The OISS will be closed today between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. We will be open regular hours tomorrow Friday, March 29. If you have any questions or concerns please e-mail oiss@tulane.edu. Thank you for your understanding.

Mailing in your STEM OPT Application to USCIS

The process below is specifically for physically mailing your STEM Optional Practical Training extension application to USCIS. You must first submit your documents to OISS in order for us to process your new ‘STEM OPT Requested’ I-20.  You will then be responsible for assembling your packet based on the instructions found below.  For general complete instructions and regulations regarding STEM OPT we suggest that you visit our website and main application form. If you would prefer to e-file your application you can visit our e-filing guide.

STEP 1

You must e-mail scans of the documents below to oiss@tulane.edu in PDF format only.  Please try to keep the number of PDF files to a minimum (ideally all in one PDF). If the file size of one PDF is too big then feel free to split the PDFs and send it in multiple e-mails:

  1. Completed STEM Optional Practical Training I-20 Recommendation Application
  2. Completed and signed latest version of  Form I-765 (latest version 08/25/2020 on bottom left side). If you use our version some fields have been pre-filled for your ease.
  3. Completed Form G-1145: E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
  4. Your I-94
  5. Your current EAD card, front and back sides
  6. Passport page that has your photo and passport expiration date
  7. F-1 visa page in your passport
  8. Your transcripts; you may obtain unofficial transcripts from your Gibson account or consult with the Registrar's Office.
  9. Your diploma
  10. Form I-983 completed by you and your employer
  11. A personal check, cashier’s check or money order for $410.00, made payable to Department of Homeland Security.  If you would like to use a U.S. credit card (not debit) to pay this fee you must fill out G-1450.
  12. Credit/debit card payment of $280.00 to Tulane University. In an effort to ease the process and avoid additional mailing at this time we are only accepting card payments for this fee. You can do so here. This is an administrative fee to off-set resources needed to process compliance for this benefit.
  13. Two U.S. passport size photographs with a white background, taken in the last 30 days, with your name and SEVIS # written in pencil on the back of the pictures. Refer to the image below for the correct dimensions. No Glasses are allowed and pictures must not have been used for a previous passport or visa application. For more information about acceptable photos, visit Department of State's Travel Website.

 

If you are applying for STEM based on a previous degree, you must also provide OISS the following additional documents:

  • 1 copy of your diploma for the previous degree
  • 1 copy of the most recent I-20 from the previous degree program
  • 1 copy of your transcripts from the previous degree

*Please note: If you would like to opt out from sending a scan of a check or Form G-1145 due to security concerns you may do so. It would be your responsibility to make sure that you have followed the payment instructions correctly.

STEP 2

After the OISS receives your complete application, we will:

  1. Verify your eligibility to apply for STEM OPT;
  2. If eligible, enter a recommendation for STEM OPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS);
  3. We will mail you a new Form I-20 (and e-mail you a scanned copy so that you can assemble your packet) showing the recommendation for STEM OPT. We will also provide you with this insert which includes detailed instructions on the next steps.

STEP 3

After you receive you receive the I-20 and the copy of it from OISS, please make sure that you sign both. Only include the signed copy of your I-20 and not the original I-20 in the packet that you mail to USCIS. After that you will be responsible for assembling your packet. Make sure you staple the packet in the following order from top to bottom:

  1. Payment Method (If you are paying with a check/money order, staple this to the first page of the I-765; if you are paying with a credit card using form G-1450 that needs to be the first page on the packet.)
  2. Original Form I-765
  3. Original Form G-1145
  4. I-94
  5. Copy of EAD Card
  6. Copy of Passport ID Page
  7. Copy of Visa
  8. Transcripts
  9. Diploma
  10. Copy of New “STEM OPT Requested” I-20 provided in this envelope.
  11. Photos (Make sure this is in a secure envelope so that they do not fall out.)

Do not attach your form I-983 to the packet. This form does not go to USCIS. We would have already received a copy and you can keep the original for your records.

STEP 4

Follow the final instructions and mail out your packet:

  • USCIS must receive the packet within 30 days of the issue date on your new STEM OPT I‐20 and before the end of your Post-Completion OPT
  • You may send the application through the USPS or through private delivery companies like FedEx or UPS. No matter what mailing service you choose, make sure to use a tracking option so that you can confirm the delivery of your application.
  • Send the complete original application packet to the appropriate address below for the delivery service that you choose:

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

USCIS
P.O. Box 805373
Chicago, IL 60680

For Express Mail or Courier (ex. FedEx, UPS, etc)

USCIS
Attn: I-765 C03
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

Complete next steps instructions can be found here. A copy of it will be provided to you when you receive your new I-20.

Linking a Paper Application to a USCIS Account

If you filed a paper application with USCIS, it is possible to link it to a myUSCIS account. This will enable you to view your case status and history, and have the options to send secure messages, view notices, upload additional evidence, and respond to Requests for Evidence.  

After mailing in your application to USCIS, you will receive an I-797 Notice of Action. This is your receipt notice which will contain the receipt number of your case.  After receiving this notice and creating a USCIS account, click on “My account,” then “Add a paper filed case,” and then enter your receipt number.   

Alternatively, if you did not file your case online but received a “USCIS Account Access Notice,” you will be able to use the Online Access Code indicated on the notice to add the case to your account.