STEM OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) INSTRUCTIONS

Congratulations on completing the online OPT workshop! These OPT INSTRUCTIONS will serve as

your guide and frequent reference in completing your OPT application.

Table of Contents

1. Important Timelines and Deadlines

2. The STEM OPT application checklist

3. Appendix A: Sample Completed I-765

4. Appendix B: Photograph Requirements

• Earliest date you can request the STEM OPT Extension is 90 days before the current OPT

authorization end date (date listed on current EAD card).

• Latest start date you can request is the day of the current OPT authorization end date

(date listed on current EAD card).

USCIS will not accept applications received after the expiration

of your current EAD Card.

1. Important Timelines and Deadlines

Start preparing your OPT application while you wait for OIPS to process your STEM OPT I-20

request (https://oips.gmu.edu/stem-opt-extension/ ). Your OPT Application includes your STEM

OPT I-20, I-765 application to USCIS, payment, and supporting documents. Follow the

instructions below carefully to complete your application.

Step 3 Checklist Detailed Instructions

1. Review the USICS Webpage Form Filing Tips at https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips.

The instructions below are from this webpage. See the link for official information.

• When possible, download the form from the USCIS website and complete it with a computer.

• If you hand write your answers, use black ink. Make sure your entries are neat, legible, and within

the space provided.

• We use special scanners to read your forms and documents. The scanners will not properly read

information that is greyed out, highlighted or corrected using correction fluid or tape.

• If you make an error, start over with a clean form

Click on the

box when step

is completed

Step 3 Checklist: Prepare OPT Application

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1. Review the USCIS web page Form Filing Tips at

https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips (detailed instructions

below).

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2. Complete and sign USCIS form I-765. (Detailed instructions

below).

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3. Complete and sign USCIS form G-1145

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4. Make copies of all required documents.

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5. Purchase new official photographs

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6. Prepare payment – OPT application fee.

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7. Review OPT application.

2. STEM OPT APPLICATION

Prepare OPT Application

2. Complete and sign USCIS form I-765. The instructions below have been adapted from

https://www.uscis.gov/i-765. See the link for official instructions.

Also see Appendix A, Sample Completed I-765 for additional help completing the form.

General Instructions

• Download USCIS form I-765 at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765

• If you are using a Mac, you should use Safari to open, fill out the form I-765 and print. If you use

Firefox, first download the PDF form to the desktop (or your 'Downloads' folder), then open it

with Acrobat Reader 9 or higher (NOT Preview). You cannot open the PDF form from the

'Download' window of Firefox.

• Complete the form with a computer. If you handwrite your answers, use black ink.

• If a question does not apply to you, type or print “N/A” or “NA” unless otherwise directed. If your

answer to a question requires a number and it does not apply to you, type or print “None” unless

otherwise directed.

Step by Step Instructions

Part 1. Reason for Applying

I am applying for

1.c. Choose 1.c. for a STEM extension

Part 2. Information about You

Your Full Legal Name

1.a.-1.c. Enter your last name, first name, and (if applicable) middle name.

Other Names Used

2.a.-4.c. Enter all other names you have used. If you do not have any other names, enter N/A.

Your U.S. Mailing Address

5.a.-5.e. Provide a valid mailing address in the United States. Keep in mind that the U.S.

government will not forward government mail. If returned for an incorrect address, your card

will be destroyed.

• You can list a valid U.S. residence, APO, or commercial address.

• You can list a U.S. Post Office (PO Box) if that is how you receive your mail.

• If your mail is sent to someone other than yourself, include an “In Care of Name”

• If you are planning to move during the time your application is with USCIS, you can use

the OIPS address. We will notify you to pick up your EAD card when it arrives. If you

choose to use the OIPS address, use the following format. (Do not forget to include

MSN4C3):

6. Choose YES if the address you entered in 5.a.-5.e. is the same as your physical address.

Choose NO if it is not.

U.S. Physical Address

7.a.-7.d. If you answered NO to 6., enter your complete physical address

Other Information

8. Enter your Alien Registration Number (A-number) if any. If you do not have an A-number

or cannot remember it, leave 8. blank. If you are renewing your EAD, this number may be

listed as the USCIS Number on the front of the card. If you have more than one A-Number,

use the space provided in Part 6. Additional Information. (Most F-1 students do not

have A-numbers. An Alien Registration Number (A-number) is typically issued to people

who apply for, or are granted, certain immigration benefits. In the addition to USCIS; ICE,

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), EOIR, and the DoS may also issue an A-Number

to certain foreign nationals).

9. If you have previously filed an application or petition using the USCIS online filing system

(previously called USCIS ELIS), provide the USCIS Online Account Number you were

issued by the system. If you do not have a USCIS Online Account Number or cannot

remember it, leave 9. Blank.

