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STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) ApplicationStep 1 Pay the GSU STEM OPT Fee at the Cashier’s Office. See attached for form and payment options.Step 2 Email the Office of International Services at GSU (ois@govst.edu) with the following documents: The OPT Update Form. Please note that Employer EIN and supervisor information are required at theSTEM OPT stage. A copy of the Form I-983 Training Plan, completed and signed by both you and your supervisor. A draft of Form I-765. See attached for a detailed guide on completing the I-765 form. A copy of your GSU STEM OPT Fee Receipt from the Cashier’s Office.Step 3 OIS will issue you a new I-20, showing the 24-month STEM OPT recommendation. Review the I-20 foraccuracy and sign and date it when you receive it.Step 4 When I-20 is received, gather complete packet (arranged in this order; do not use staples): Fee of 410, payable to “Dept. of Homeland Security.” Payable by personal check, money order, or creditcard (if paying by credit card, must also submit Form G-1450). 2 color US passport-style photographs. Photos must be taken within the last 30 days, measure 2 inchesby 2 inches, and have a plain white or off-white background. Lightly write your name on the back with apencil or felt-tip pen. Completed Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (optional, but recommended). Completed and signed Form I-765. Copy of new I-20 from OIS (pages 1 and 2) with recommendation for the 24-month OPT extension (keepthe original I-20). Copy of any previous I-20s that show CPT or OPT recommendations. Copy of your current EAD card (and any previous EAD cards, if applicable). Copy of your current I-94 printout. Copy of your passport identity page (and any renewal pages); and US visa page. Evidence that your degree meets the STEM degree/major requirements (copy of diploma or transcripts).Step 5 Mail packet (arranged in order above) to USCIS Submit the application to the USCIS Lockbox for the mailing address you list on the I-765 form. Your packet must be received by USCIS before the end date of your current 12-month OPT period andwithin 60 days of the issue date of the STEM OPT I-20.If you live in: Alaska, Arizona,California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho,Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, NorthDakota, Ohio, Oregon, SouthDakota, Utah, Washington,Wisconsin, Wyoming, Guam, or theNorthern Mariana IslandsFile your application at:USCIS Phoenix LockboxFor US Postal Service (USPS):USCISPO Box 21281Phoenix, AZ 85036For FedEx, UPS, and DHL:USCISAttn: NFB AOS1820 E. Skyharbor Circle SSuite 100Phoenix, AZ 85034If you live in: Alabama, Arkansas,Connecticut, Delaware, District ofColumbia, Florida, Georgia,Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine,Maryland, Massachusetts,Mississippi, New Hampshire, NewJersey, New Mexico, New York,North Carolina, Pennsylvania,Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, SouthCarolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee,Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S.Virgin Islands, or West VirginiaFile your application at:USCIS Dallas LockboxFor US Postal Service (USPS):USCISPO Box 660867Dallas, TX 75266For FedEx, UPS, and DHL:USCISAttn: NFB AOS2501 S State Hwy, Business 121Suite 400Lewisville, TX 75067Step 6 Email a copy of your I-797 receipt notice and new EAD card to ois@govst.edu when received If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) please contact OIS immediately for assistance.Step 7 Add important reporting dates to your phone or personal calendar See the OIS OPT Cover Sheet returned to you with your STEM I-20 for reporting requirements and dates.

STEM OPT: Reminders for completing an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Download I-765 form and instructions from USCIS website only! www.uscis.gov/i-765 It is a 7-page form and should have the date05/31/2018 in the bottom left corner.Fill out pages 1-4 completely according to the instructions. Write NA (short for “Not Applicable”) for any question you do not answerand write “None” if it asks for a number. You will not use Pages 5-6 if you don’t have an interpreter or preparer. Use Page 7 if youneed more room to answer any of the questions. Send all 7 pages to USCIS, even the blank ones.Type entire form (except signature) to avoid misinterpretation of handwriting.Hints for Page 1:-In Part 1, check the box forHints for Page 2:-Use “in care of name” if you areHints for Page 3:-Enter the code C 3 C for STEMHints for Page 4:-Complete Part 3 entirely.Renewal of Permission.not a resident of the addresswhere you are having yourdocuments/EAD card sent.OPT in the boxes in Question 27.-Sign and date the final versionyou send to USCIS in pen by hand.-DO NOT FORGET apartmentnumber if there is one. In 5c and7b, check the box and write theapartment number in the biggerbox.-Remember that an E-VerifyNumber is different from the EINon the Form I-983. You need towrite the E-Verify No. here.-In Part 2, write your full legalname as it appears on yourpassport.-If your name appeareddifferently on an old passport, ifyou got married and your namechanged, etc – include the oldversion(s) of your name in“Other names used.”-Follow instructions to provideSSN. You should have one, so donot request a new one.-Answer all items in Question 28E-Verify No. is usually 6 or 7 digits(whereas the EIN is 9 digits andfollows the format xx-xxxxxxx).Hints for Page 7 (ifnecessary):-Use this page if you need morespace for any questions (examplelong name doesn’t fit in spaceprovided on Page 1).-Use the boxes to write the Page,Part and Question referred to.

