OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING
17-MONTH EXTENSION (OPTX)
INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR
QUALIFIED F-1 STUDENTS ON OPT
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
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STEPS FOR APPLYING FOR 17-MONTH STEM
EXTENSION
1. LISTEN TO THE PRESENTATION, AND FOLLOWING ALL THE
STEPS OUTLINED IN THE POWERPOINT.
2. SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A COUNSELOR
(PHONE OR IN PERSON).
3. SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BY MAIL OR IN
PERSON.
4. FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY COUNSELOR.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
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OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING
17-MONTH EXTENSION (OPTX)
DEFINITION:
In 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
extended the maximum period of optional practical training (OPT)
from 12 months to 29 months (an additional 17 months) for F-1
students on OPT who have completed a science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree and accept
employment with employers enrolled in U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) E-Verify employment verification
program.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
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Eligibility
•
Have completed your degree and currently be participating in an
approved period of post-completion OPT that has not expired
(students on pre-completion OPT are not eligible for the
extension).
•
Work for U.S. employer in a job directly related to the major area
of study.
•
Have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctor’s degree in a
field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. [Your
CIP code on pg. 3 of most recent I-20 must be on this list].
•
Have a job offer from an employer registered with the E-Verify
employment verification system.
•
Not have previously received a 17-month extension, even if you
completed a second STEM degree.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
When to Apply
Applications for the 17-month extension can be filed up to 120 days prior to the
end of the regular period of post-completion OPT, but USCIS must receive and
receipt the application, before the current OPT expires. USCIS recommends
filing the application between the 120th and 90th day before OPT expires.
Employment Requirements
•
Must work in a position at least 20 hours per week for an E-Verify employer in
a position directly related to the student’s STEM degree.
•
May work multiple jobs, but all employers must be enrolled in E-Verify.
•
Are allowed to volunteer.
•
Must not accumulate more than 120 days of unemployment during entire OPT.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
How to Apply
A. Complete Form I-765.
B. The ISSS counselor does not endorse the I-765, but will review it
for completeness:
• Check the third box under “I am applying for”: Renewal…
• Item 16 of Form I-765: Enter the eligibility code: (c) (3) (C)
for the 17-month extension.
• Item 17 of Form I-765: list the numerical CIP code as shown
at the top of page 3 of your OPT I-20 (example, 11.0101),
your employer’s name as listed in E-Verify, and your
employer’s E-Verify Number (this is a 5 – 6 digit number;
NOT the company’s Tax ID#).
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
How to Apply
C. Update the Self-Report on ISSS’s website: Go to
http://uh.edu/oisss, then click on OPT SELF REPORT and
complete it.
D. Complete and sign the attached form “Student Statement of
Responsibility”.
E. Complete Form G-1145. This form is optional and allows you
to receive an email or text message when your application
has initially been received by the Service Center. Also,
request that your employer completes the “Employer
Statement of Understanding”.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
How to Apply
F. Make an appointment to bring the following documents to ISSS
OR submit the documents to ISSS by mail (either way, you must
have an appointment).
• If mailing, send to the address below:
Name of ISSS Counselor
(with whom you made the appointment)
University of Houston/ISSS
4465 University Drive, Rm 203N
Houston, TX 77204 – 3024
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
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Documents
i.
Copy of completed form “G-1145” (optional).
ii. Copy of completed form “I-765”.
iii. Copy of current OPT Employment Authorization Document (both sides).
iv. Copy of diploma.
v. Copy of I-94 card (both sides).
vi. Copy of passport pages(s) showing your name, photo, and expiration
date.
vii. Copy of F-1 visa (most recent).
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
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Documents
ix.
Job offer letter on company letterhead (include supervisor name,
email and/or telephone number).
x.
Original Employer Statement of Understanding.
xi.
Original Student Statement of Responsibility.
xii. A personal check payable to “University of Houston” for $60.*
xiii. A postage-paid label (for mailing package back to student, where
student expects counselor to return package by mail).