10. Choose the box that indicates if you are Male or Female.

11. Choose the box that describes the marital status you have on the date you file Form 1-765.

12. If you have applied for employment authorization in the past, choose YES and provide

copies of your previous EADs if available. If you have NOT applied for employment

authorization in the past, choose NO.

13. a.-13b. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) has ever issued a Social Security

number to you in your current name or a previously used name such as your maiden

name, choose YES for 13.a. and enter the social security number (SSN) from your card in

13.b. Otherwise, choose NO for 13.a.

14. Social Security Information

• If your request for employment authorization is approved, the SSA may assign you an

SSN and issue you a Social Security Card, or issue you a replacement card. You are not

required to request an SSN using this application. (Completing 14-17.b. is optional).

However, you must have an SSN properly assigned in your name to work in the United

States.

• If your employer uses E-Verify to confirm new employees’ eligibility to work legally in

the U.S., the information you provide on Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification,

will be compared to data in SSA and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

databases. Employees must have an SSN in order for E-Verify to confirm their

eligibility to work legally in the U.S.

If you want the SSA to assign you an SSN and issue you a Social Security Card, answer YES

to 14.

15. If you answered YES to 14, also answer YES to 15 to authorize the SSA to receive

information about you from your I-765 application.

16. a.-17.b. If you answered YES to 14, enter information about your father’s and mother’s

family and given names at birth.

Your Country or Countries of Citizenship or Nationality

18. Enter the name of the country or countries where you are currently a citizen or national.

• If you are stateless, type or print the name of the country where you were last a citizen

or national.

• If you are a citizen or national of more than one country, enter the name of the foreign

country that issued your last passport.

Place of Birth

19a.-19.c. Enter the name of city, town, or village; state or province; and country where you

were born. Enter the name of the country as it was named when you were born, even if the

country no longer exists.

20. Enter you date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format in the space provided. For example, enter

October 5, 1994 as 10/05/1994.

Information About Your Last Arrival in the United States

21.a. Enter your Form I-94 Number. Most students can find their I-94 Number by visiting the

CBP website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov. If you last entered the U.S. before April 30,

2013, you might have a paper version of the I-94. The Form I-94 Number is also known

as the Departure Number on some versions of the form.

21.b.-21.e Enter your passport or travel document number if you used one to travel to the

U.S., even if it is currently expired

21.b. Enter passport number

21.c. Enter travel document number if any

21.d. Enter Country that issued passport or travel document

21.e. Enter expiration date of passport or travel document

22. Enter the date that you last entered the U.S., using the mm/dd/yyyy format. See your I-94.

23. Enter the Place of your last arrival into the U.S. You can enter an airport code or airport

name. See your I-94.

24. Enter the letter and number that matches your current immigration status when you last

entered the U.S.. For example, if you were an F-1 student when you last entered the U.S.,

enter “F-1.”

25. Enter the letter and number that matches your current immigration status. For example, if

your current immigration status is F-1 student, enter “F-1.” If you have not changed your

status since you last entered the U.S., your entry for 25 and 26 should match.

26. Enter your SEVIS number from your OPT I-20.

Information About Your Eligibility Category

27. In the three boxes, enter the eligibility category based on your situation:

Pre-Completion OPT: (c) (3) (A)

Post-Completion OPT: (c) (3) (B)

STEM extension OPT: (c) (3) (C)

28.-28.c. If you entered eligibility category (c) (3) (C) in 27., enter your degree level, major

and CIP code (for example, Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, 27.0101), your employer’s

name as listed in E-Verify, your employer’s E-Verify Company Identification Number, or a

valid E-Verify Client Company Identification Number.

29.-31.b. Skip these questions. They do not apply to F-1 students applying for OPT.

Part 3. Applicant’s Statement, Contact Information,

Declaration, Certification, and Signature

Applicant’s Statement

1.a. Choose 1.a. to indicate that you have read and understand all questions and answers in

this application.

1.b. Only choose 1.b. if you require an interpreter for help with all questions, instructions,

and answers. Enter the language that the interpreter used to communication. Students

who have completed a degree program in the U.S. should have the level of English

required to choose 1.a. instead.

2. Choose 2. if someone, an immigration lawyer or other representative, prepared this

application for you based on information that you provided or authorized. If you choose

2., you must complete Part 5.

Applicant’s Contact Information

3. Enter your daytime telephone number.

4. Enter your mobile telephone number if you have one.

5. Enter your email address if you have one.

6. Skip 6. Unless you are a Salvadoran or Guatemalan national eligible for benefits under

the ABC settlement .

