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Academic Affairs
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

STEM OPT Extension Application

*Do not submit your documents to USCIS without a DSO recommendation in SEVIS and the new STEM OPT requested I-20.

Submit the following documents to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for initial processing of your new STEM OPT Extension I-20.

  • Statement of Understanding and Reporting Responsibilities for STEM-OPT Extension
  • Legal Advice and ISSS Advising Statement of Understanding
  • Form I‐983 "Training Plan for STEM OPT Students". Complete all sections (Section 1 - 6) except Page 5 on the “Evaluation of Student Progress” and “Final Evaluation on Student Progress”. Page 5 is to be completed during the annual (12 month) and final (end of each employment or 24 month) reviews.
  • Review the Department of Homeland Security - Study in the States website for
    • Form I-983 Overview
    • Form I-983 Instructions
    • Employers Resources

Download the STEM OPT Extension Packet

Expand FAQ List

  • The Form I-983 Training Plan is a key component of the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Before a DSO may recommend a 24-month STEM OPT extension, the student must:

    1. Work with the employer to fully complete the Form I-983 and obtain signatures from appropriate individuals in the employer's organization; and
    2. Submit the completed, signed form using the OPT STEM Extension Submission Form.

    The DSO will review the Form I-983 to determine that it is "complete, signed, and addresses all program requirements." Form I-983 will be kept by ISSS. Do not mail this form to USCIS.

    Note: Please review USCIS STEM OPT and Third Party Placements.

    Form I-983 resources:

  • Include the following information in SECTION 1: STUDENT INFORMATION

    • Name of School Recommending STEM OPT: Texas State University
    • Name of School Where STEM Degree Was Earned: Texas State University (unless based on prior degree)
    • SEVIS School Code of School Recommending STEM OPT (including 3-digit suffix):
    Texas State University SNA214F00331000

    San Marcos,  TX
    Round Rock Higher Education Center SNA214F00331001

    Round Rock,  TX
    • Designated School Official (DSO) Name and Contact Information:
      • DSO's Name
      • DSO's email address
      • 512-245-7966
    • Student SEVIS ID Number: See your I-20
    • STEM OPT Requested Period (mm-dd-yyyy): Starts the day after your OPT ends for 2 years
    • Qualifying Major and Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: Enter value from major code section in your I-20I20
    • Level/Type of Qualifying Degree: (Bachelor's, Master's or PhD)
    • Date Awarded (mm-dd-yyyy): Check transcript or degree date
    • Based on Prior Degree? Check "Yes" if your STEM OPT participation is based on a previously-obtained STEM degree, and is not the same degree upon which your current post-completion OPT was granted. Check "No" if your STEM OPT participation is based on your most recently obtained degree, and that is the degree upon which your current post-completion OPT is based.
    • Employment Authorization Number: Enter USCIS# from your EAD card.

    EAD CARD

     

Application Packet Checklist

Completed Form G‐1145 (not necessary if applying online with USCIS)

  • Completed Form I‐765 signed with original signature
    • Review Form I-765 Instructions
    • If mailing application sign by hand. No digital or electronic signature. Will use digital signature with USCIS Online Portal
    • Send all pages of Form I-765, USCIS will reject applications with missing pages
    • Review 08/25/2020 form edition I-765 Template for STEM OPT Form I-765.
    • Send all pages of Form I-765, USCIS will reject applications with missing pages
  • If mailing application to USCIS - Staple the following to the top of your Form I-765:
    1. Pay by credit card: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/pay-with-a-credit-card
      • Check the USCIS website for the most up to date filing fee:www.uscis.gov/i-765
      • Alternative payment method – mail in a Check or Money Order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” for $410.00
    2. 2 recent passport photos. Write your name and I‐94 number in pencil on the back of the photos. See photo guidelines here
  • Copy of STEM OPT requested I-20 with signatures from DSO and student
  • Copy of your degree (transcript or diploma) in a STEM field on the DHS STEM‐designated program list
  • Copies of:
    • Passport, visa, and most recent I‐94 and travel history.
    • Current post-completion OPT EAD Card
  • Copies of ALL I-20s with CPT or OPT authorization only (not all I-20s).

Note: Do not submit the Form I-983 to USCIS. Form I-983 will be submitted to SEVIS by ISSS.

All required documents must be received by USCIS no later than 30 days after the DSO updates SEVIS with the STEM OPT recommendation.

Submit STEM OPT application to USCIS

  1. Apply online: *Do not submit your documents to USCIS without a DSO recommendation in SEVIS and the new STEM OPT requested I-20.
    • Create a USCIS Online Account: https://myaccount.uscis.gov/
    • Complete Form I-765 with digital signature, submit all supporting documents, and pay filing fee online.
    • Update information, check case status, and correspond with USCIS online.
  2. Mail application directly to USCIS:
    • Mail OPT application with all required documents to the appropriate USCIS Service Center.
    • Find the direct filing address on the USCIS Form I-765 website: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 – Click Where to File as a Foreign Student.