To apply for the OPT STEM extension I-20, please submit the documents listed below to ISSS online.

Below is a list of documents you will need to apply for the STEM extension:

  • Form I-765
  • Form I-983 (See instructions here: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/form-i-983-overview) *Please note this form only needs to be sent to ISSS, you do not need to mail it along with rest of this list to USCIS
  • A copy of your STEM degree. If you do not have a copy of your STEM degree, or your degree does not list your STEM major on it, you will need to provide a transcript from your STEM program.
  • Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
  • New original, signed, I-20 issued by ISSS for the OPT STEM extension application (this will be issued after ISSS reviews your STEM OPT applications documents)
  • Photocopies of ALL prior Forms I-20. Make sure you have your “initial” I-20. If you are missing any forms I-20 you need to write a letter to the USCIS explaining what happened to it. Address the letter “to whom it may concern”
  • Application fee (currently $410.00) - You may pay the fee with a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Make sure the date on the check is written as “Month/Day/Year”
  • Obtain two passport-style photos; 2”x2”, white background, shoulders and up (for guidelines, go to: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos/photos.html)
    • Photos must be identical color photographs of yourself taken within 30 days of filing your application. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched.
    • The passport-style photos must be 2" by 2". The photos must be in color with full face, frontal, view on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1 to 13/8" from bottom of photo. Your head must be bear unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious order of which you are a member. Using pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and I-94 number on the back of the photo.
  • Submit I-94. If you have an actual card stapled in your passport, copy the front and back. If you do not have a card, get your I-94 online at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
  • Copy of any previously received EAD cards front and back. You would only have an EAD card if you applied for some type of employment authorization before (not CPT)
  • Copy of your F-1 visa(s)
  • Copy of most recent entry stamp in your passport - the one matching the I-94
  • Copy of your unexpired passport photo and passport validity page(s)

Below are some additional items that you may want to include with your application, these items are not required but are recommended as proof you maintained your F-1 status while on OPT:

  • Copy of 2 or 3 recent pay stubs from employer(s);
  • Employment verification letter from current employer(s);
  • Letter(s) from current/previous employers to verify you have not exceeded the 90 days of unemployment during the OPT period. The letter can simply state the time period you were employed with the company.

DO NOT SEND ANY DOCUMENTS TO USCIS UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE NEW STEM EXTENSION I-20 FROM ISSS.

Once you have the new I-20 from ISSS, you can mail the documents to USCIS. Please find the mailing address of USCIS under "Where to File" here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765