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International Student and Scholar Services

How Do I Apply for a 24-Month STEM Extension?

Step 1: Determine if you are eligible.

Read through the information in the above section of this website and determine if you are eligible for STEM Extension. If you are unsure if you are eligible for STEM Extension or have questions about the application process, please contact ISSS.

Step 2: Complete Form I-983 with your STEM employer (without signatures) and submit a Form I-983 Review request in the ISSS Portal

It is very important that the Form I-983 is complete and accurate. Submitting the Form I-983 Review request will ensure the information in the form is accurate prior to having the document signed, so you will not need to go back multiple times to your employer to request updated signatures.

Please review the following resources to help you properly complete Form I-983:

Step 3: Submit a STEM Extension request in the ISSS Portal

Please note: Applications will not be accepted more than ten business days in advance of your earliest filing date (90 days prior to your EAD card end date). This policy is in place to help avoid application denials due to timing errors.

  • After your Form I-983 Review request is approved and processed by ISSS, make sure the Form I-983 is properly signed and dated by all parties and upload it to your STEM Extension request . Signatures can be physical or electronic. If electronic, they must either be produced with software programs or applications (such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign) or be a digitally reproduced copy of a signature.
  • Your STEM Extension request will not be processed until ISSS has approved and processed your Form I-983 Review request .
  • ISSS will review your STEM Extension request within 10 business days and issue you a new I-20 document that reflects our recommendation for STEM Extension and lists the requested employment information on page 2.
    • The STEM Extension status on your I-20 will say Requested. ISSS will not provide you with an updated I-20 that says Pending or Approved unless you make an update to your employer information.

Step 4: Sign in to your USCIS online account and get started on your I-765

F-1 students seeking STEM Extension can file Form I-765 online. If you filed your Post-Completion OPT I-765 online, then you should already have a USCIS account. To file online, you must create or sign in to your USCIS online account at https://myaccount.uscis.gov/. This free account allows you to submit your I-765 form online, pay the application fee, track your case status, communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox, and respond to Requests for Evidence.

While you are waiting for ISSS to process your Form I-983 Review request and STEM Extension request , you can begin filling out your I-765 online. Just be sure you DO NOT SUBMIT the I-765 until you receive your new STEM I-20 from ISSS. Your new I-20 must be uploaded to your I-765.

Step 5: Gather your STEM Extension application materials

For full details of what is required for your STEM Extension application, please visit the USCIS website. The following list of application materials is provided for your convenience and is not meant to replace the official instructions listed on the USCIS website.

  • Form I-765 filing fee (this must be submitted using a credit card, debit card, or ACH withdrawal from a U.S. checking or savings account)
  • One passport-size photo taken within the last 30 days
    • You cannot reuse an old visa or passport photo.
    • The travel.state.gov website has a useful Photo Tool that can help verify your photo meets USCIS requirements.
  • Digital copy of your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD card; front and back)
  • Digital copy of your passport
  • I-94 Record - This record changes every time you reenter the U.S. Make sure you have the most recent copy.
  • Digital copies of any previously issued OPT/CPT I-20 documents
    • You must upload any previously issued I-20s showing CPT or OPT authorization (appears on page 2). This includes I-20s from any previous U.S. schools you have attended.
  • Digital copy of your new STEM Extension OPT I-20 document
    • You must upload a digital version of the I-20 issued by ISSS (from Step 4 above)
  • Official transcripts showing your STEM degree conferral (Please Note: Your ISU Diploma is insufficient; please do not upload your diploma)

Step 6: Sign your new I-20 from ISSS.

You will be notified via email when your new STEM I-20 is ready. Your I-20 will be uploaded digitally In the Control Center (Documents section) of your ISSS Portal. You must print and sign your new I-20 (in ink).

Step 7: Submit your STEM Extension I-765 application online.

See the Tips for Filing Online section below for important details.

ISSS highly recommends that you file online. If you prefer to send a paper application, you can refer to the STEM Extension Application Checklist and the I-765 Direct Filing Addresses page of the USCIS website to find the appropriate address to use.

Premium Processing

Premium processing (Form I-907) provides expedited processing for certain USCIS forms. For an additional fee, you may apply for premium processing while initially filing for STEM Extension or while the application is pending. If properly filed, premium processing gurantees USCIS will take adjudicative action on your I-765 within 30 calendar days. This means that within 30 calendar days USCIS will take one of the following actions on your case:

  • issue an approval notice
  • issue a denial notice
  • issue a notice of intent to deny
  • issue a request for evidence
  • open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation

IMPORTANT: Premium processing does not guarantee your EAD card will be produced and arrive within the 30-day deadline.

