STEM OPT 17-Month Extension Instructions
STOP: Before you apply for the OPT 17-Month Stem Extension, you must read this form in its entirety and sign in the
box at the bottom of OPT Statement of Responsibility.
Basic Description of the OPT STEM Extension:
F-1 students in lawful status who are currently engaged post-completion OPT in a STEM field may apply to the
Department of Homeland Security for an additional 17 months of OPT. This will apply to UConn Health’s Biomedical
Science students on F-1 visa status.
Eligibility
 Must have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a STEM field (Check your CIP code here:
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm)
 Must be employed, or have a job offer from an employer enrolled in E-Verify (www.uscis.gov/e-verify)
 Must submit your application to the DHS before your current 12-month OPT authorization expires.
 Must not have accrued more than 90 days of unemployment
 Must not have previously received a 17-month STEM Extension after earning a STEM degree
 Employment must be directly related to your degree/area of research
Timeline to apply: USCIS must receive the application prior to the Post-Completion OPT end date. Students may file for
the 17 month STEM extension as early as 120 days before completion of their 12-month OPT. If the I-765 is filed
properly, the student's employment authorization is considered automatically extended for up to 180 days while the
STEM OPT extension EAD application is pending.
How to Apply:
You must first request for the authorization to a Designated School Official (DSO) in the UConn Health Human
Resources/International Office. In order for the DSO to create a new I-20 with authorization of your STEM Extension
application, please submit the following forms:
Step 1: Turn in the following forms for the office to create your OPT Extension I-20
A. Signed Statement of Understanding (page 3 of this form)
B. An employment verification letter from an E-Verified employer (instructions on Page 4)
Once the DSO has received these items, we will print and mail a new I-20 that certifies you are eligible for OPT to be
included in your OPT Extension Application. (Please provide us with your mailing address)
Step 2: Fill out the I-765 Form
Please download and complete an electronic version of the I-765 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765.pdf). print and
sign the form.
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Write “None” or “N/A” (Not Applicable) as needed. Do not leave any questions blank!
Item 16 is “(c)(3)(C)”
Item 17: “list the major” as it appears on the I-20 (or type the CIP code listed on the 3rd page of your I-20)
Make sure your signature fits between the two lines
Human Resources, 16 Munson Road, Farmington, CT 06032, Mail Code 4035
Phone: 860-679-4430 - Fax: 860-679-1051– Email: duggal@adp.uchc.edu
Step 3: Gather the necessary documents to be included in your application for mailing to USCIS
Copy the following documents to include with the I-765.
Document Checklist
 Form I-765 (original) www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-765.pdf
 Copy of your current EAD (OPT Card) (front and back)
 Copy of transcript showing the degree awarded and the program of study
 Copy of passport information page
 Copy of recent entry I-94 (front and back or electronic copy, if applicable)
 Copy of F-1 visa stamp
 Copy of any Form I-797A Notice of Action (if applicable)
 Copy of your new OPT Extension I-20, with your printed name, signature and date
 2 passport photos – For photo requirements, review information on link below.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/photoexamples/photoexamples_5331.html
 Personal check payable or money order, payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” for $380.00
(Do not make check payable to “DHS”)
You may use copies of most of the documents for the application, but you must mail your original check, photos and I765.
Instructions on mailing the OPT Extension Application
Once we have prepared your application, you will need to pick up the packet from HR and mail your
application to the USCIS Service Center having jurisdiction over the place of residence you have written in Item
3 of the I-765. If you live in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania or any other state in the
Northeast region, send the application to:
Use this address if using the regular mail:
(I-765 EAD)
USCIS
P. O. Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266
Use this address if using a courier service (FedEx, UPS, DHL)
USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121, Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
The USCIS will send the EAD card to the address indicated on the I-765 form. The address must be within the
jurisdiction of USCIS Regional Service Center to which the application is submitted or it will not be processed.
If your address in Item 3 on the I-765 is or will be outside the Northeast region at the time you expect to
receive the EAD, speak with an ISSO advisor before mailing your application.
Human Resources, 16 Munson Road, Farmington, CT 06032, Mail Code 4035
Phone: 860-679-4430 - Fax: 860-679-1051– Email: duggal@adp.uchc.edu
Statement of Understanding and Reporting Responsibilities for OPT STEM Extension
1. An F-1 student who has properly filed Form I-765 prior to the end date of his or her 12 month post completion OPT is allowed to
maintain continuous employment for up to 180 days while USCIS adjudicates the request for the extension.
