Put simply, there are two stages of the OPT/STEM OPT application process

1. Request the OPT/STEM OPT I-20 from ISSS at the appropriate timing
2. After receiving the OPT/STEM OPT I-20, apply for an EAD from USCIS via Form I-765

EAD stands for ‘Employment Authorization Document,’ and is a photo ID card issued by USCIS which authorizes employment in the U.S.

You can submit Form I-765 for OPT & STEM OPT online or by mail.

To avoid processing delays, we generally advise that students apply online, rather than by mail.

OPT and STEM OPT are different in many ways, and you are responsible for knowing important details about whichever one applies to your situation if you plan to request OPT/STEM OPT authorization.

So thank you for reviewing the FAQs on this page as well as our Post-Completion or STEM OPT Extension pages, depending on the type of OPT you need to apply for.

You can also come to Open Advising or make an appointment for more detailed guidance for your situation!

In the past, USCIS has suddenly and without warning changed its fees and made decisions on cases with great negative impact. So you should regularly check the fee schedule for the I-765 for F-1 students filing for OPT (C)(03)(b) or STEM OPT (C)(03)(c) to plan as best as you can.

Payment for the online I-765 is done at the end of the form. After payment has been made, you cannot modify your application any further.

Additionally, for those requesting a STEM OPT I-20, ISSS collects a one-time fee of $200. (See the STEM OPT FAQ section below for more about this).

Finally, those who want a faster processing time from USCIS and are willing to pay the price can add Premium Processing on to either a new I-765 (not yet submitted) or to a pending (submitted) case, for both Post-Completion OPT and STEM OPT.

WHAT IS PREMIUM PROCESSING?

Premium Processing is an optional, added USCIS fee and form that applicants can submit to receive faster processing. The Premium Processing fee does not replace the general I-765 fee requirement.

It is generally expensive.

To check the current Premium Processing fee, go to https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055 and view the available pdf. Search the page for I-907 and within the I-907 section, look for Form I-765. On the right, under ‘USCIS Fee’ the fee will be listed.

Premium Processing can be applied to a Form I-765 you have already submitted, or you can indicate that you want premium processing as you prepare your online Form I-765. You indicate this early in the I-765 form.

Currently, Premium Processing guarantees a 30-day turnaround time on an OPT/STEM OPT application from the time you request Premium Processing.

To add premium processing to an I-765 that has not yet been submitted, you indicate very early in the application that you want premium processing.

The screenshot below of the question for premium processing is from Jun 22, 2023; please note that USCIS updates their fees periodically, so always check the fees from official government pages to plan accordingly.

 

To request premium processing on a pending I-765 application that you have already filed online:

1. Go to USCIS My Account
2. Choose “File a Form Online”
3. Choose “I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service” in the drop-down menu under “Select the form you want to file online.”
4. Click “Start Form”
5. Your pending OPT case should display under “Add Premium Processing to a Case.”

One of the required documents in applying for OPT or STEM OPT is the I-94. Every time you travel, and certainly before you submit the Form I-765, you should review your I-94 for accuracy.

A correct I-94 should indicate you were admitted in F-1 status for ‘D/S’ (Duration of Status); image below as an example.

If that or other details are incorrect, contact the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of your last port of entry to correct the error.

You may also be able to update your I-94 information through an online ticket request here. Please contact ISSS if you’re having trouble with the I-94 correction.

Post-Completion OPT applicants:

ISSS recommends you avoid international travel while your I-765 application is pending.

STEM OPT applicants:

Students on their STEM OPT extension can travel while their I-765 application is pending, but it is highly recommended that they return to the US before their Post-Completion OPT expires.

If your Post-Completion OPT has already expired and your application is still pending, we recommend that you avoid international travel outside the U.S.

This depends on which stage you are at and whether you are applying for Post-Completion OPT or the STEM OPT Extension.

