F-1 students with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degrees in fields listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program List are eligible for the 24-month OPT extension (the list is available online). You can find your degree CIP code (a 6 digit code formatted 00.0000) on page 1 of your I-20. If you are not sure you have earned a degree in an eligible STEM field, please contact the ISSS Office. In addition to having earned a STEM eligible degree, the student must:

1. Be maintaining active F-1 status and currently be authorized for Post-Completion OPT, including being fully employed by a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the STEM field of study.
2. Have successfully completed a degree in a field on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. Additionally, the student must meet the following degree requirements:
   • Your most recent degree must be from a currently accredited SEVP-certified school (UAlbany is SEVP certified)
   • You must have received your STEM qualifying degree from a school in the U.S.; at a bachelor’s level or higher; and within 10 years of when you are applying for the STEM extension with USCIS. You cannot have previously used this degree for a STEM OPT extension.
   • The qualifying STEM degree’s CIP code (as defined by the institution which awarded the degree) must match the eligible program CIP codes on DHS’ list.
3. At the time of application for the 24-month extension you must have a job or a job offer for employment meeting the following eligibility requirements:
   • You will work full-time (20+ hours per week) in a paid position (commensurate to other similarly situated American employers) which directly relates to the STEM degree under which you are applying for the position
   • The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and must be willing to complete, submit, and maintain the Form I-983 Training Plan with you. Not all employers are enrolled in E-Verify. For example, the University at Albany is not enrolled in E-Verify, while the University at Albany Research Foundation is. For more on E-Verify, please read the section below.

E-Verify is a system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). It allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. Contact your employer’s Human Resources office to determine if they are in E-Verify. ISSS does not have access to this information, but you can visit the E-Verify website.

In order for the student to be eligible for the STEM extension:

1. The employer must be registered in E-Verify and provide proof of this to the student.
2. The employer must develop a Training Plan (Form I-983) for the student. This plan must be submitted to ISSS. The student must report material changes within 10 days to the DSO (i.e. ISSS advisor).
3. The employer must agree to report the termination or departure of the student to the International Student & Scholar Office within 5 business days.

If you or your employer have questions about these responsibilities, we recommend they consult the ICE-SEVP STEM OPT hub.

In addition to the reporting requirements students have while on post-completion OPT students on STEM OPT assume responsibility for additional reporting requirements, including:

• Completing and maintaining an I-983 training plan
• Completing 6 month check-in reports with ISSS
• Completing an annual I-983 self-evaluation and final evaluations when ending training

Please carefully review all reporting requirements prior to applying for STEM OPT.

Students may apply no earlier than 90 days before the current OPT EAD expiration date. USCIS must receive all materials (including the new I-20 issued by ISSS recommending the student for STEM OPT) before the student's current OPT EAD expires. USCIS must also receive the request within 60 days of when ISSS prints the new I-20 requesting STEM OPT.

ISSS asks for 5-7 business days from the time a complete application is received to create an I-20 for the student to request STEM OPT. Processing time at USCIS vary and may take 2-5 months.

Students may continue working after their current EAD expires for up to 180 days while the STEM OPT application is pending, as long as the student is abiding by all STEM OPT regulatory requirements. If your STEM OPT application is denied, revoked or withdrawn you must stop work immediately.

Students are allowed to change employers while on STEM OPT as long as the new employer meets all eligibility requirements, including that they are enrolled in E-Verify. The new employer must work with the student to complete, submit and maintain the form I-983 (this must be submitted to the ISSS office). Additionally, the student must ensure that he/she completes the form I-983 evaluation with the prior employer.

Students on STEM OPT are allowed an additional 60 days cumulative unemployment, including weekends. This means that students on STEM OPT are allowed a total of 150 cumulative unemployment days between the STEM OPT and 12-month post-completion OPT periods. If you lose employment you must complete the final evaluation section on the I-983 form (section 6) and report the loss of employment to ISSS within 5 business days. SEVIS has the capacity to track unemployment.