Applicant’s Declaration and Certification

7.a. Read the declaration to understand what you are authorizing by signing your name in

7.b. Enter the date you signed Form I-765 using the mm/dd/yyyy format.

Part 4. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

1.a.-7.b. These questions do not typically apply to an F-1 student applying for OPT. If a

question does not apply to you, enter “N/A” unless otherwise directed. If a question

requires a number, enter “NONE” if it does not apply to you.

Part 5. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this

Application, If Other Than the Applicant.

1.a.-8.b. If someone prepared this application for you, enter the appropriate information. The

Preparer must read and complete 7.a. or 7.b. and sign and date 8.a. and 8.b. If you did

Not have someone prepare this application for you, these questions do not apply to you:

Enter “N/A” unless otherwise directed. If a question requires a number, enter “NONE.”

blue or black ink.

Part. 6. Additional Information

Use Part 6. to provide all previously used SEVIS numbers and evidence of any previously

authorized CPT or OPT and the Academic Level at which it was authorized. (If you need extra

space to provide additional information, you may make copies of Part 6. Make sure you

follow the instructions in Part 6 about what information needs to be included on your

copies.

1.a.-1.c. Enter your Family Name, Given Name, and Middle Name

2. Enter your A-Number if you have one.

3.a.-3.b. Indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer

refers. For example if you previously been approved for CPT and/or OPT, enter “Page 3,

Part 2, Item 27.”

3.d.

List any previous CPT or OPT authorizations you have had. Use separate fields for each

(for example, list all previous CPTs in 3.d., all previous OPTs in 4.d., etc.) You can find

your previous CPT/OPT authorization details on your CPT/OPT I-20s.

Use the following format: CPT Authorization as the title; whether the authorization was

full-time (more than 20 hours per week); part-time (20 hours or fewer per week); SEVIS

ID number; employer name; employment start and end date; degree level.

Example for CPT:

4.d. List all previous OPT approvals using this format: OPT Authorization as the title; whether

the authorization full-time (more than 20 hours per week); part-time (20 hours or fewer

per week; SEVIS ID number; employment start and end date; degree level.

Example for OPT:

3. Complete USCIS form G-1145

• This is an optional form. Use this form to request text and email notification(s) regarding your

application.

• Download the form at https://www.uscis.gov/g-1145

• Complete the form with a computer. If you handwrite your answers, use black ink.

• Print the form

4. Make copies of all required documents:

• OPT I-20 (page 1 and page 2)

• All previous I-20 forms (page 1 and page with travel validation – this can be page 2 or 3) issued

by George Mason University

• Passport biological page, showing your photo and passport expiration

• U.S. entry visa, even if expired

• I-94 printout (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/i94)

• If applicable – any previous EAD cards from George Mason or previous schools.

• If applicable – Change of Status I-797 approval notice (if you change status to F1 in U.S.

5. Purchase New Official Photographs

The photographs must meet the specifications of the U.S. style passport photos. See Appendix B, Photo

Requirements for additional detailed instructions.

• The photographs must be 2” by 2” and taken within the past 30 days. Do NOT use older

photographs.

• USCIS has been examining photographs more strictly. OIPS recommends that students have their

photos taken professionally. Recently, students have been visiting the following locations to

obtain their photos: the Post Office (select Post Office locations offer photo services for $15. Call

ahead to find out if your Post office has this service) and FedEx Kinkos (University Mall). Usually

the Post Office and FedEx Kinkos will cut the photographs for you. If they hand you a sheet of

photographs (attached together), please ask to them to cut the sheet into individual photographs.

• Using pencil or felt pen, write your name, date of birth and SEVIS ID number lightly on the back of

each photograph.

• Place the two photographs in an envelope or sealed plastic bag.

• Do NOT staple the two photographs.

6. Prepare your OPT application fee

You can pay by check, money order or credit card

• Credit card:

o Review instructions at https://www.uscis.gov/forms/paying-uscis-fees (Scroll down to the

section “How to Pay with a Credit Card”).

o Print out and complete form G-1450 with credit card information and sign

o If you experience trouble downloading/printing the form G-1450, try using the browser

Firefox

• Personal check or money order:

o Review instructions at https://www.uscis.gov/forms/paying-uscis-fees

o If applicable – purchase a money order at a bank, post office, or grocery store.

o Make your check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”

o Enter the correct amount of payment on the check or money order. The current fee is $410,

but we recommend that you verify the fee at the time of your application

(https://www.uscis.gov/i-765)

o Make sure a name and address are printed on the check or money order.

How to Fill out a Personal Check:

7. Review your STEM OPT application

• Two color passport-style photographs with name and date of birth printed on back. Click here to

view photo requirements.

• Check, money order or Credit Card Form (G-1450) made payable to U.S. Department of Homeland

Security. Fee: $410

• USCIS Form I-765.