For Post Completion OPT applicants:

After you submit your OPT I-20 Request, the eForm will route to your academic advisor, so check how long they will need to finish their side of that eForm. Mostly, your advisor is just confirming your program completion date, but their overall workload may impact how quickly they can get to this for you.

Then, ISSS will receive your OPT I-20 Request eForm and need 7-10 business days, depending on our workload as well. If you are near the end of your 60-grace period, contact our office directly to request that we expedite it.

After receiving the OPT I-20, you apply for an EAD from USCIS via Form I-765. Waiting on USCIS to decide on your I-765 case is the longest part of the process and can take more than 3-4 months during busy seasons. Please plan accordingly.

For Post-Completion OPT, work is prohibited until the start date on the EAD card.

For STEM OPT applicants:

Before submitting your STEM OPT I-20 request, you’ll need to work with your potential STEM OPT employer to fill out pages 1-4 of the I-983 Training Plan. Preview that document and ask your employer how long it will take them to fill out their sections.

Then, with that and a receipt of your payment for our $200 fee, you submit your STEM OPT I-20 Request eForm to ISSS. We need 7-10 business days, depending on our workload as well.

If you are near the expiration of your EAD, contact our office directly to request that we expedite your STEM OPT I-20 request. Once your EAD expires, you can no longer apply for a STEM Extension, even if you were eligible.

After receiving the STEM OPT I-20 from ISSS, you apply for a new EAD from USCIS via Form I-765.

For STEM OPT, those who are eligible and filed their I-765 timely (before the EAD expired) may work for up to 180 days beyond the expiration of the EAD, or until the USCIS decision, so long as that work follows STEM OPT restrictions.

Yes, students who have an approved OPT authorization and have received their EAD card can travel internationally. Please make sure you have the following documents to re-enter the US:

• • Updated I-20 that shows your OPT as “approved” rather than “pending” with a travel signature less than 6 months old on the second page (contact ISSS for this I-20; we won’t automatically generate it)
  • Passport valid at least 6 months into the future
  • Unexpired F-1 visa
  • EAD card
  • Recommended: Letter from your employer with the dates you will be out of the country

While out of the country, you can apply for a new visa if your current one is expired, but keep in mind you must still demonstrate non-immigrant intent.

An RFE is a Request for Evidence.

An RFI is a Request for Information.

Sometimes USCIS decides an application is missing a key piece of information or evidence before they can make a decision on a case.

In those situations, USCIS will send the student a document requesting the specific type of evidence or information that’s missing and will state a deadline by which the student must reply in order for USCIS to continue processing your case.

Failure to reply appropriately risks a denial or rejection of your application.

If you receive an RFE or RFI, contact our office immediately so we can help you resolve it. We’ll need to see a clear photo or scan of the RFE/RFI notice in order to assist.

Read our OPT Reporting webpage.

That resource includes information about:

• Unemployment allowances
• OPT Reporting requirements
• The SEVP Portal
• Switching employers while on STEM OPT
• Employment type requirements
• Cap-Gap extensions for H-1B applicants
• OPT Reporting FAQs
• Etc.

In general, the most common mistakes OPT & STEM OPT participants make which jeopardize their status are:

• failing to report changes in their situation within 10 days of the change (including beginning employment anywhere at anytime and personal address changes)
• failing to keep their unemployment total under the maximum allowable limit
• doing employment that violates OPT / STEM OPT job requirements

• Maintain valid F-1 status.
• Make normal progress towards degree requirements.
• Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year.
• Have not been authorized for 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• Have not already used 12 months of full-time OPT at the same or higher degree level.

Yes, you can. The I-765 form includes questions that allow applicants to apply for an SSN or replacement card without visiting a Social Security office.

Please note – if you already have a SSN, that is your SSN for life. You do not need to request a new one for your OPT application.

Applicants who submit the I-765 and then receive their approved EADs from USCIS should receive their Social Security card from SSA within the following two weeks.

