F-1 STEM OPT USCIS Online Application

As of April 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) permits F-1 students seeking pre- or post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or the STEM OPT extension to file Form I-765 electronically via the USCIS online portal. On this page, we provide some pointers for filing your I-765 online, including a comparison to the paper process.

Form I-907 Premium Processing for STEM OPT Extension

• USCIS guarantees to adjudicate your From I-765 application within 30 calendar days (effective 4/1/2024: will change to 30 business days).
• Premium processing is optional and does not guarantee an approval.
• Fee: $1,500 (increase to $1,685 effective 2/26/2024)
• Request is via Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service via the USCIS online account.
• May be requested at time of filing I-765 or later while application is pending.

Considerations for USCIS STEM OPT Application

• The OPT application must be received by USCIS within 60 days of the date on which ISSS issues an OPT 1-20. If filed with USCIS after 60 days of the OPT 1-20 issuance date, your application will be denied.
• You must be physically present in the U.S. until after USCIS receives your application for processing. Keep delivery confirmation whenever possible. We strongly recommend you discuss travel plans with ISSS before filing OPT to avoid rejection or denial.
• For the mailing address, we suggest to use one that is valid for at least 3-4 months into the future. You may use a friend or family member’s US address. Make sure your address is up-to-date with USCIS especially if you have moved since your post-completion OPT application. Changing your address with USPS does not update your information with USCIS.
• If you decide NOT to submit your OPT application (Form I-765 plus supporting documentation) to USCIS for any reason, you must notify an ISSS advisor immediately. We must timely cancel your OPT recommendation in SEVIS to avoid problems in the future.
• If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), please consult an ISSS advisor immediately.
• Your OPT will be automatically terminated when you begin study at another educational level or transfer to another school.

Guide for Filing Online (STEM OPT)

See below for a step-by-step guide to filing Form I-765 online. You may also refer to the USCIS I-765 instructions.

Begin Your Application

Gather the Required Documents

The first step in the process for filing Form I-765, whether electronically or via regular mail, is to gather the required documents. The documents required to file Form I-765 online are the same whether you are applying online or by mail (with the exception of Form G-1145 and a check/money order). See our OPT checklist or STEM OPT checklist for a list of required documents. Please note that you will be required to scan all documents so that they can be uploaded into the online system.

Create an Online Account

After you have gathered the required documents, create an online account at https://myaccount.uscis.gov. You will be required to provide a valid phone number where you can receive a verification code for two-factor authentication, which will be required every time you log in.

Begin Your Application

After you have logged in, select "File a Form Online" under "Select What You Want To Do." Then, under "File a Form," select "Application for Employment Authorization (I-765). You will be brought to a page with an overview of the online filing process, including eligibility requirements, required documents, payment details, and action items you may need to take after submitting Form I-765. Please read this page carefully and contact your assigned ISSS advisor if you have any questions.

Review the "Completing Your Form Online" section carefully. Note that your responses will be automatically saved. If you log out, you may log back in and resume where you left off last time.

Complete the Form

Getting Started

Fill out all required questions in this section.

• Basis of eligibility
  • c(3)(A) for pre-Completion OPT;
  • c(3)(B) for post-Completion OPT;
  • c(3)(C) for the STEM Extension.
  • Pre- or post-Completion OPT applicants should select Initial permission to accept employment.
  • STEM OPT Extension should select Renewal of permission to accept employment.
  • Select "No" if you have not previously applied for work authorization with an I-765.
  • Select "Yes" if you have previously filed an I-765 (you will be required to upload a copy of your last Employment Authorization Document in the "Evidence" section.
  • Select "no" unless someone (e.g., an interpreter) is assisting you with the application.

  About You

  Carefully fill out all required information in this section. The questions are mostly self-explanatory, but please take note of the following items:

  • Your immigration information
    • Information about your Form I-94 can be found on the CBP website.
    • Be sure to select the correct immigration status, as the list of available statuses is quite long (F1 - Student, Academic, or Language Program).
    • Your SEVIS number can be found on the top left corner of your I-20.
    • If you do not have a previous EAD, leave the A-Number field blank. If you have a previous EAD, your A-Number will be listed under USCIS# on your card.
    • If you have been issued a Social Security Number, please provide it (if known). If not, please select "Yes" under "Do you want the SSA to issue you a Social Security card?"

    Evidence

    Carefully scan and upload copies of all of the required documents and photos in this section. See Acceptable Formats for upload requirements.

    • 2 x 2 photo
      • Be sure to review the guidelines for taking and uploading a photo. Selfies are not acceptable, and the picture must be taken on a plain white or off-white background. Your application will not be approved without a photo. Refer to the Department of State's Passport Photos page for additional tips.
      • Refer to the CBP website to obtain a copy of this form.
      • You may also include a copy of the biographical page of your passport (although not required)
      • Upload a copy of your OPT EAD (front and back)
      • Provide a copy of your STEM OPT-recommended I-20. See additional information about obtaining this document from ISSS.
      • Upload evidence of your STEM-eligible degree.
        • Students applying based on a degree earned at Penn should provide the following: copies of diploma, diploma translation, and official or unofficial transcript.
        • Students applying based on a previously earned degree from another institution should upload copies of the STEM-eligible diploma and transcript.
        • Only required if you are applying based on a previously earned degree. This will not apply to most students.For example, you applied for OPT based on your Master of Social Work degree earned at Penn and you will apply for the STEM extension based on a bachelor's degree in statistics earned at another U.S. university.
        • If you are applying based on a previously earned degree, contact the school that conferred your STEM-eligible degree for proof of accreditation.

        Additional Information

        Use this section to provide any additional information that you could not fit into the previous sections. This is equivalent to Part 6 of the paper application.

        Example #1: If you need to enter your degree/major information:

        • Section: Select "Getting Started";
        • Page: Select "Basis of Eligibility";
        • Question: Select "What is your degree""
        • Additional information: Enter the name of your major as listed on your I-20 and as listed on your diploma/transcript. For example:
          • Master of Science in Robotics
            CIP Code: 11.0102
            Major as listed on I-20: Artificial Intelligence

          Example #2: If you have a previous SEVIS number:

          • Section: Select "About You";
          • Page: Select "Your immigration information";
          • Question: Select "What is your Student and Exchange Visitor Information (SEVIS) Number (if any)?"
          • Additional information: Enter your previous SEVIS ID number, the name of the institution, degree level, and program start date. For example:
            • N00000000000
              DePaul University
              Bachelor's
              8/15/2014 - 5/21/2018

            Review and Submit

            At this stage, the system will alert you of any errors or incomplete fields and will give you the opportunity to make corrections. However, please also manually review each section of the form to ensure that you are submitting accurate information under "Your application summary." You will also have the opportunity to download a .pdf copy of your responses, which you may save for your records by clicking "View draft snapshot."

            After you review your application, you must indicate that you can read and understand English. You will then be required to provide a digital signature by typing your full legal name to confirm that all information you submitted is accurate as of the time of filing.