OPT Update FormStudent InformationIDENTIFYING INFORMATIONFamily Name(s)Given Name(s)as on passport:as on passport:GSU Student ID:SEVIS ID:US ADDRESS INFORMATION (where you currently reside)Street Address:Apartment/Unit Number:City:State:Zip Code:CONTACT INFORMATIONCell Phone Number:Non-GSU Email Address:Reporting Information (Please select all that apply below. You may select as many categories as needed.) I want to apply for OPT Desired OPT Start Date:Please write your desired OPT start date in the section to the right and include employer info on Page 2 if you already have foundemployment. Attach a draft of your I-765, letter from academic advisor, and copy of GSU OPT fee receipt. I want to apply for STEM OPTPlease validate Employer Information on Page 2 (required if changing employers before applying for STEM). Attach completed I-983 TrainingPlan, draft of your I-765, and copy of GSU STEM OPT fee receipt. I want to submit a copy of my new/updated EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENTPlease attach a copy of your EAD card. I want to report a NAME CHANGE, an ADDRESS CHANGE, or a CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGEPlease enter your new/corrected information in the “Student Information” section above. If name change, attach copy of new passport. I want to report a CHANGE IN MY EMPLOYMENT STATUSPlease complete the appropriate Employment Status Update section(s) on Page 2 of this form.For STEM OPT, please attach a final I-983 self-evaluation (if leaving a job) and a new I-983 (if starting a new job). I want to submit a STEM 6-MONTH VALIDATION REPORT or a SELF EVALUATION of my training progressDeadline: within 10 business days of the 6, 12, 18 and 24-month marks of the STEM OPT extension. Documentation: complete the “StudentInformation” section above and “Employment Information” on Page 2, even if no changes. Attach I-983 self-evaluation at the 12-month and 24month marks. Please REPRINT MY UPDATED I-20 showing the new OPT authorization or employment informationThis box must be checked if you wish to receive an updated copy of your I-20.As the undersigned, I have read the above and understand the need to maintain my F-1 lawful immigration status. I understand myreporting responsibilities on OPT and STEM OPT extension. I understand OPT employment must be related to my field of study. I alsounderstand that immigration regulations are subject to change, and ultimately it is my responsibility to be aware of such changes.Signature of Student:Date:

OPT Form (Page 2) I need to report NEW EMPLOYMENTEmployment InformationEmployer (Company) NameEIN Employer ID (9 digits) *required for STEMEmployer Street Address (where you are physically working)Supervisor Name (family name and given name)Start DateHours per WeekUnit/SuiteCitySupervisor PhoneStateZip CodeSupervisor e-mailHow does this job relate to your degree? Please write 1-2 sentences explaining the connection. Full time (21 hrs) Part time (0-20 hrs)Please clarify your new job by checking the appropriate boxes below (only if applicable): My new job is arranged through a staffing agency or parent company. The staffing agency/parentcompany that placed me in this position is:Staffing Agency/Parent Company NameStaffing Agency/Parent Company AddressUnit/SuiteCityStateZip Code My new job is a “work from home” position. I will complete the work at my home address listed on Page 1. My new job is as a “self-employed business owner.” The employer address listed above is the registeredbusiness address for my company. *Note: self-employment is not permitted on STEM OPT. Before starting my new job, I was employed at:Previous Employer NameLast Day Working with this Employer I will continue working with this employer. I will hold multiple jobs simultaneously.If STEM OPT, please contact DSO about I-983 training plan requirements for multiple employers. I need to report DEPARTURE FROM EMPLOYMENTUnemployment for OPT purposes includes days between jobs or periods during which you are working 20 hours/week or less.Previous Employer NameLast Day Working with this Employer

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Fee Payment Form for International StudentsNard Code: OPTISPlease complete the items below and submit to the Cashier’s Office along with payment. You will needto submit a copy of the payment receipt to OIS along with your OPT application materials.Date:Student’s NameID #:I am currently applying for (check one):Post-Completion (12-month) OPT 200STEM (24-month extension) OPT 400Methods of Payment Accepted:s Via phone: You may pay by credit/debit card by calling the Cashier’s Office at 708-534-4055. Inthis case, you will also need to send this payment form by email to cashier@govst.edu. In Person: You may pay by credit/debit card, cashier’s check, money order or cash. By mail: Send a cashier’s check or money order made payable to Governors State University(along with your OIS application for OPT) to:Governors State University1 University ParkwayUniversity Park, IL 60484Attention: Office of International ServicesThe Cashier’s Office keeps this payment form.The student receives receipt for payment.

For STEM OPT, please attach a final I-983 self-evaluation (if leaving a job) and a new I-983 (if starting a new job). I want to submit a STEM 6-MONTH VALIDATION REPORT or a SELF EVALUATION of my training progress . Deadline: within 10 business days of the 6, 12, 18 and 24-month marks of the STEM OPT extension. Documentation: complete the "Student