*You must also prepare a check payable to U.S. Department of
Homeland Security for $380, but you do not need to submit it to our
office.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
Application Process
G. The ISSS Counselor will review your request and determine your
eligibility. If a 17-month extension is warranted, a recommendation for an
OPT Extension will be processed in SEVIS which will generate a new I-20.
When you receive your new I-20, sign and date it. Then make a copy to
be included with your OPTX application, and send a copy to ISSS to be
placed in your file. The original I-20 is for your records.
H. Mail the I-765 with supporting documents to the USCIS address
provided by the Counselor. Submit the I-765 within 30 days of the issue
date of the new I-20 AND before your current OPT expires. The Service
Center must receive and receipt the application, before the current OPT
expires.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
Mailing Checklist
Mail the following documents in this order to the address
provided:
1. Form G-1145.
2. Form I-765.
3. Check for $380 payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
attached to I-765.
4. Photos (in holder or small envelope).
5. Photocopy of new I-20 with OPT Extension recommendation on p. 3.
(You keep the Original I-20).
6. Photocopy of passport photo page including expiration date.
7. Photocopy of most recent visa page.
8. Photocopy of I-94 card (both sides).
9. Photocopy of diploma from UH.
10.Copy of current EAD (both sides).
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
ISSS recommends that you mail your application package in a
verifiable manner (such as certified with proof of delivery
receipt). Be sure to keep a copy of all documents sent to
and received from USCIS.
Remember to provide ISSS with an copy of the new EAD card
issued for OPT Extension
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
Post Filing Tips
What You Should Know
 Students who have properly filed Form I-765 (for 17-month
Extension) prior to the end date of his/her current post-completion
OPT will be able to continue employment while their extension
application is pending, until a final decision is made on the I-765 or
for 180 days, whichever comes first.
 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
later, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
Post Filing Tips
What You Should Know
 A student may change employers during the 17-month extension,
however, the new employer must also be an E-Verify employer
and the job must be directly related to the student’s major.
Students must report the change in employment to ISSS by
updating the Self Report.
 Do not travel outside of the U.S. if your EAD is expired and the
17-month extension request is pending. Wait until you receive the
new EAD.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
Post Filing Tips
What You Should Know
 The student is expected to maintain evidence for each job showing
that it is directly related to the major.
 Keep evidence of: i) the position held, ii) proof of the duration of
the position, iii) job title, iv) contact information of supervisor, and
v) a description of the work. If it is not clear from the job
description, obtain a signed letter from the hiring officer,
supervisor, or manager stating how the student’s degree is related
to the work performed.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
Post Filing Tips
What You Should Know
 The employer must agree to report to ISSS any job termination or
early departure. Please give the employer The Employer’s
Statement of Understanding together with ISSS’s handout about
employer reporting responsibilities.
 The employer must consider a worker to have departed when the
employer knows the student has left employment or if the student
has not reported for work for a period of five consecutive business
days without the employer’s consent.
 Know and comply with the Student Statement of Responsibility.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
OPTX Application
 Download the form by clicking here: OPTX Application.
 Complete the Application and prepare the required documents.
 Make the appointment with a Counselor at ISSS and follow the
instructions to submit the your application package to the Counselor.
 If you have any questions, please ask the Counselor at the time of the
appointment.
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS
ONLINE STATUS CHECK

The status of your application can be checked online with your receipt number (See I-797):
https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do
ONLINE REQUEST FOR UPDATE


You can request an update if you haven’t received your card after 90 days:
https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do
AUTHORIZATION

The USCIS has the final authority to grant OPT.
SOURCES
 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(vi); 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10(ii(D); 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E);
 8 CFR 214.2(f)(12)(i)
STUDENT CENTER NORTH, RM 203, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3024  PHONE: (713) 743-5065  FAX: (713) 743-5079 
HTTP://UH.EDU/OISSS