Student Checklist for Optional Practical Training
17-Month STEM Extension


Please check off as you complete the following steps:

STEP ONE:
Submit the following items to the ISSS office for processing of the OPT 17-month STEM Extension:
__ Completed request form for the 17-month STEM Extension
__ Photocopy of your current EAD card

STEP TWO:
After you receive your STEM OPT I-20 from the ISSS, mail these items to the USCIS Service Center that has jurisdiction over your current state of residence.  A list is included with this checklist, or it may be viewed at the ISSS web site.  Select “employment” from the list on the left side of the homepage, and then “Optional Practical Training 17-Month STEM Extension.”

__ Complete form I-765.  Use blue ink and be sure to sign your name with a Blue ink pen

__ For Question 3: Address for delivery of the EAD card: You should use your current residential address in the United States.  NOTE: This address determines which of the 4 USCIS Service Centers should receive your application.  It is ok to apply to a USCIS Service Center different from the one where your original OPT application was filed.

__ Answering Question 16: The answer for question 16 for STEM Extension applicants (after initial 12 month OPT) is: (c)(3)(C) 

__ Answering Question 17: You must complete this section.  List your major as it appears on your I-20 and obtain your employer’s name and identification number as listed in the US government’s “E-Verify” Program.  This information is usually available from your Employer’s Human Resources office.

__ Since the employment must directly relate to the STEM field, it is recommended that you include a statement from your employer regarding how the employment relates to the STEM field of study.

__ $340.00 check or money order made payable to US Citizenship and Immigration Services or Department of Homeland Security. 

__Photocopy of your most recent I-94 card (both sides) and visa inside your passport

__ Photocopy of the identity pages in your passport, which include your picture.

__ Copy of your current EAD card (both sides) and any previous EAD cards (if applicable)

__ Copy of your most recent degree that shows: degree name, date awarded, and field of study.  This can be a copy of your diploma, official transcript or an unofficial transcript. The field of study shown must be on the approved list of STEM fields of study.  The ISSS will have already verified that your field of study is on the approved list prior to issuing you a new I-20, recommending the OPT 17-month STEM extension.

__ 2 passport-style photos with a white background (important instructions on photo requirements on the back of this page)

__ INCLUDE A PHOTOCOPY (not original) OF YOUR SEVIS I-20 for the OPT STEM Extension, pages 1 and 3, AFTER it is endorsed by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. 

___ INCLUDE PHOTOCOPIES OF ALL OTHER PREVIOUS I-20s ISSUED TO YOU BY ISSS (including any that are pre-SEVIS)

___ INCLUDE PHOTOCOPIES OF ALL I-20S ISSUED TO YOU BY ANY OTHER UNITED STATES SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED (including any that are pre-SEVIS)

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON USCIS PHOTO REQUIREMENTS

Often applicants will have their photos rejected for failing to meet the required specifications.  In order to avoid this, be sure to show these instructions to the photographer before the photos are taken.  Then, carefully review your photos before mailing them to the USCIS Vermont Service Center with your application.

Special instructions regarding photos for your EAD card:

For an example of the new photo style go to: http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/composition/composition_874.html   This link includes information on the required dimensions of the photos, how the photos must be posed etc.
The photo should not be larger than 2 by 2 inches, with the distance from the top of the head to just below the chin measuring about 1-3/8 inches. 

  1. Frame subject with full face, front view, eyes open.
  2. Make sure the photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin; height of head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches. (25mm to 35mm)
  3. Center head within the frame of the picture
  4. Make sure eye height is from between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3/8 inches (28mm and 3mm) from the bottom of the photo
  5. Photograph subject against a plain white or off-white background
  6. Position subject and lighting so that there are no distracting shadows on the face or background
  7. Compose your face in a natural photo.
  8. There must be no spots on the photo.
  9. There must be no shadows on the photo.
  10. Eyeglasses worn on a daily basis can be worn for the photo. However, there should be no reflections from the eyeglasses that obscures the eyes.
  11. Sunglasses or tinted glasses cannot be worn in the photos. 
  12. Print your name and I-94 number on the back of the photos in PENCIL. DO NOT PRESS ON THE PICTURE.
  13. Place the picture in an envelope or small plastic sandwich-size bag and attach the envelope or bag to the OPT application packet.  Be sure not to staple or otherwise put any holes in the pictures.

The photos can be taken locally at one of the businesses and organizations listed below.  Prices subject to change.

Name Address Phone No. Cost of Photos

CVS Pharmacy

50 Pennsylvania Ave, Binghamton   
68 Main St, Binghamton
345 Main St, Johnson City
* Available at all local stores EXCEPT Oakdale Mall and Court Street. www.cvs.com to find the store nearest you

772-0656
773-8338
729-6549

$7.99 for 6 photos

Walmart Portrait Studio

2405 Vestal Parkway East

729-2484

$10.00 for 2 photos

AAA Travel Agency

21 Washington St., Binghamton
51 Washington Ave., Endicott

722-7255
754-1060

$7.00 for 2 photos if you are not an AAA member.

American Civic Association

131 Front Street, Binghamton

723-9419

$8.00 for 2 photos
* 9:00am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday


USCIS Service Center Filing Chart

 

If you live in:

Mail your application to:

CT, DE, the District of Columbia, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, Puerto Rico, RI, VT, VA, WV, U.S. Virgin Islands

This address may be used for both US Postal Service and private courier deliveries:

 

USCIS

Vermont Service Center

Attn:  I-765

75 Lower Welden Street

St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

AR, AL, GA, FL, LA, KY, MS, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX

USCIS

Texas Service Center

P.O. Box 851041

Mesquite, TX 75185-1041

 

Or for private courier (non-USPS) deliveries to the Texas Service Center:

 

USCIS Texas Service Center

4141 North St. Augustine Road

Dallas, TX 75227

AZ, CA, Guam, HI, NV

USCIS

California Service Center

P.O. Box 10765

Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1076

 

Or for private courier (non-USPS) deliveries to the California Service Center:

 

USCIS

California Service Center

24000 Avila Road

2nd Floor, Room 2312

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

AK, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY

USCIS

Nebraska Service Center

P.O. Box 87765

Lincoln, NE 68501-7765

 

Or for private courier (non-USPS) deliveries to the Nebraska Service Center:

 

USCIS

Nebraska Service Center

850 S. St.

Lincoln, NE 68508-1225