Students must apply for the 24-month OPT extension prior to the expiration of the first 12 months of “regular” OPT. The application must be received by USCIS prior to the expiration date of the first OPT period EAD in order to be properly (timely) filed. USCIS will not accept I-765 applications for STEM extensions any earlier than 90 days before the current EAD expiration date.
Mail the documents listed in STEP 2, the completed and signed I-765 and the NEW I-20 with DSO endorsement and YOUR signature to USCIS:
USCIS Chicago Lockbox U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS |
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCIS |
If your I-765 mailing address is outside of Mississippi, review the USCIS mailing instructions to find the correct Lockbox location.
Click OPT 24-Month STEM Extension Guidlines for packet.