A Guide for Filling Out the I-765
Application for Employment
Authorization Online
Applying for STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Rev. 5/4/2021
Read USCIS Instructions
This is a general guide to help you complete Form I-765. It is your
responsibility to ensure that your I-765 is completed correctly, fully (with
sufficient supporting documents and required evidence) and is filed in
a timely manner.
Please read the Instructions for the Form I-765 at
https://www.uscis.gov/I-765
Following this guide does not guarantee approval of your OPT by USCIS
and should not be construed as legal advice.
Create an Account
Visit https://myaccount.uscis.gov/
Create an account
A USCIS Account confirmation email will be
sent to you. Follow the instructions in the
email to confirm your account. It is
important that you timely check your Inbox
and/or other folders for the email with
instructions on confirming your account.
Terms of Use
Carefully read the terms of
use and click “I Agree” to
the acknowledgement.
Password Creation
Follow the prompts to
create a password and
verification method.
Please keep your login
credentials confidential.
Then provide answers to
five security questions.
USCIS Account
Click on My USCIS to begin your
application.
Select “I am an applicant,
petitioner, or requestor.”
Begin your Application
Click on “File a form online.”
Then select “Application for Employment
Authorization (I-765).” Then, click “Start Form.”
Things to Keep in Mind
If you are inactive for 30 days, you will lose the work
that you have done on your application.
By filing online, you may be
requested to appear in-person for
an interview or provide your
fingerprints, photo, and/or
signature.
If you receive a notice from USCIS
to appear for an interview or
biometric services appointment,
please contact your OISS advisor.
Getting Started: Basis of Eligibility
For STEM OPT Extension, select (c) (3) (C) STEM Extension,
from the dropdown menu.
Degree and Employment
Enter your major and CIP code.
Ex: Industrial Engineering, 14.3501
Your CIP code can be found on your I-20,
under “Major 1.”
Check with your
supervisor or HR staff
member to retrieve
your employer’s E-
Verify information,
specifically your
employer’s name as
listed in E-Verify and
your employer’s E-
Verify company
identification number.
Institution Accreditation
First, if your STEM OPT extension is based on an already earned STEM
degree, you must upload evidence that Lehigh University is an
institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
Evidence of Lehigh University’s Middle States accreditation is
available on the Provost's Publications and Reports page of their
website. Please upload the PDF of the accreditation.
Second, you MUST upload evidence that Lehigh University is
certified by the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP). You
can find this on the Study in the States website by entering Lehigh
University’s name and zip code, 18015. Please print that page as a
PDF and upload the PDF of the page as shown in the top right hand
corner.
If the STEM OPT extension is based on the same degree as the post-
completion OPT, you would not need to include an accreditation
letter.
Getting Started: Reason for Applying
Select if you have applied before for OPT/
Select if your OPT was authorized, but
your EAD card was lost, stolen, damaged, or needs
to be corrected and the correction is NOT due to
USCIS error.
If this is your first time applying for OPT, answer .
If you have applied for OPT or EAD card in the past,
answer .
Getting Started: Preparer & Interpreter
Information
Answer: No.
About You: Your Name
Type your name exactly as it appears
.
Type any other
names that have
been used on any
official records or
documents (maiden
names, nicknames,
etc.).
If you do not have
additional names
that have been used
on official
documents, click
About You: Your Contact Information
Enter your contact information.
This address is where your I-797
receipt notice, approval
notice, and EAD card will be
sent. Typically we recommend
that you put OISS’s address.
However, since all staff are
working remotely due to
COVID-19 and mail is checked
sporadically,
to avoid
documents being sent to
incorrect or old addresses. You
must be listed as physically
residing there with USPS or
have indicated the person
living at the residence in the
“In care of name” section.
About You: Your Contact Information
,
If your mailing address and physical address are
different, provide your current physical address.
About You: Describe Yourself
Select your Gender and Marital Status.
About You: When & Where Were You Born
Remember to use U.S. date
formatting: month/day/year.
Your city, town, or village, as well as
state or province of birth should be
typed as indicated on your birth
certificate.
When completing this section, use the
dropdown menu to select your
country of birth. If the country’s name
has changed or no longer exists,
select the name of the country as it
was named when you were born. If
that name is not listed, select the
name of the country as it is named
today if the name has changed.
About You: Your Immigration Information
List ALL of the countries that
you are a citizen or national.
