PEMBROKE OPT STEM Extension Instructions

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Sarah Kelley
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1 UNtvEnslry o/ Nonrn CanouNa PEMBROKE OPT STEM Extension Instructions Elieibilitv Requfuements To be eligible to apply for the l7-month STEM extension of OPT you must meet the following eligibilrty requirements:. Have a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field. The STEM list can be found at htto:// o Be engaged in post-completion OPT when submitting your application for the extension. Your window to apply for the extension is within 120 days prior to the end date of your cunent EAD card. o You mwt not have already applied for and been approved for the STEM extension. You only receive l(one) STEM extension during yow entire F-l status, even if you complete multiple degrees. o You must have firll-time (>20 hours per week) employment directly related to your degree level and field of study with an employer who is part of is an internet-based system operated by USCIS in partnership with the Social Secwity Administration to help employers determine the employment eligibility of their employees). Startine the Apolication Process with IP To start the application process, you would request a Form I-20 with OPT STEM recommendation from IP. IP will need the following documentation ftom you: - The Application & Certification for F-l OPT STEM Extension, which you can find in this document. - A copy ofthe completed Form I-765. You can find instructions on how to complete the I-765 for a STEM extension request on the USCIS website, hle/:ullu.tegis,gqlzt A copy of your employment offer letter. This letter must have the following details in it: o job title, o job description (i.e. how is this job related to your degree level and field of study), o number of hours you work per week (>20 hours per week), o work location address, o a statement indicating that the company is an E-Verified employer (it is preferred, but not required that the E-Veri! number be included in the offer letter) - A copy ofthe front and back of your EAD card. You can submit these documents to the IP office or send them via to IP@uncp.edu. IP will review your application and (if eligible) will issue a new Form I-20 with the OPT STEM recommendation. Once you have received the new I-20 form, you will put together your application to be mailed to USCIS. You will find a checklist for your application in the next section.

2 Apolication Checklist (for USCIS) Below is a list of the documents you will need to gather to submit your application to USCIS. Please anange your documents in the order listed here: - Form G-l145 (optional, for electronic notification of receipt of the application): I l45.odf - Original and completed Form I-765 (signed within 30 days of mailing): - Check or money order for $380 made out to "U.S. Departrnent of Homeland Security". Staple the check or money order to the top of Form I-765. write your name, date ofbirth and SEVIS number on the back of the - Two passport photos (2x2) - photos and paperclip them to the top ofthe Form I-765. Make sure the photos meet the requirements specified here: htto:// htnI. - Photocopy of Form I-20 with OPT STEM recommendation (do NOT send the original). - Photocopy of the I-94 print out (OR a copy of the l-797 notice indicating change of status to F-l, if applicable) - Photocopy of the passport ID page and/or expiration page (valid at least 6 months into the future). (Also include any pages ofthe passport which have corrections to infomration on your ID or expiration page, ifapplicable). - Photocopy ofmost recent US visa. - Photocopy of current EAD card, ftont and back. - Employment offer letter (see previous section for letter requirements) - Proof of degree completion (e.g. Copy of degree certificate, trenscript). This document must list the degree level you obtained, the field of study and the completion date of your degree. IP recommends that you keep a copy ofthe entire OPT STEM application. Mailins lnstructions The OPT STEM application must be submitted to the correct USCIS Lockbox Facility for processing and adjudication. Where to nail the application to depends on the mailing address you indicate in item 3 of the Form I-765. Use the USCIS address below which corresponds with the state of your mailing address (as indicated on the I-765) is in: Alaska, Arizona, Califomia, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, IllinIP, Indiana low4 Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana" Nebrask4 Nevad4 North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Guam, or the Commonwealth of Northem Mariana Islands. USCIS Phoenix Lockbox For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries: USCIs PO Box Phoenix. AZ For Express mail and courier deliveries: USCIS Attn: AOS 1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S Suite 100 Phoenix. A Alabam4 Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Florid4 Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvani4 Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, or West Virginia USCIS Dallas Lockbox For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries: USCIS PO Box Dallas,TX75266 For Exoress mail and courier deliveries: USCIS Ann: AOS 2501 S. State Hwy. l2l Business Suite 400 Lewisville. fi 75067

