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Disclaimer: Please note, these directions are meant to help you in completing your application but should not be considered legal advice. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ultimately provides the decision on your OPT application. It is your responsibility, as the OPT applicant, to ensure that your OPT application is accurate and complete before you submit it to USCIS. Incomplete applications could result in a delay in processing time or denial. MassArt shall not be held liable for any delay, denial, or mistake on your OPT application.
STEP 1 : SCAN ELECTRONIC COPIES OF YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS *please note, the application process is now fully electronic
- Completed Form I-983 Training Plan (Find I-983 instructions) signed by you and your employer for all employers you will work for
- SEVIS School Code can be found on page 1 of your I-20. MassArt's school code is BOS214F00221000
- Designated School Official (DSO): Maggie Shirland, (508) 250-0298, mshirland@massart.edu
- CIP code is the number found on page 1 of your I-20 near your major
- Employment Authorization Number is the USCIS# on your EAD card
- Draft of Completed Form I-765 (see Sample Form for suggestions for completing)
- STEM Extension Eligibility Category: (c)(3)(C)
- Copy of current EAD (front and back)
- Copy of valid passport
- Copy of most recent F-1 visa
- I-94 record (click get most recent)
STEP 2 : SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION FOR REVIEW
STEP 3 : RECEIVE STEM EXTENSION RECOMMENDED I-20 *allow up to 5 business days for review of application
If everything you submit is fully accurate and correct, your International Student Advisor will:
- Formally recommend your STEM OPT Extension in the SEVIS system
- Issue and email you a new I-20 showing that your STEM OPT extension has been formally recommended
- Email you with any suggested changes and instructions to e-file your application
STEP 4: ASSEMBLE YOUR APPLICATION PACKET
- Passport style photograph [Photos must be taken within the last 30 days and cannot have previously been used for a passport, visa, or other US government-related application.]
- Completed Form I-765 (typed with original signature in BLACK ink)
- STEM Extension Eligibility Category: (c)(3)(C)
- Copy of STEM I-20 with your signature on page 1 (pages 1 and 2 only)
- Official final transcript with degree awarded (available from the MassArt Registrar)
- Copy of STEM degree (copy of your diploma with level and program of study)
- Copies of (do not submit originals!):
- All previously issued I-20s (optional, but recommended)
- Valid passport ID page(s)
- Most recent F-1 visa and entry stamp (just entry stamp for Canadian passport holders)
- I-94 record (click get most recent)
- current EAD card (front and back)
- official Diploma with level and program of study
STEP 5 : E-FILE YOUR APPLICATION *Must be filed within 60 days of the issue date on your STEM OPT Recommended I-20
To successfully e-file you must have all documents listed under Step 4 above AND your new STEM OPT Recommended I-20 from your International Student Advisor.
- Create a USCIS Account (or Sign In To Existing Account)
- Select Application for Employment Authorization (I-765) after logging in
- It is near the bottom of the form list.
- Complete the I-765 Form
- Use your previous I 765 (the one that your International Student Advisor reviewed) as a draft and make any changes needed as you proceed with filing.
- Required Payment: you must pay the associated fee to file form I-765 and apply for OPT*applications typically take three to five months to process
- Currently the fee is set to $470 but it is subject to change at any time. You can find the most up to date fee information here at the USCIS site.
- Optional Payment for Premium processing: USCIS offers an expedited option, called Premium Processing, for an additional fee
- For students who choose this option and pay the fee, USCIS guarantees that within 30 days it will issue either an approval, a denial or a request for more information about the student’s application.
- To apply for Premium Processing, include the following with your OPT application:
- Completed Form I-907 (www.uscis.gov/i-907)
- Separate payment for the Premium Processing Fee (You will need to provide two separate payments with your application: one for the OPT application fee and the other for the Premium Processing fee)
- Review and Submit: Here you will review all of the information you have provided so far and you will then click to submit your I-765 online application.
- You may continue to work for up to 180 days beyond the expiration date on your current EAD card while you await your new STEM OPT EAD card: more info
STEP 6: BE PREPARED TO RECEIVE A REQUEST FOR EVIDENCE (RFE)
- RFE's are quite commonly issued with STEM OPT extension requests
- If you receive one, it DOES NOT mean that your application will be denied
- It simply means they want you to provide additional evidence showing your eligibility for STEM OPT
- What they want you to provide can vary and usually will involve working with your International Student Advisor and the college more broadly to determine how to fulfill the request.
- If you receive an RFE, please send a copy of it to your International Student Advisor as soon as possible so we can assist.
STEP 7: RECEIVE RECEIPT, APPROVAL NOTICE AND STEM EAD
- The Form I-797C "Notice of Action" (receipt) will be sent to the address you provide on Form I-765. This receipt indicates the date your application was received by USCIS and includes a receipt number that allows you to track the status of your application online.
- The new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Form I-797 Approval Notice is evidence that you have been approved for the STEM extension. It should be received within 90-120 days (average normal processing time) of the receipt date listed on the receipt notice.
- If you have not received the EAD within the normal processing time, you may follow up with USCIS by calling the number listed on your receipt notice.
- Please provide the IEC with a copy of your EAD as soon as you receive it so we can ensure the details match your SEVIS record