List the entire I-94
Number found on
your I-94 (from most
recent entry into the
United States). You
can print your
current I-94 at
https://i94.cbp.dhs.g
ov/I94
Fill in the blanks with the
information directly from
your passport.
Use the dropdown menu
and select F-1 Student
here. *If you are not
currently an F-1 Student,
please see an OISS
advisor.
Type your current SEVIS
ID number, which can
be found on the top left
corner of your I-20
About You: Other Information
You will only have an A-
Number if you were
previously in immigration
status such as H1B, H4, etc.,
or if you’ve had OPT
authorized in the past. If
you have a prior EAD card,
please enter the USCIS
number on the EAD card. If
you do not have an A-
Number, leave this blank.
If you do not have a USCIS
Online Account Number
(most F-1 students do not),
click “I do not have or know
my USCIS Online Account
Number.”
If have a Social Security Card, click
and enter the number. Click if you do
not.
If you do not have a Social Security Card
and would like to request one, click .
About You: Other Information
If you do not have a Social Security Card
and clicked “Yes” for a new Social
Security Card, complete this Section by:
• Checking “Yes” to the “Consent for
Disclosure.”
• Type your father’s first and last names.
• Type your mother’s first and last names.
Evidence: EAD or Government ID
If you have an unexpired EAD card, upload a
copy of the front AND back of the EAD card.
If you do not have an unexpired EAD card,
then upload a copy of a government issued
identification that shows your picture, name,
and date of birth, such as the biographic page
of your foreign passport.
Evidence: I-20
Your I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation will be
issued to you you have submitted your OPT
Extension request in iHome.
You the I-20 and then
upload it to the online application.
For STEM OPT, you must submit your online
application with days of an OISS advisor issuing
your I-20.
Additional Information
If you would like to submit a copy of your job offer
letter from a registered E-Verify company, you can
upload it here. Be sure it is printed on official
letterhead.
If you have an I-20 with a different SEVIS number,
click “Add a response” and add the following
information from your previous I-20:
• Previous SEVIS ID
• Name of School
• Program Start and End Dates
Review Your Application
If you see any alerts or
warnings, address them,
you must address them.
If there are no errors,
you will see the green
check mark to indicate
your application is
complete.
Review Application Summary
You must save the PDF for your records. You must
also upload a copy to the OPT Extension request in
iHome.
Statement & Signature
Check the statement attesting that you can understanding
English, and that you have read and understand every
question and instructions on the application, as well as the
answers to every question.
Then, prepare your
payment.
Check the statement attesting that
you have read and agree to the
applicant’s statement.
Type your full name.
Communicate with OISS Part 1
Submit a STEM OPT Extension Request in iHome and upload the following documents :
Your completed, unsigned Form I-765
Both sides of EAD card
I-983 training plan: Instructions on how to fill out I-983 can be found here.
Optional: Job offer letter from a registered E-Verify company printed on official
letterhead.
Communicate with OISS Part 2
Prepare the rest of your documents:
Your 2 x 2 passport photo
I-94 record
Official transcript from the Lehigh University Registrar's Office
Copy of your diploma that shows your degree level and program of study
If you have an I-20 with a different SEVIS number, your previous I-20
If STEM OPT extension is based on a previously earned STEM degree,
provide Lehigh’s accreditation by the U.S. Department of Education and
SEVP certification
After you have submitted your STEM OPT Extension request in iHome, your new
I-20 will be issued. Then you can continue to payment.
***DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION WITHOUT AN I-20 FROM OISS***
Payment & Submission
Click on the blue
“Pay and submit”
button.
Choose your method of payment. You can
pay by electronic check, debit, or certain
credit cards.
Finalize Payment
If you are using your checking or savings
account, enter your banking information
(routing and account, which are at the
bottom of your check).
If you are using your credit or debit card, enter
your personal and account information.
After Submission
Check your USCIS online account often to see if you receive a receipt number and any
updates.
Be on the lookout for an approval notice and EAD card from USCIS. It will be mailed to the
mailing address listed on your Form I-765. If your mailing address changes while the process is
pending, submit a Change of Address with USCIS online or by calling 800-375-5283.
Notify an OISS advisor immediately if you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Request for
Information (RFI). Email a copy of the documents requested. Failure to respond to a RFE or RFI
will lead to a denial of your OPT request.
If there is any problem with your EAD (name misspelled, wrong dates, etc). Email a scanned
copy of the card with a description to OISS.
If you want to withdraw your OPT application after submission to USCIS and before it has been
approved, contact OISS.
