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24-Month STEM Extension Optional Practical Training (OPT) Tutorial

Application Process: Part II for Paper Filers

 

The student is responsible for assembling their OPT extension application packet. The following is a list of documents required to apply for the extension. All documents and forms must be completed properly. Incomplete or missing documents, photos, or fees may cause delays and possibly denial of your extension application.

Your application packet should include the following:

1. Completed Form I-765: Once you are on the USCIS page, scroll down past the online filing information to "Forms and Document Downloads." Expand the section and click "Form I-765." This form MUST be typed and should be printed on 7 sheets of paper. DO NOT print double-sided. Download, save, and complete Form I-765 following the instructions provided below or using our printer-friendly version of the instructions here. 

Please complete all fields as instructed below:

Part 1. Reason for Applying

Select box 1.a, Initial permission to accept employment.

Part 2. Information About You

Your Full Legal Name

  • 1.a. Type your family name(s) in CAPITAL letters. (Note: the EAD card will allow a maximum of 30 characters in this field.)
  • 1.b. Type your given name(s) in standard capitalization. (Note: the EAD card will allow a maximum of 18 characters in this field.)
  • 1.c. Use this field if you truly have a middle name or if all of your given names will not fit in the given name field. (Note: names in this field will most likely be abbreviated on the EAD card.)

Failure to follow these instructions may result in errors on your EAD (STEM OPT Card).

Other Names Used

  • Only complete fields 2.a - 4.c if you have used names other than the ones listed in 1.a - 1.c.

Your U.S. Mailing Address *If you would prefer to use your own mailing address, please be sure you will remain at that address for the next 3 months to ensure your documents can be delivered successfully. If your STEM OPT card is lost in the mail, you will have to submit a new application and filing fee to USCIS to request a replacement.

  • 5.a. Wichita State University
  • 5.b. 1845 Fairmount
  • 5.c. Select “Ste.” and type: “122”
  • 5.d. Wichita
  • 5.e. KS
  • 5.f. 67260-0122 (some browsers may not allow the last 4 digits, which is OK)
  • 6. Select “No”

U.S. Physical Address 

  • Complete fields 7.a - 7.e with your U.S. physical address (where you live).

Other Information

  • 8. The A# is listed on your current OPT EAD card as the USCIS #.
  • 9. Leave blank unless you already have a USCIS online account. Many students will not have a USCIS online account.
  • 10 - 11. Complete fields with your information
  • 12. Select “Yes”
  • 13.a. Select “Yes”
  • 13.b. Provide your SSN
  • 14. Select “No”
  • 15 - 17.b. Leave blank

Your Country or Countries of Citizenship or Nationality

  • 18.a. Indicate your country of citizenship
  • 18.b. If you are a citizen or national of another country, indicate this information here. Otherwise, leave blank.

Place of Birth

  • Complete fields 19.a - 20 with your personal information. Please note that if the name of the place you were born has changed, you should use the name as it was at the time of your birth.

Information About Your Last Arrival in the United States

  • 21.a. Enter the 11-digit admission number from your most recent I-94 arrival record.
  • 21.b. Enter your most recent passport number
  • 21.c. Leave blank
  • 21.d - 26 - Complete fields with your personal information

Information About Your Eligibility Category

  • 27. Enter exactly as shown: (c) (3) (C)
  • 28.a. List level and major name, abbreviating when appropriate. For example, Masters, Industrial Eng.
  • 28.b. Be sure to ask your employer for the exact name that was used when your company enrolled in the E-Verify program.
  • 28.c. Your employer's E-Verify number (also known as the E-Verify Client Company Identification Number) will be between 4-7 digits, and will not be the same as the EIN (Employer Identification Number), which is 9 digits.
  • Items 29 - 31.b should be left blank.
Part 3. Applicant’s Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, Certification, and Signature

Applicant’s Statement

  • Select 1.a, “I can read and understand English….”

Applicant’s Contact Information

  • 3 - 5. Complete with your information
  • 6. Leave blank

Applicant Signature

  • 7.a. - 7.b. Sign and Date. Per the I-765 instructions, “a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.”
Parts 4 and 5

Leave blank.

Part 6.  Additional Information
Leave blank unless you have additional information to provide.

2. Form G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (optional, but recommended) Use this form to request a text message and/or email when USCIS accepts your application.

3. Copy of your degree: SEVP and USCIS have stated that transcripts or copies of diplomas indicating the level of the degree and field of study are acceptable as proof of your degree. **Thesis/Dissertation/Project Graduate Students: USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum in October 2013 indicating F-1 students engaging in Post-Completion OPT are eligible for a STEM extension even if they have not yet completed the thesis requirement (or equivalent) for their STEM degree. If your degree has not yet been awarded, we advise you to obtain a Degree Status Letter from the Graduate School to submit to USCIS in place of a transcript.  If your degree has been awarded, submitting a degree status letter in addition to providing a transcript or copy of your diploma is not required.

4. Copy of an endorsed I-20 from OIE requesting the OPT extension: The extension application must reach the service center within 60 days of I-20 issuance and no later than the initial period of OPT expiration date. Remember, you’ll keep the original extension I-20 for your records and make a copy (all three pages) for your application packet. BE SURE TO SIGN THE I-20 BEFORE SUBMITTING TO USCIS.

5. Copy of your current EAD: Copy the front and back in the center and on the same side of the paper. Avoid the margins and corners.

6. (2) Passport-style photos: The photos should be identical and must have been taken within the last 30 days. The USCIS service center will reject photos more than 30 days old. Follow the guidelines described on the Department of State website. The WSU Post office in Morrison Hall offers passport photo services, as do Walgreens and FedEx-Kinkos.

7. Fee Payment: The application fee is $520.00 and should be made payable to the “U.S. Dept of Homeland Security.” 

The following forms of payment are accepted by USCIS: Examples

  • Personal check
  • Money order (recommended)
  • Form G-1450 Authorization for Credit Card Transactions

8. Copies of Immigration Documents: You must provide one clear copy of each item. Copies should be on standard-size paper (8 ½ x 11). Do not cut copies down to a smaller size. Center item to be copied on the paper – avoid the margins and corners. Be sure to close the copier cover so the empty space around the item is white, not black.

  • Valid Passport: Copy must include picture, name, and expiration date. If you have had your passport renewed while in the U.S., we recommend including a copy of your expired passport as well.
  • Visa: It is OK if your F-1 visa has expired.
  • I-94 Admission/Departure record: Beginning in April 2013, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began issuing electronic I-94s. If you have made an entry since April 2013, you may not have been issued the old-style paper I-94 and will need to print your I-94 from the CBP website. If you have an I-94 card, copy both the front and back of the card on the same side of the paper.

Mailing the Application:

Using Express Mail*
USCIS
Attn: I-765 C03
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603

*Express mail includes Fed-Ex, UPS, and USPS Priority Mail

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