You can learn more general information about the SSN here.

You can apply as early as 90 days before but no later than 60 days after, your program completion date.

Image below to illustrate the application timing.

How do I know my program completion date?

• For undergraduates: the completion date can be your graduation date.
• For graduate students: the completion date will usually be either your thesis defense date or the end of the semester in which you are defending.

Processing times: Often takes USCIS 3 months or more to process the application.

All post-completion OPT must be completed within 14 months from your program completion date. For this reason, students who apply for OPT later in their application window may not receive the full 12-months of employment authorization.

Make sure you are ready to apply and your coursework will be completed. Cancellation of an OPT application is very complicated and once you’ve applied, you can’t get a refund and we might not be able to extend your I-20.

Consider renewing your driver’s license before applying for OPT, if you have additional time on your I-20. You may not be permitted to renew your driver’s license while your OPT is pending (but can after it is approved).

Any employment you engage in while on OPT must be directly related to your major of study. Employment that is not directly related to the major area of study would be considered a status violation. It is your responsibility to ensure that any employment you engage in while on OPT meets this requirement and is reported to our office. Any unreported employment would also be considered violation of your F-1 status.

Most types of employment are allowed for Post-Completion OPT, including:

• Regular paid employment.
• Payment by multiple short-term employers.
• Work for hire (a service based on a contractual relationship).
• Self-employed business owner.
• Employment through an agency.
• Volunteers or unpaid interns (REMEMBER THIS OPTION!). Unpaid employment is considered employment on OPT, as long as the unpaid employment is directly related to the academic major listed on the student’s I-20 and employment is for at least 20 hours per week. However, please keep in mind that volunteering to do work that other individuals normally get paid to do may be a violation of labor laws. If in doubt, please consult an ISSS advisor.

For Post-Completion OPT, work is prohibited until the start date on the EAD card.

Note:  Once your program end date is in the past (see your OPT I-20; example image below), you can no longer do on-campus employment or CPT.

For example, if the end date on your I-20 was May 12, then the last day of permitted on-campus employment or CPT would have been May 12. From May 13 onward, work will only be permitted from the start date on your EAD card, in positions permitted by the OPT status, and that authorization would not extend beyond the EAD’s end date.

So long as you have not submitted Form I-765 to USCIS, yes! We can cancel the first OPT recommendation (a neutral action) and issue a new OPT I-20 with a new OPT start date. The OPT start date must still be a date from within your 60-day grace period and a date in the future.

You may legally stay in the U.S. as long as your Post-Completion OPT application is pending with USCIS.

If your Post-Completion OPT is denied or rejected and your 60-day grace period has ended, you must depart the U.S. immediately.

If USCIS approves your OPT, then you may remain in the U.S. according to the F-1 status and OPT restrictions (see employment types for Post-Completion OPT and the maximum allowable unemployment days totals). Following the end date on your EAD, you will get another 60-day grace period.

In general, you just wait. Please contact an ISSS Advisor if your application has been pending for 120 days or more.

You can check the status of your OPT application in your USCIS online account.

You can also check average current processing times through the USCIS website.

Unfortunately, there are really only 2-3 stages recognized by USCIS once you’ve submitted the I-765:

1. Pending/Requested: This is the longest part of your wait, likely. It means USCIS has received your application and is working on it. You should receive a Receipt Notice early in this stage, usually within 2-3 weeks of applying. But the process can take as long as 3-4 months
2. Approved/Denied/Rejected: This means USCIS has made a decision on your case. If approved, you’d be waiting for the mailed EAD and Approval Notice. If denied or rejected, please contact our office immediately.

Sometimes there is another stage in between 1 and 2 above if USCIS issues an RFE or RFI and pauses your application until they hear back from you. But many cases proceed without an RFE or RFI.

Biometrics are not required for OPT participants, even if the online case tracker shows a Biometrics section.

No, please choose carefully.

