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OISS office currently recommends to file the I-765 online. You may apply for STEM extension as early as 90 days prior to your OPT expiration date. Prior to your meeting with an OISS advisor, you need to complete the following steps:

STEP 1: Submit completed and signed to OISS

STEP 2: Prepare all required application materials in digital format

Required application materials:

Digital copy of your passport bio page, most recent F1 visa, I-94, all previous EAD cards (front and back) if applicable, an official transcript, diploma, a STEM OPT endorsed I20

Log into the myUSCIS portal, you will be able to fill out an online I-765 application. You will be able to upload your scans directly to the application. Please DO NOT “review & submit” the application UNTIL you meet with an OISS advisor.

You will be able to pay the filing fee ($470) with your credit/bank card or by providing your bank account information.

Premium Processing available with additional $1,685. (A guaranteed processing time of 30 calendar days.)

Note: Eligibility Category: c(3)(C)- STEM Extension

You must report changes through the SEVP Portal within 10 days if any of the following changes occur:

1. Legal Name
2. Residential address (post office box not acceptable)
3. Ending OPT early due to change of status (H-1B) or leaving the U.S.

In Addition to the above requirements, if you are approved for the 24-month STEM Extension you must complete a new Form I-983 and also notify OISS of the following changes:

1. Change in Employer and EIN
2. Reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked
3. Significant decrease in hours/week that a student engages in a STEM training opportunity
4. Changes to the employers' commitments or student's learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.

Students on the 24-month extension must also submit an annual self-evaluation about the progress of the training experience. .

Bring the following documents with you when traveling outside the U.S. while on STEM OPT

• Valid passport
• Valid U.S. F-1 visa to re-enter the U.S.*
• STEM OPT I-20 with a travel signature by an OISS advisor within the last 6 months
• EAD and letter of employment

*A valid U.S. F-1 visa is not required to re-enter the U.S. if you travel to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands for 30 days or less (excluding Cuba). Citizens of Syria, Sudan and Iran must always have a valid visa. Canadian citizens do not require a visa.

Time spent outside of the U.S. while employed does not count towards the unemployment limits below.

If you are on the 24- month STEM extension you are allowed a total of 150 days of unemployment between your 12- month OPT and 24- month extension.

You can take courses while on STEM OPT as long as you are part-time and are not seeking a degree. If you are seeking a new degree, you will need to cancel your STEM OPT and receive a new I-20 to pursue full-time study in the new degree program. In order to start a new degree, you will need to receive admission and contact OISS to transfer out your SEVIS record if the degree is at a new school. On the transfer release date (new school) or the date a new I-20 is created (St. Thomas only), your STEM OPT will end regardless of if your EAD is valid into the future.

• Students on STEM OPT who intend to continue in F-1 status must be admitted to a new academic program and obtain an I-20 before the 60th day following the end of your STEM OPT. Please note that if you transfer to a new school, you are allowed to remain in the U.S. for up to 5 months between the time your STEM OPT ends and the new program of studies is to begin as long as you have already received your new I-20; if the time period is greater than 5 months, you will be required to leave the U.S. and can only re-enter within 30 days of the start of your new program of study.