How to Apply Online

STOP! Do you have your new STEM OPT I-20 from OISS?

Please do not proceed with filing your STEM OPT application until after you have received, printed, and signed your new I-20 recommending STEM OPT. Once you have your STEM OPT I-20, you are ready to take the final step of submitting your application to USCIS!

1. Prepare Your Documents

To make the process of submitting your online application easy, please have the electronic files for these documents ready before you begin:

Document(s)	Notes
Most recent I-94 arrival record (not your travel history)	Please make sure that your I-94 record reflects your most recent entry to the U.S. The I-94 should list 'F-1' as your class of admission and Admit Until Date: 'D/S'. If you see any errors on your I-94, please contact your OISS adviser. Click the 'Get Most Recent I-94' button on this page Click print and save as PDF
2 X 2 INCH Photo	Get a new photo taken and save a digital file to upload in your application. Be sure to follow the photo requirements here. This photograph: must have been taken within 30 days of the submission of your STEM OPT application must not have been previously used must not include eyeglasses
New STEM OPT I-20	Once you receive your new I-20 recommending STEM OPT from your OISS adviser, please: confirm the STEM OPT dates on page two confirm the STEM OPT is full-time print it sign & date scan it
Copy of Passport ID Page	If you are a citizen of more than one country, please have copies of all of your passports ready. If your F-1 visa is on your old passport, please have copies of both the old and the new passport ready.
Copy of F-1 Visa	If you have more than one F-1 visa in your passport, you only need the most recent one. (Not applicable if you are Canadian)
Copy of Previous EAD(s)	Have copy(ies) of your EAD(s) ready for any OPT you used before at your current or previous educational level
COPY OF DIPLOMA	Have a copy of your Yale diploma ready. You do not need it to be translated.
official transcript or degree verification letter	In addition to your diploma, you also need to upload a copy of either your official transcript (recommended) or degree verification letter. You can obtain your official transcript and your degree verification from your Yale schools's registrars (For transcripts click here, for degree verification letters click here)

2. Create or Log into Your USCIS Account

Follow instructions for creating a USCIS Online Account or log in to your USCIS account if you already have one.
Click on 'MyUSICS'
Select 'File a Form Online' and choose 'Application for Employment Authorization (I-765)'.
Follow the instructions and complete each step in the order they are presented to you.

3. Completing Your Online STEM OPT Application

As you navigate the sections of the online I-765 application, follow these tips to complete and submit your application. Once you pay the fee, you will no longer be able to edit your application.

Getting Started

Question	How to Answer
What is your eligibility category?	This is one of the most important choices you need to make and you need to make it right. Choosing the wrong category may result in the denial of your application. Choose '(c)(3)(C) STEM Extension'.
what is your degree?	Include your degree level and CIP Code (you can find this code on your I-20, under Progam of Study, Major 1). (e.g. PhD 45.0603, MS 26.1309, MEM 03.0103, BA 42.2704)
what is your employer's name as listed in e-verify?	Write your employer's name exactly as it appears in the E-verify system. Your employer's name might be listed slightly different in the system, so always double check with them.
what is your employer's e-verify company identification number or a valid e-verify client company identification number?	Include the E-Verify number you obtained from your employer. Note: the E-Verify number is different from the EIN (Employer Identification Number) that you used on your I-983 or that appears on your W-2.
What is your reason for applying?	Choose 'Renewal of permission to accept employment'.
have you previously filed form i-765?	Select 'Yes'

