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The OISS office currently recommends filing the I-765 online. Prior to your meeting with an immigration advisor, please fill out the I-765 form online. You will be able to upload your scans directly to the application and pay with a credit or bank card. No need to print anything in advance. Please do not "review & submit" the application until you meet with an advisor.

You still need to have the I-983 ready before your meeting with an advisor (see below for instructions if mailing the application to USCIS).

1. Check or money order for $410, payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”
2. Completed and signed FORM I-983 (see here for )
   • (can be provided to your employer as an example of what to fill out for Section 5)
3. Completed and signed Form I-765 (typed)
   • Part 2. Question 5. Your U.S. Mailing Address: use an address that you may receive mail for the next 4 months.
   • Question 27: Eligibility Category: please list (c) (3) (C)
4. Two NEW color, passport-style photographs - print your name and I-94 number on the back of each photo.
5. Copies of passport, visa, I-94
6. Copy of the front and back of your current and previous EAD’
7. Copy of previous OPT I-20’
8. Evidence that your degree meets the STEM degree/major requirements (include both)
   • Official transcript from Registrar's office
   • Copy of the diploma that shows your degree level and program of study
9. Job offer letter (printed on letterhead) with a registered E-verify organization
10. For the option of receiving an email and/or text message information that USCIS has accepted your application or petition, please complete G-1145.

You must report changes through the SEVP Portal within 10 days if any of the following changes occur:

1. Legal Name
2. Residential address (post office box not acceptable)
3. Ending OPT early due to change of status (H-1B) or leaving the U.S.

In Addition to the above requirements, if you are approved for the 24-month STEM Extension you must complete a new Form I-983 and also notify OISS of the following changes:

1. Change in Employer and EIN
2. Reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked
3. Significant decrease in hours/week that a student engages in a STEM training opportunity
4. Changes to the employers' commitments or student's learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.

Students on the 24-month extension must also submit an annual self-evaluation about the progress of the training experience. .

Bring the following documents with you when traveling outside the U.S. while on STEM OPT

• Valid passport
• Valid U.S. F-1 visa to re-enter the U.S.*
• STEM OPT I-20 with a travel signature by an OISS advisor within the last 6 months
• EAD and letter of employment

*A valid U.S. F-1 visa is not required to re-enter the U.S. if you travel to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands for 30 days or less (excluding Cuba). Citizens of Syria, Sudan and Iran must always have a valid visa. Canadian citizens do not require a visa.

Time spent outside of the U.S. while employed does not count towards the unemployment limits below.

If you are on the 24- month STEM extension you are allowed a total of 150 days of unemployment between your 12- month OPT and 24- month extension.

You can take courses while on STEM OPT as long as you are part-time and are not seeking a degree. If you are seeking a new degree, you will need to cancel your STEM OPT and receive a new I-20 to pursue full-time study in the new degree program. In order to start a new degree, you will need to receive admission and contact OISS to transfer out your SEVIS record if the degree is at a new school. On the transfer release date (new school) or the date a new I-20 is created (St. Thomas only), your STEM OPT will end regardless of if your EAD is valid into the future.

• Students on STEM OPT who intend to continue in F-1 status must be admitted to a new academic program and obtain an I-20 before the 60th day following the end of your STEM OPT. Please note that if you transfer to a new school, you are allowed to remain in the U.S. for up to 5 months between the time your STEM OPT ends and the new program of studies is to begin as long as you have already received your new I-20; if the time period is greater than 5 months, you will be required to leave the U.S. and can only re-enter within 30 days of the start of your new program of study.