Students can view an Unemployment Counter in their SEVP Portal account. This Unemployment Counter is used by SEVP to track the number of days of unemployment a student is eligible for and has accrued. Students may be sent emails by SEVP or have their SEVIS record automatically terminated (therefor ending F-1 status and OPT), based on this counter. Please contact the ISSS office if you have questions about the Unemployment Counter. 

Travel outside of the U.S. while your STEM OPT application is pending can be risky. Please consult with ISSS if you need to travel while your application is pending. Once you have received your STEM EAD card you will need the following to re-enter the United States after travelling: a valid I-20 signed for travel within the past 6 months from the date of re-entry to the U.S; passport with at least 6 months validity remaining; valid F-1 visa; valid EAD(s); proof of continuing employment with STEM eligible employer (e.g. contract, offer letter, letter from employer, etc…); and proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Based on updated USCIS guidance regarding unlawful presence and NTAs (“Notices to Appear) OPT denials could have potentially serious consequences. If you receive a denial, RFE (request for evidence), or NTA please contact ISSS immediately so that you can be referred out to an immigration attorney as appropriate. Individual circumstances may determine how you should proceed. Generally, if your STEM OPT is denied and you are past your eligible filing period should make plans to depart the United States immediately. Unlawful presence may begin accumulating. Unlawful presence can result in bars from entry to the U.S. Individuals who accrue more than 180 days but less than one year of unlawful presence and depart voluntarily may be barred for 3 years. Individuals who accumulate one year or more of unlawful presence may be barred for 10 years (whether they left voluntarily or were removed). USCIS has previously stated that they may issue NTAs for denied applications. An “NTA” is a notice to appear before an immigration judge for deportation proceedings. As of August 2018 that policy has been delayed. 

To file online, you must first create an account on https://www.uscis.gov/.  You must electronically submit your I-765 within 60 days of when the I-20 requesting STEM OPT was issued by ISSS and/or before your OPT EAD card expires, whichever date comes first.   Watch a recording of how to access and complete the online I-765. Special Note: If you have previously set up a USCIS online account please check the mailing address associated with your USCIS account and update it if needed before submitting the new I-765 requesting STEM OPT.

In addition to completing the form fields on the electronic I-765, you will need to upload the following documents.  Please be sure to follow the file requirements and be sure that your uploads are clear and easily readable:

1. Passport photograph meeting all USCIS specifications
2. Scan of your current I-94 (either the screengrab of the electronic form or a photocopy of both sides of the paper I-94).
3. Scan of all previous EAD cards, including current EAD, front and back
4. Scan of identity pages in passport, including expiration date (optional if uploaded EAD, but highly recommended)
5. Scan of F-1 visa stamp (optional if uploading EAD card and passport)
6. Scan of the new Form I-20 requesting STEM OPT— Remember to sign your I-20!
7. Scans of any previous I-20s authorizing CPT or OPT (including CPT/OPT authorizations for prior institutions, degree levels, or SEVIS IDs).
8. Transcripts and/or Diploma: You must include a photocopy of your transcript or diploma proving that you earned a STEM degree and the date conferred. UAlbany diplomas typically only state the degree level, not the specific degree field, so you should send the UAlbany transcript instead. If you are applying for the STEM OPT based on a prior degree, you must also include the transcript or diploma for your most recent degree for which you are currently on OPT. You can order a UAlbany transcript online.
9. Optional but Recommended: Official job offer letter on company letterhead with an employer’s signature.
10. If filing based on a prior degree (i.e. not the degree you are currently on post-completion OPT for), you will also be asked for evidence of institutional accreditation and SEVP certification.  Please contact ISSS for additional information.

When submitting the EForm online, you will be directed to pay.gov to pay the $410 filing fee by credit card, debit card, or through a bank account withdrawal.

