Application Process: Part II

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

Application Process: Part II

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: This form MUST be typed and should be printed on 2 sheets of paper. DO NOT print double-sided.

• In the first block, "I am applying for" select "Renewal of my permission to accept employment.”
• Question #1 - Family name should be in CAPITAL letters, followed by your first name in standard capitalization. Failure to follow these instructions may result in errors on your EAD (OPT Card).
• Question #3 – Enter IE’s address: c/o WSU 1845 Fairmount (For Apt Number, enter “Box 122”), Wichita, KS, 67260-0122.
• Questions #9 - 13 refer to your Social Security Number (SSN). Because you have already been issued an SSN, answer as follows:
  • 9a: Yes
  • 9b: provide your SSN
  • 10: No
  • 11 - 13.b.: leave blank
• Question #14 - Enter the 11-digit admission number from your most recent I-94 arrival record.
• Question #15 -
  • Have you ever before applied for employment authorization from USCIS? Mark "Yes" because you have already been issued an EAD for Post-Completion OPT
  • Which USCIS Office? - The card # on your EAD (or the receipt # on your receipt notice) will begin with a three letter code. This code tells you which service center processed your application. Most likely, your current EAD card number begins with either “LIN” or “YSC.” If it says “LIN,” it means your card was processed at the Nebraska Service Center. If it says “YSC,” it means your card was processed at the Potomac Service Center. If your card number starts with letters other than “LIN” or "YSC," contact our office
  • Dates - Enter the start date of your current OPT authorization as printed on your EAD.
• Question #20 - Enter exactly as shown: (c)(3)(C)
• Question #21 -
  • Degree: Abbreviate if necessary to make sure you include the degree level and type. (ex: "MS IE" for Master of Science in Industrial Engineering)
  • Employer's Name as listed in E-Verify: Be sure to ask your employer for the exact name that was used when your company enrolled in the E-Verify program.
  • Employer's E-Verify Number: Your employer's E-Verify number will be between 4-7 digits, and will not be the same as the EIN (Employer Identification Number), which is 9 digits.
• Question #22 and 23 should be left blank.

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. **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. We advise you to obtain a Degree Status Letter from the Graduate School to submit to USCIS in lieu of a transcript.

4. Copy of an endorsed I-20 from IE recommending 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.

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 $410.00 and should be made payable to the “U.S. Dept of Homeland Security.” The following forms of payment are accepted by USCIS:

• 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.
• 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.
• Passport renewal stamp (only if the passport has been renewed).

Mailing the Application:

< Back To OIE Homepage l < Previous | Next > Page 7