Once you have sent your OPT application to USCIS there is no changing of OPT start dates.

The most you could do is forfeit your application fee (no refund) and try to withdraw your application, which doesn’t always work and has no clear timeline, to then reapply. For most students, withdrawal is not worth its effort, uncertainty, and cost in both time and fees.

If you have coursework left to complete for your degree or receive incomplete grades, contact ISSS for assistance as soon as you know you will not complete your coursework/have received an incomplete.

Depending on the timing, you will either need to withdraw your OPT application or limit your employment to 20 hours per week until you complete your coursework. Even if you get an incomplete, you’ll need to enroll to maintain your status as an F-1 each semester until you complete required coursework.

If you are a graduate student who has completed all coursework and is now working on a thesis or dissertation during your OPT, you can work under the parameters of your EAD, but caution: you must complete all requirements before the end date of your OPT because you are no longer eligible for any I-20 extensions.

Note on calculating dates: USCIS uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is usually 6 hours ahead of Mountain Time.

OPT is a benefit of your F-1 status and should be approved as long as you are eligible and follow all instructions when you apply.

• USCIS has very strict timelines. They will deny your OPT application if they receive it:
  • More than 90 days before your program end date.
  • More than 60 days after your program end date.
  • More than 30 days after the I-20 with the OPT request was created.
• If no I-20 is included with your application, it will likely be denied.
• If you have a criminal history, your OPT could be denied. Consult with an immigration attorney to discuss any concerns about your record.

If your OPT is denied before the end of your 60-day grace period, you may re-apply for OPT.

If your OPT is denied after the end of your 60-day grace period, you will begin accruing days of unlawful presence from the date of the denial. Once you receive the Denial Notice and are able to determine whether the reason for the denial is accurate, you can either make plans to leave the U.S. as soon as possible or meet with an immigration attorney in Student Legal Services to discuss any other options you may have, such as a Motion to Reopen.

Filing of a Motion to Reopen or Reconsider does not stop the accrual of unlawful presence, so we do not recommend this option unless there is a very strong chance it will be approved.

Note: A rejected OPT application is not the same as a denial.

Since the online I-765 was established in 2021, rejections have generally decreased. But if your application is rejected, you may reapply if your grace period has not ended.

Talk to our office if you experience either a denial or rejection as soon as you learn of it.

You are eligible for the 24-month OPT STEM extension if you meet all of the following criteria:

• You are currently participating in approved post-completion OPT and have maintained your F-1 immigration status throughout your post-completion OPT period
• You have earned a degree in a program of study that is included on the STEM OPT eligible CIP Codes list (see your I-20 for your major’s CIP Code)
• Your STEM OPT employer is enrolled in USCIS’s E-Verify employment eligibility verification program
• Your STEM OPT employment opportunity will be at least 20 hours per week
• Your STEM OPT employer has provided you with formal training and learning objectives and is willing to follow the instructions of Form I-983
• You have not been approved for 2 previous OPT STEM extensions

The CIP code for your major must appear on the current SEVP list of qualifying majors, or else ISSS cannot issue a STEM OPT I-20 for you.

CIP Codes for the various majors at CSU are not determined by ISSS, so we do not change CIP Codes unless there has been an error in mapping the CSU major to the designated CIP Code for that CSU major.

Yes, if your previously-earned degree was:

• in an approved STEM major,
• earned within the past 10 years, and
• you have not already done an OPT STEM extension for that degree.
• You may be eligible for a 24-month STEM extension for a previous degree even if you were not in F-1 status at the time you earned that degree. Please see an International Student Advisor for more information.

Yes. If you have completed all degree requirements except a thesis or dissertation, you are eligible for the OPT STEM extension. For the I-765 application, you should obtain a letter from the CSU Registrar confirming that you have met all coursework requirements for your degree.

The passport photos must have been taken within the last 30 days.

