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STEM OPT Extension Online Filing Instructions

STEM OPT Extension Online Filing Instructions

This page contains instructions on the STEM OPT Extension online filing. If you have any questions or are looking for further instruction, please reach out to isss@ohio.edu.

How to Prepare

Collect and scan all necessary before beginning the I-765 Application. Images must be legible and cannot be password protected or encrypted. Acceptable formats are JPG, JPEG, PDF, TIF, or TIFF. These documents will be uploaded to the evidence section of the I-765 application. 

Necessary Documents

  • The STEM OPT Extension Recommendation I-20 Form from ISSS. Be sure you sign it before you scan it.
  • Your passport ID page
  • Front and back of current EAD
  • Passport style photo, US standard size, 2x2 inches (can be purchased from CVS or Walmart)
  • Your
  • Your degree or an official transcript. (It must include your field of study.)
  •  

STEM OPT Extension Recommendation I-20 Form
  • It is critical that you do not submit your application without the STEM OPT Extension recommendation I-20 form from ISSS. If you submit the application before we have made this recommendation it will be denied and you will lose the application fee.
  • The recommendation is only valid for 60 days. If your STEM OPT Extension recommendation I-20 was produced more than 60 days ago, OR if you know that your application will not be submitted within the 60-day time frame, please contact ISSS to request a new recommendation.
  • Submitting an expired recommendation will also result in the denial of the application and loss of the application fee.
  • Your application materials must be submitted before your post-completion OPT expires.

I-983 Form

The I-983 form does not get submitted with your I-765. ISSS is required to keep your I-983 and provide it to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program upon their request.

Application Process

  1. Log in to your USCIS account, or create an account if needed, on the .
  2. Select the I-765 form from the list of applications.

  3. Follow the steps and prompts in the online application.

    Read the "Online I-765 Section Specific Tips" section on this webpage for further information about some of the application questions.

  4. Review your application!

    The ISSS team offers application reviews. If you would like an ISSS advisor to review your I-765 before you submit your OPT online application, do not click submit on the 鈥淵our Application Summary鈥 page. Instead, click 鈥淰iew Draft Snapshot鈥 to generate a PDF version of your I-765. Download and send this PDF to isss@ohio.edu or attend our drop-in advising hours to request an application review.

    Please note ISSS can only check for completion, not accuracy.

  5. When ready, you must submit the application.
  6. You will be redirected to pay.gov to pay the application fee. 

Online I-765 Section Specific Tips

The online application contains special sections, for which have detailed tips and additional instructions to help you through these areas of the application.

Basis of Eligibility
  • You should choose (c)(3)(C), STEM Extension.
  • When entering your employer鈥檚 E-Verify ID please remember that this is different from the employer鈥檚 EIN.

Reason for Applying
  • You should choose Renewal of permission to accept employment.
  • Be sure to confirm that you have filed a previous form I-765. (You did this to obtain your first year of OPT.)

About You
Your Contact Information

You have the option to list ISSS鈥檚 address as your mailing address. We recommend this if there is a chance you will move before your OPT extension is approved.

ISSS (goes in the 鈥淚n care of name鈥 field)
56 East Union Street
Athens, OH 45701

If you choose to use the ISSS mailing address, be sure to indicate that it is not the same as your physical address. You will then be prompted to enter your physical address.

Other Information
  • A-Number: Your A-Number is the USCIS # printed on your current EAD card.
  • USCIS Online Account Number: If you previously filed an online application on the USCIS website, you were assigned a USCIS Online Account Number. If you did not file online, or if you don鈥檛 have access to your account number, check the appropriate box.

Evidence

Please review the necessary documents section above for additional details. 

  • STEM OPT Extension Recommendation I-20 
  • Passport ID page
  • Front and back of current EAD
  • Passport style photo
  • I-94 record
  • Degree or an official transcript 
  • 91探花鈥檚 Accreditation Letter 

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