Premium Processing: USCIS announced premium processing for F-1 students for form I-765.  This option is available starting April 3, 2023 for new I-765 petitions.  Students can request and pay for premium processing by filing a form I-907 online. Students should note that:

• The premium processing fee is optional.  The only required fee is for regular processing, which currently has a fee of $410 (for the I-765 form for OPT/STEM OPT)
• The premium processing fee is in addition to the regular $410 filing fee for the I-765.  The current premium processing fee for F-1 students filing an I-765 is $1500.  This means students opting for premium processing of the I-765 would need to pay $1500 in addition to the baseline fee of $410.

Please make copies of everything you mail to USCIS before mailing.  If filing by mail please select a mailing option which allows you to confirm delivery (so that you can track and keep evidence that your case was received within 60 days of when the I-20 requesting STEM OPT was issued and/or before your post-completion EAD card expires, whichever date comes first).  

You will need to mail the following documents:

1. A money order, certified check or personal check made payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
   • The filing fee is $410.
   • For more information on how to write the check, visit: https://www.uscis.gov/fees
   • Students may fill out a form to request a credit card payment. This form is called the G-1450. For more information, click here.

   • Premium Processing: USCIS announced premium processing for F-1 students for form I-765.  This option is available starting April 3, 2023 for new I-765 petitions.  Students can request and pay for premium processing by filing a form I-907 online. Students should note that:

     • The premium processing fee is optional.  The only required fee is for regular processing, which currently has a fee of $410 (for the I-765 form for OPT/STEM OPT)

     • The premium processing fee is in addition to the regular $410 filing fee for the I-765.  The current premium processing fee for F-1 students filing an I-765 is $1500.  This means students opting for premium processing of the I-765 would need to pay $1500 in addition to the baseline fee of $410.

2. Cover letter addressed to the USCIS processing center 
3. Original completed Form I-765 with your original signature in ink -- all 7 pages must be included
4. Form G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
5. Photocopy of the new Form I-20 issued for OPT (do not send the original) — Remember to sign your I-20!
6. Photocopies of any previous I-20s authorizing CPT or OPT (including CPT/OPT authorizations for prior institutions, degree levels, or SEVIS IDs).
7. Photocopy of your current I-94 (either the print-out of the electronic form or a photocopy of both sides of the paper I-94)
8. Photocopy of identity page in passport
9. Photocopy of F-1 visa stamp
10. A photocopy of all previous EAD cards, including current EAD, front and back
11. Transcripts and/or Diploma: You must include a photocopy of your transcript or diploma proving that you earned a STEM degree and the date conferred. UAlbany diplomas typically only state the degree level, not the specific degree field, so you should send the UAlbany transcript instead. If you are applying for the STEM OPT based on a prior degree, you must also include the transcript or diploma for your most recent degree for which you are currently on OPT. You can order a UAlbany transcript online here.
12. Two passport style photographs. For complete photo requirements, please review this website. We recommend writing your name and I-94 number on the back of the photos in pencil.
13. Optional but Recommended: Official job offer letter on company letterhead with an employer’s signature.

Note: Take a copy of the entire application before sending for your records. We recommend sending documents by certified mail with a return receipt OR express mail (so that you have a tracking number) to the U.S. Service Center with jurisdiction over your current residence. USCIS must receive the application within 60 days of when the new I-20 was printed or before your current EAD card expires, whichever comes first.. You do not need to send the form I-983, though USCIS can request the information on the form I-983 at a later date if needed.

We recommend sending documents by certified mail with a return receipt OR express mail (so that you have a tracking number) to the U.S. Service Center with jurisdiction over your current residence. Please keep a copy of the receipt showing that the application was delivered. USCIS must receive the application within 60 days of when the new I-20 was printed.  You do not need to send the form I-983, though USCIS can request the information on the form I-983 at a later date if needed.

Students should use the filing address currently listed for the foreign student category on the USCIS website.  There is usually a different address listed depending on if you send the address via USPS (United States Postal Service) or private service (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc…).  Sometimes, there are different addresses listed depending on which state you live in.

As of an update on January 8, 2021, USCIS has listed the Chicago Lockbox as the filing location for F-1 student I-765 applications:

USCIS Chicago Lockbox

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
PO Box 805373
Chicago, IL 60680

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: I-765 C03
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517