Taking your own photos is not recommended; Walgreens, CVS pharmacy, fedex/Kinko’s and many other retail stores in town can make passport-sized photos for you.

For applying through the online I-765, your photo must also meet the upload requirements specified on the photo upload screen.

• How do I find E-Verify employers?
  • The USCIS website has an E-Verify employer search tool.
• How can I find out my employer’s E-Verify number?
  • The USCIS website does not publish the E-Verify number of employers. You will need to ask a Human Resources representative at the company or organization for which you wish to work and indicate this number on the Form I-765.
• Can I get paid by Company A (not E-Verify), but actually work on a contract at Company B (which is E-Verify)?
  • No, the company from which you receive your paycheck must be registered in E-Verify.

You must successfully apply within the 90-day window preceding the expiration of your OPT. Image below to help visualize this timeline.

Similar to the Post-Completion OPT application process, the STEM Extension can take 3-4 months for processing.

However, for STEM OPT, those who are eligible and filed their I-765 timely (before the EAD expired) may work for up to 180 days beyond the expiration of the EAD, or until the USCIS decision, so long as that work follows STEM OPT restrictions.

If your STEM OPT is denied, work after your OPT EAD expires is prohibited. If the denial notice comes after you are already past the EAD expiration, then work is prohibited beyond the notice date. If the denial notice comes after your 60-day grace period has already ended, then you must leave the U.S. immediately.

If your STEM OPT is approved, you simply continue maintaining status as a STEM OPT participant through the end of your STEM OPT period per your EAD. Following the STEM OPT end date, you will get another 60-day grace period.

Please note: You may not be permitted to renew your driver’s license while your STEM Extension is pending, so consider applying as early as possible if your license will expire when your OPT expires.

It can take up to 7-10 business days for our office to review your STEM OPT application materials and issue you an updated I-20. Please plan accordingly.

WHAT IS THE FORM I-983?

The Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, or Form I-983, outlines the mentoring, training, and evaluation plan you will follow during your practical training period. The form needs to include information about how the practical training experience is directly related to your STEM program of study.

WHO IS A DESIGNATED SCHOOL OFFICIAL (DSO)?

This is a person who can make changes to your I-20 and recommend you for an OPT STEM Extension. You can leave this portion of the I-983 blank. The immigration advisor who will be assigned your application materials for review will enter their information into this part of the I-983 for you.

WHAT ABOUT WORKING AT MULTIPLE SITES?

• What if I work for Company A, but I am physically located at Company B?
  • This is  allowed only if you have a supervisor/mentor at your actual work site who can conduct the training outlined in Form I-983.
• In Section 3 it asks for employer information. Should that be the corporate headquarters address or the address of the office where I work?
  • The employer’s principal place of business should be indicated.
• In Section 5 where it requests employer site information, if the site of employment is Company B, should the name of official be my supervisor at Company B?
  • Yes
• Who should sign page 4? Should this be someone from Company A or my supervisor at Company B? 
  • The individual who is acting as your supervisor/mentor and conducting the training outlined in your Form I-983 should sign Page 4.

WHAT FEES DO I NEED TO PAY TO APPLY?

There are two fees you will need to pay in order to apply for the STEM OPT Extension.

• $200 fee to ISSS
• USCIS’ Form I-765 fee
  • as of Jun 2023, F-1s also have the option for a premium processing add-on fee for faster processing of the I-765.
  • We advise students check the official fee schedule, which is called Form G-1055 and is subject to change.

HOW DO I PAY THE REQUIRED FEES?

To pay the $200 fee to ISSS, go to the Storefront home page. Click “ISSS” at the top of the page, then scroll down to the bottom of the ISSS page to choose “OPT STEM Extension Student Services Fee.” You will upload the payment receipt to your STEM OPT eform request.

