extension can travel internationally and apply to renew their F-1 visa if it has expired, at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. When returning to the U.S. please print your Electronic I-94 Arrival Form. Once you print your I-94 please check it for errors in your name, status or admit until date, and contact me if there are any. Keep in mind that if you have done anything that violates your F-1 status while on OPT, travel/visa renewal can be risky given the potential accrual of "unlawful presence".
SEVP Portal
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Portal is a tool for F-1 students on OPT to report their contact information as well as their employer information directly to SEVIS. Students can see their information in the portal as it is reported in SEVIS and can update it as needed. The portal is not required but reporting to me is! Portal entries may be used against students in future applications, so be mindful of what you disclose (ie: clear connection between employment and your major). When your STEM OPT ends, your portal access deactivates, as a result students should download and save their portal information for future reference prior to their end date. The Portal will occasionally email you updates; know that some may not apply to you. The SEVP Portal is still in the early stages of the rollout, thus why there are inconsistencies in messaging and why it isn't required. If you have any questions about emails from the Portal or what you see in it, please check with me.