2. USCIS will notify the applicant of the decision and, if the application is denied, of the reason or reasons for the denial. The
applicant may not appeal the decision.
3. The employment authorization period for the 17-month OPT extension begins on the day after the expiration of the initial postcompletion OPT employment authorization and ends 17 months thereafter, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved.
4. For the 17-month STEM extension, employment must be traditional paid employment for at least 20 hours per week
5. During your 17-month STEM extension, you may work in a paid position for only an employer that is an E-Verified.
6. F-1 students may not accrue more than 120 days of unemployment during the total period of employment authorization or 29
months.
7. The student is responsible for making arrangements to have the I-797 receipt notice and EAD mailed or delivered to him, after it
arrives at the International Office from USCIS.
8. If the student mails the OPT STEM application themself, the student is responsible for filing form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address
Card in order to notify Department of Homeland Security of any address change, especially if one occurs while the OPT-17
application is pending. Failure to do so may result in a delay in receiving the OPT-17 Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
9. Reporting Requirements While on the 17-Month OPT. Compliance is mandatory in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.
10-Day Reporting Requirements
Within 10 days of the change, the student must report (using an OPT Personal Information Update Form in Email or person)
to the student’s DSO a change in:
 Full legal name, Current mailing and Residential address, Phone number and Email
 Employer name, Employer address, Loss of employment, Date you began working for the current employer
6-Month Reporting Requirements
Send the DSO at the International Office at UConn Health a validation report every six months starting from the date the
STEM extension starts and ending when the student’s F-1 status ends or the STEM extension ends, whichever occurs first.
The report is due within 10 business days of each program date. The validation report must the same information that is
required on a OPT Personal Update form:
 Full legal name, Current mailing and residential address, phone number and email
 Name and address of the current employer, Date you began working for the current employer
What should students report to ensure that their status does not expire due to excessive unemployment time? Students are
encouraged to report changes in employment to their DSO as soon as possible through the OPT Change of Personal Data form
on the International Office website. SEVP recommends that students report changes within 10 business days of the change to
avoid situations where a DHS official may determine the student is out of status.
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I have read and understand the statements above and certify that I will take full responsibility for execution of the above
mentioned reporting requirements and that I will not rely on the International Office at UConn Health to remind me of my
responsibility.
I have been informed by this Statement of Understanding provided by the Designated School Official at the Human
Resources/International Office at UConn Health of my responsibilities for maintaining status while on OPT.
I also understand that I am responsible to monitor the International Office website at UCONN Health and the Student and
Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website (www.ice.gov/sevis) for subsequent updates to any reporting requirements and
that I will be responsible for complying with those requirements.
I have read all statements contained in this Statement of Understanding and by signing below indicate that I understand the
statements and will comply with the reporting requirements outlined therein.
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Signature
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Date
Human Resources, 16 Munson Road, Farmington, CT 06032, Mail Code 4035
Phone: 860-679-4430 - Fax: 860-679-1051– Email: duggal@adp.uchc.edu
Employer Responsibilities & Instructions
A. Employer must be enrolled in e-Verify (http://www.dhs.gov/e-verify)
B. Employers of students granted the 17-month STEM OPT extension must also agree to report within 48 hours the
termination or departure of a student if the termination or departure is prior to the end of the authorized period of
OPT. The employer must make this report "to the DSO at the student's school or through any other means or
process identified by DHS." To meet this requirement, the employer must provide an employment verification to
student as outlined below.
Instructions on the employment verification letter:
Request a letter from current or future employer on company letterhead that certifies that you are currently employed
and specifies the location at which you are employed, and must include the following information:
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Employer name
Employer address
Job title or position
Employment start-date
The following statement should be included in the attestation
“[Name of Employer] agrees to report to the International Office at UConn Health within 48 hours if
or when, (name of the individual), is terminated or otherwise ends employment with our company
prior to the end of the authorized period of OPT.
Human Resources, 16 Munson Road, Farmington, CT 06032, Mail Code 4035
Phone: 860-679-4430 - Fax: 860-679-1051– Email: duggal@adp.uchc.edu
Human Resources, 16 Munson Road, Farmington, CT 06032, Mail Code 4035
Phone: 860-679-4430 - Fax: 860-679-1051– Email: duggal@adp.uchc.edu