To pay the general I-765 fee to USCIS, you will need to get to the end of your STEM OPT application on the USCIS website. After you fill out the I-765 and upload supporting documents, the final page will allow you to submit payment (which is considered submitting your application). Once you submit the payment to USCIS, you cannot edit your application.

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TWO FEES?

USCIS has historically charged a fee for every application. Since the STEM OPT Extension is considered a separate application from the Post-Completion OPT application, you must pay the $410 fee again.

ISSS provides many services to students during their two-year STEM OPT Extension, including help with OPT Reporting, travel, and status changes. CSU alumni on their STEM OPT Extension pay no other fees to CSU, although ISSS continues to offer support to you via open advising, appointments, email, and phone calls, so there is now a one-time $200 fee.

WHAT IS PREMIUM PROCESSING?

Premium Processing is an optional, added USCIS fee and form that applicants can submit to receive faster processing. The Premium Processing fee does not replace the general I-765 fee requirement.

Premium Processing can be applied to a Form I-765 you have already submitted, or you can indicate that you want premium processing as you prepare your online Form I-765. You indicate this early in the I-765 form.

This screen applies to a very rare, few number of participants. In the screenshot below, we’ve underlined the important section to determine if you need to upload something here.

‘Previously earned STEM degree’ means ‘a degree before your most recent one at CSU.’

In other words, are you claiming eligibility for the STEM extension based on your most recent degree, the one you just got from CSU?

If so, then you don’t upload anything here, even if the online application interface flags it and prompts you to review. You will be able to submit your application without uploading anything. Our STEM OPT applicants have not reported issues in submitting the I-765 and later being approved after uploading nothing on this section.

However, if you are one of the rare students who are claiming STEM extension eligibility based on a previously earned STEM degree, then you would upload an I-20 from that degree program, and the diploma/transcript you would upload would be that previous degree’s diploma/transcript, not your most recent one from CSU.

You should also read the other question on this FAQ labelled ‘Am I eligible for a 24-month STEM Extension for a previously earned degree that is not the basis of my current Post-Completion OPT authorization?’

Example of someone who would upload a document on this section of the online I-765:

• Tanya, a CSU student, got a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, a STEM eligible major.
• After graduating, Tanya did OPT but did not do a STEM Extension at the Bachelor’s level.
• Instead, Tanya went straight on to get a non-STEM eligible Business Master’s degree at CSU.
• After completing the non-STEM eligible Master’s in Business at CSU, Tanya did OPT at  the Master’s level.
• Now at the end of their OPT, Tanya decides to claim the STEM Extension based on their Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Because they previously did not claim the Bachelor’s STEM extension, they actually can claim it now, even though their most recent degree is not elegible for the STEM extension.
• So for Tanya’s I-765 application now, at which time they’re an OPT participant at the Master’s level, they would upload their Bachelor’s Civil Engineering I-20 at this ‘Institution Accreditation’ screen, and they would also upload their Bachelor’s Civil Engineering degree diploma/transcript, as well, in the diploma/transcript section of the I-765.

If you believe this rare situation applies to you or you have other questions or concerns about this, please come to open advising, send us an email, or give us a call at 970-491-5917. It’s a common question from our STEM OPT applicants.

WHAT IF MY WORK IS NOT REALLY RELATED TO MY DEGREE, BUT IS RELATED TO TRAINING I RECEIVED DURING MY DEGREE PROGRAM?

Your work must be directly related to the degree that qualifies you for the STEM OPT Extension.

MY POST-COMPLETION OPT POSITION WAS VOLUNTEER-BASED AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE. DOES MY STEM EXTENSION HAVE TO BE PAID?

During your STEM extension you must be employed in a paid position working at least 20 hours per week, not counting allowable unemployment or vacation time.

CAN I WORK MULTIPLE JOBS ON STEM OPT?

Yes, but all employment during your STEM OPT period must meet full-time STEM OPT requirements, including a minimum of 20 hrs/week, a bonafide employer-employee relationship, reporting, and the I-983 requirements.