About You

Question	How to Answer
U.S. Mailing Address	This is where your EAD will be mailed. Make certain that the address you put in this section will be valid for the next 5 months as this is where your receipt notice, approval notice, and EAD will be sent. Mail from USCIS will not be forwarded by the U.S. Postal Service. If you have no other options, you may use the OISS address (421 Temple St, New Haven CT 06511) as your mailing address. However, please note that OISS does not take any responsibility if there are any issues with the delivery of your EAD card. If you decide to use our address, enter “Yale OISS” under 'In Care Of Name (if any)'. You will get an email from Emily Solivan, OISS Front Desk Coordinator, once your EAD card is delivered to OISS during weekdays.
mailing address the same as your physical address?	If you used the OISS address (421 Temple St) as your mailing address, select 'No' and fill out your actual physical address here.
What is your date of birth?	Be sure to use MM/DD format.
What is your country of citizenship or nationality?	If you are a dual national, please remember to upload copies of both your passports in the relevant evidence section (see below).
What is your Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number (if any)?	Enter the admission number on your most recent I-94 arrival record (not your travel history). Make sure the record reflects your most recent entry to the U.S. and indicates F-1 as your class of admission and Admit Until Date: 'D/S', which stands for 'duration of status'. If you see any errors on your most recent I-94 record, please contact your OISS adviser.
Place of Arrival	Please choose the port of entry (air, land, or sea) where you cleared U.S. immigration during your most recent trip. If you used CBP Preclearance, your port of entry would be outside the United States. Choose that location as your place of arrival. If you took a domestic connecting flight in the U.S., choose the port of entry where you cleared the customs after your international flight.
Status at last arrival	Scroll down and select 'F1 - Student, Academic Or Language Program'.
what is your travel document number (if any)	If you already entered your passport number in the indicated field above this question, and if you do not have a separate travel document, please leave this section blank.
What is your A-Number?	Enter the USCIS# found on your OPT EAD. The number format should look like this: XXX-XXX-XXX.your If you do not know your USCIS # select 'I do not have or know my A-Number'.
What is your USCIS Account Number?	If this is your first online application to USCIS, you will not have a USCIS Account Number yet. Select 'I do not have or know my USCIS Online Account Number'. If you filed an online application before and know your USCIS Account Number, enter it here.
do you want the ssa to issue you a social security card?	If you do not have an SSN or if you have an SSN but lost your card, select 'Yes'. Checking this box will not delay the processing of your I-765. Please note that USCIS will forward your application to the SSA after they process your I-765, so your SSN might arrive either at the same time as your EAD or slightly later. If you do not receive your SSN by the time you begin working, you may want to reapply for one in-person at your nearest Social Security Administration office.

Evidence

Question	How to Answer
2 x 2 INCH photo	Get a new photo taken and save a digital file to upload in your application. Be sure to follow the photo requirements here. This photograph: must have been taken within 30 days of the submission of your OPT application must not have been previously used must not include eyeglasses
Form I-94	You do not need to upload your travel history. Make sure the record reflects your most recent entry to the U.S. and indicates F-1 as your class of admission and Admit Until Date: 'D/S', which stands for 'duration of status'. If you see any errors on your I-94, please contact your OISS adviser. Click the 'Get Most Recent I-94' button on this page Click print and save as PDF Upload it to this section
Employment Authorization Document or Government ID	Upload a legible copy(ies) of your EAD card(s) for all previous OPT. In addition to your EAD(s), please also upload in this section copies of: your passport(s) your F-1 visa (if any) Be sure to name each file appropriately.
Form I-20	Please print, sign, scan, and upload the new I-20 that OISS issued to recommend you for STEM OPT. This is the most important document in your online application as it shows your requested STEM OPT type, full or part-time status, and dates at the top of the second page. DO NOT SUBMIT your OPT application without uploading this new I-20. Remember that you must submit your STEM OPT application to USCIS within 60 days of the issuance of your new I-20 recommending STEM OPT. If more than 60 days have passed since your I-20 was issued, contact your OISS adviser.
college degree	Upload copies of your: diploma, and official transcript or degree verification letter
institution accreditation	If your STEM OPT application is based on your most recent degree that you obtained from Yale, you can skip this section. This part is only required for applications based on a prior degree.

Additional Information

You should select 'add a response' ONLY if you:

Are a citizen of three or more countries: Choose the 'About You' section, the 'Your immigration information' page, the 'What is your country of citizenship or nationality?' question. Under 'Additional Information', indicate your additional nationalities and be sure to upload copies of each passport under the 'Employment Authorization Document or Government ID' section of Evidence.

Important Note: You are not required to list previously obtained CPT, OPT, or different SEVIS numbers. That was a requirement only when you applied for post-completion OPT.

4. Review and Submit

Check that you are within the 60-day window after the date your new I-20 recommending STEM OPT was issued. Do not submit your application if it is outside this timeframe. Contact your OISS adviser for assistance.
Verify that all information is correct, then digitally sign and submit your application.

Important Note:

You must be physically present in the U.S. when you submit your application to USCIS.

5. Pay the Application Fee

Pay the required application fee of $410 (debit or credit card payment recommended).
Once you pay the fee, your application will be considered submitted and you can no longer make any changes to it.

If you have applied for OPT before, enter the USCIS# found on your OPT EAD. The number format should look like this: XXX-XXX-XXX.

If you do not know your USCIS # select 'I do not have or know my A-Number'.