  • The 30-calendar-day premium processing timeframe does not include the time it takes to produce your EAD.
  • After USCIS approves your Form I-765, your EAD should be produced within one to two weeks.
  • When your card arrives will vary depending on USPS delivery times.

Tips For Filing Online

ISSS will not review I-765 applications as you as the applicant are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of your application. These tips are provided for your convenience. They should not be viewed as legal advice and are not meant to replace the official instructions listed on the USCIS website.

Getting Started

  • What is your eligibility category? - Choose (c)(3)(C) STEM Extension
  • What is your degree? - Enter your STEM-qualifying degree name and level as it appears on your official transcript. This field has a 40-character limit; if needed, abbreviate and use the Additional Information section to enter the full degree name and level.
  • What is your employer's name as listed in E-Verify? - Consult with your employer to confirm the exact name as it appears in E-Verify
    • There is a 40-character limit to this field. If needed, shorten or abbreviate the name and use the Additional Information section to clarify your response with the full name.
  • What is your employer's E-Verify company identification number or a valid E-Verify client company identification number? - Consult with your employer to confirm the exact number.
    • This should be a 4-7 digit number.
    • Do not enter the company's Employment Identification Number (EIN). The EIN is not the same as the E-Verify number.
  • What is your reason for applying? - Choose "Renewal of permission to accept employment"
  • Have you previously filed Form I-765? - Choose "Yes"

About You

  • What is your current U.S. mailing address? - Enter a U.S. mailing address that will remain VALID for the next 1-4 months. If you do not have an address that will remain valid, you can enter the address of a family member or friend and enter their name in the "In Care Of Name" field. You can list a U.S. Post Office address (P.O. box) as your mailing address if that is how you receive your mail.
  • In care of name (if any) - Your name should not be entered into this field. Only fill out this field if you have entered the address of a family member or friend as your current U.S. mailing address.
  • Place of Arrival - Your "Place of Arrival" is the location where you officially went through customs. You can find this by looking at your most recent entry stamp or your Travel History from the I-94 website.
  • What is your travel document number (if any) - You can leave this field blank.
  • What is your A-Number - Your A-Number is listed as the USCIS# on the front of your OPT EAD card.
  • What is your USCIS Online Account Number? - Enter your USCIS Online Account Number. If this if your first time filing an online form with USCIS, you will not have a USCIS Account Number yet.
  • Has the Social Security Administration (SSA) ever officially issued a Social Security card to you" - Choose "Yes" and enter your SSN.

Evidence

  • Employment Authorization Document or Government ID - Upload a copy of the front and back of your EAD card AND your passport picture page.
  • I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status - Upload a digital version of your STEM Extension I-20 issued by ISSS (from Step 4 above). Make sure YOU have signed the I-20 document before uploading. Your signature must be a wet signature and cannot be a digital signature. Make sure to upload both page 1 & 2 of your I-20 document.
  • College Degree - upload your official transcript showing your STEM degree conferral (Please Note: Your ISU Diploma is insufficient; please do not upload your diploma)
  • Institutional Accreditation - This field will not apply to most students. It is only required if your STEM Extension application is based on a prior degree (not the degree for which you are currently on OPT). For example, you are on OPT based upon your MBA from ISU, but you are basing your STEM application on a Bachelor's degree in Statistics that you earned from another U.S. institution. If this applies to you, contact the school that conferred your STEM-eligible degree for proof of accreditation.
    • If your previously earned STEM degree was conferred byIllinois State University, the
      accreditation information can be found on the Higher Learning Commission website.
      Please print the action letter.

Additional Information

  • Use this section to explain, clarify, or elaborate on your responses or the documents you uploaded as evidence.

Review and Submit

  • Review your application carefully for completeness and accuracy before submitting. It is your responsibility, as the applicant, to ensure the accuracy and completeness of your I-765 application.
  • Before paying the application fee, confirm your current OPT has not expired and you are still within the 60-day window after the date your OPT I-20 was issued. Do not submit if you are outside of this window and contact your ISSS Advisor immediately.
  • Once your payment has been processed, your application will be considered submitted, and you cannot make any further edits.
  • Immediately after submtting your application, you will be able to click on "Go to my cases" and click on the "Documents" tab to view your Receipt Notice.