3 You are responsible for mailing your OPT STEM application to the appropriate USCIS address in a timely manner and confirming these mailing instructions by checking the USCIS web page (htto:// 765 ). USCIS must have received your application before the end date ofyour current EAI) card. Reportine Requirements Dudne the OPT STEM Extension As long as you are in F-1 status, IP continues to manage yow immigration record. This means that you have to continue to report certain information to IP to maintain your F-l immigration status. You must report the following information : l. Change in address (within l0 days ofthe change occurring). 2. Change in employment situation. During the STEM extension, you are required to conlirm your employment whenever you have a change in your employment situation OR every 6 nonths (whichever comes sooner). Please make sure to notate the dates at 6 month intervals on your calendar - it is your responsibility to complete this timely and maintain your F-l status. 3. Change in visa status. Please submit acopyof proof of your new status (e.g. I-797 Approval Notice), so we can close your F-l record. Please this to IP@mcp.edu 4. Transfer to another school to start a new degree program. 5. Change to a new degree program at UNCP. 6. Departure from the US What to Expect After Mailine Yow Aoplication to USCIS 1. You will receive an electronic notification (based on your G-l145 Form) that the USCIS Service Center has received your application and has begun the review process. This notification contains your case number, which allows you to look up your case status on the USCIS website: http :// gov/portavsite/uscis 2. Within 3 weeks after the date USCIS receives your application, you should receive a hard copy receipt notice indicating that your case is in progress. This notice will be mailed to the address listed on your Form I-765. Please check the notice for accuracy of your information. Ifthere are conects needed on the receipt you must notiff USCIS as this is how your information will show on the EAD. 3. Next, you will receive a decision regarding your case. If approved, you'll receive the decision and the EAD card together. Keep in mind that USCIS standard processing for OPT STEM is 90 days. You need to wait 90 days. If you case goes beyond 90 days please inform IP. 4. Please submit a copy of the EAD card to IP via at lp@lncp.edu or in person. **Ifyou receive any other notifications ftom USCIS, please contact IP immediately. If you need to change your mailing address due to unforeseen circumstances, please contact IP** Please note that as long as USCIS has received your complete application prior to the end date of your curent EAD card date and you have received their receipt confirmation, your legal status and employment authorization are automatically extended by up to 180 days or until you receive a decision ftom USCIS.

4 LAST Name Banner ID Apolication and Certification for f,'-1 OPT STEM Extension To Be Completed By Student SEVIS ID First Name Cunent U.S. Physical Address StreetName Unit/Aoartrnent City UNCP Address Current EAD Start Date State Cunent EAD End Date Postal Code Please carefirlly read and certifu the information below _ I hereby request IP to issue me a Form I-20 in support of my application to extend my OPT based on my completion of a STEM field program, I have read the instructions, and I certifr that I am to the best ofmy knowledge eligible for this extension. _ I certiff that I will apply for my OPT extension with USCIS before my current EAD expires and within 30 days ofip issuing my new Form I-20. I also certiff that I will send a copy ofmy new EAD to IP (pg or pdf format via IP@rrncp.edu ) as soon as I receive it. I also take full responsibility for sending my complete OPT application to USCIS on time and acknowledge that I will not hold IP responsible for late, missing, or inconect information in my application. I certifu that I will inform IP as soon as one of the following conditions or circumstances exist: - I change my nane - I change my address or contact information (US residence, , phone, permanent residence in home country) - I change my nonimmigrant status (e.g., H-18, F-2) - I complete my employment and retum to my home country - I change my job status (quit work, am fued or laid off, am relocated, change or add employers, etc.) _ I also certif that I will veriff my continued OPT status and other required details via the IP OPT Validation Website every six months beginning with the date of my STEM Extension EAD. I understand that my OPT and/or SEVIS record may be terminated if I do not verifr my information with IP every 6 months, I am unemployed more than 120 days, or do not firlfill my F-l reporting and status requirements. Student Signature Date

5 To Be Completed By Employer Employer Company Name E-Veriff Number STEM Position Title Employer Physical Address Street Name Suite. Floor. Unit City State Postal Code Narne of Supervisor Supervisor Supervisor Position Title Supervisor Phone By signing below the employer certilies thats - The employee has been (or is being) offered a temporary position with the company and that the work is directly related to a field in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM). - The employer is enrolled in the e-veriff system. - UNCP IP is notified within 48 hours via fax or when the employee is no longer employed with the company, the employee's nonimmigrant status changes (e.g., H-lB), or the employee departs the US for an extended period (45 days or more). Employer's Repres entative Name Employer's Representative Signafu re Date

17-Month STEM OPT Extension Request Form

International Services for Students & Scholars Phone: 518.276.6561 Fax: 518.276.4839 17-Month STEM OPT Extension Request Form Name: RIN (Rensselaer ID Number): SEVIS ID# N Local Address: Phone: Degree