Paying the STEM OPT Application Fee

You will need to include a check or money order for $520 USD payable to 'U.S. Department of Homeland Security' with your STEM OPT package.

If you are using a check, it should be linked to a U.S. bank account.

Important Note: Please make sure to:

Date your check using the MM/DD/20YY format, and
Maintain a high enough balance in the account linked to your check for at least the next two months or until USCIS cashes your check.

Money orders can be purchased at a Post Office [1] or obtained from your bank (also called a 'cashier's check').

Please see the images below if you need help writing your check or filling out your money order.

Sample Check

Sample OPT Check for $410: do not abbreviate the payees name.

Sample Money Order

Sample money order: do not abbreviate the payee's name

You can find the appropriate USCIS address to include in your money order on this page [2]; look under “Foreign Students”, category (c)(3)(i). Please note that the address of the lockbox facility is slightly different depending on your mailing method (via USPS or courier service).

< Back to STEM OPT Application Process [3]