• USCIS Form G-1145. USCIS will send you a text message or email when they receive your

application

• One photocopy each (NOT originals!!) of pages 1 and 2 of your STEM OPT Extension I-20 issued by

OIPS and pages 1 and 3 of all previously issued I-20 forms, front page and signature page, in

reverse chronological order (most recent I-20 first)

• One photocopy of identity and expiration page(s) in your passport (your passport must be valid)

• One photocopy of US visa and I-94 card

• Photocopy of your EAD card (front and back) and any previously issued EAD card(s) and mailer

that came with it

• Copy of job offer letter or pay stubs from employer

• Proof of degree: official or unofficial transcripts or copy of diploma with program of study

listed. You may order an official transcript from the Registrar's Office.

• Optional but recommended: a letter from employer stating how employment is related to you

program of study

Recommended Packet Review:

After you have prepared all your documents, you have the option to meet with an OIPS advisor to review

your OPT application before mailing it to USCIS. This step is not required but recommended.

• For a quick packet review, visit OIPS during walk-in hours (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,

2-4 pm)

• For help with more questions, schedule an appointment with an OIPS advisor (Tel: 703-993-2970).

Do not forget to bring your complete OPT application (USCIS forms + all other required documents)!

Make copies of your complete OPT application (forms and all

supporting documents, including check) for your personal records

before you mail your application to USCIS.

USCIS must receive your complete OPT application no later than 30 days after the OPT I-20 has

been issued. You can find your OPT I-20 issue date on the OPT Acknowledgement Cover Sheet,

attached to your I-20. Additionally, the latest date USCIS will accept your application is 60 days

after your program completion date.

USCIS Mailing Addresses for people who live in Virginia, District of Columbia and Maryland: *

You should use express mail to

ship your OPT application to

USCIS

This will allow you to track the

delivery of your OPT application

USCIS

Attn: AOS

2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

* If your address on the I-765 is not in Virginia, District of Columbia or Maryland, you may have to mail

your OPT application to a different address. You can find the complete list of U.S. states and USCIS mailing

addressed online at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses

(scroll down to the bottom of the page).

Click on

the box

when step

is completed

Step 4 Checklist: Mail OPT Application to USCIS

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1. Mail your OPT Application to the correct mailing address depending

on your current residence

If you delay mailing the packet to USCIS, you must meet with an advisor

and request a new I-20 with a new recommendation date. You cannot

simply request a reprint of the original OPT I-20. The advisor must

withdraw the original OPT recommendation and issue a new one. The

processing time for a new OPT I-20 is 7 -10 business days.

Mail OPT application

to USCIS

If you included the USCIS form G-1145 with your OPT application, you will receive a text or email

from USCIS after they have received your application. Approximately 2-4 weeks after USCIS has

received your application, you will receive an I-797C receipt in the mail. This receipt will have a

case number and will allow you to check the status of your application online.

Click on

the box

when step

is completed

Step 5 Checklist: Check your OPT Application Status

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1. Go to http://www.uscis.gov

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2. Click on the “Check your Status”

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3. Enter your case number (listed on the I-797C receipt):

Check your

OPT Application Status

USCIS will take about 90 days to evaluate your application and issue

your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card. If you

fail to submit a required document, the process might take longer. If

your case number has not changed to “approved” after 90 days, you

should call the Customer Service Number listed on the I-797C

receipt. If you are unable to resolve the matter directly with USCIS,

please schedule an appointment with an OIPS advisor.

Note: USCIS does not regularly update cases statuses for OPT. Once your application has been

approved, typically, the case status will skip from “received on mm/dd/yy date” to “approved on

mm/dd/yy date.” Once your case status is “approved,” it will take another 7-10 days before you

receive your actual EAD card in the mail.

Once you have received your EAD card, please notify OIPS.

Click on

the box

when step

is completed

Step 6 Checklist: Provide a copy of your EAD card to OIPS

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1. Review your EAD card to make sure the information is accurate. If it

is not, contact OIPS.

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2. Submit a copy of your through the OPT Employment Update form:

https://oips.gmu.edu/opt-employment-update-form/

Provide a copy of your

EAD card to OIPS

You may continue working for your employer and update your

I-9 for up to 180 days once you receive the I-797 Receipt Notice

from USCIS.

It is your responsibility to keep records of your employment and any periods of unemployment as

well as report to us every 6 months. If you move to a new address or change your name, notify

OIPS within 10 days.

Click on

the box

when step

is completed

Step 8 Checklist: Report Address Change and

Employment Information to OIPS

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1. Go to http://oips.gmu.edu

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2. Select the “OPT/STEM OPT Employment Update form” under