F-1 STEM OPT Extension

The following information will be helpful when completing the I-983 (NOTE: This information is specific to Northwestern University only)

• NU FEIN: 362167817
• Full Time Employees: 10,839
• NAICS Code: 611310
• E-Verify Number: 297964

Submit your STEM OPT Extension request on the OISS Portal.

PLEASE NOTE:
The STEM OPT Extension Request will appear as an option in the OISS Portal ONLY if both of the following eligibility conditions are met:

1. You have completed a degree listed in the STEM Designated Degree Program List
2. It is 100 days or less from the end date of your Post-Completion OPT

You must submit your request at least 2 weeks before your post-completion OPT end date and you can submit this request as early as 100 days before your post-completion OPT end date. Remember, the request will appear 100 days prior to the end date of Post-Completion OPT as an option in the OISS portal to STEM majors only.

Your STEM OPT Extension request will be processed and your new I-20 with the STEM OPT Extension recommendation will be ready in 10 business days. 

You will receive an email notifying you when your new I-20 with the STEM OPT Extension recommendation is ready for you to access via the OISS Portal. 

You will then be able to print your updated I-20 with STEM OPT Extension recommendation from your “Documents” section of the OISS Portal. This is the easiest and fastest way to receive your I-20.

Please be sure to:

1. Review the top of page 2 of your I-20 to verify your STEM OPT recommendation information is correct.
2. Sign both I-20s on the bottom of the first page in the “Student Attestation” section. One I-20 is for you to send to USCIS with your OPT application and the 2^nd is for you to keep as your current I-20.

Below are detailed instructions. Use the one page STEM Extension OPT Application Checklist as you collect your application materials,

1. Copy of new I-20 with STEM OPT Recommendation
   Submit the STEM OPT Extension request on the OISS Portal to receive your new STEM OPT recommendation I-20.
   • You must submit your completed Training Plan Form I-983 in the STEM OPT request on the OISS Portal and fill out every part of the request including the relevance of employment to coursework statement.
   • The I-983 training plan needs to be completed and signed by both you and your employer. Your OISS advisor must verify the information on your I-983 before recommending your STEM OPT Extension in SEVIS and issuing you a new I-20. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you change employers at any time during your OPT STEM Extension, you MUST complete and submit a new Form I-983 to your OISS Advisor and request a new I-20 within 10 days of starting any new employment.
   • The I-983 is submitted only with your STEM OPT Extension request at the OISS Portal to your OISS Advisor and does not need to be submitted to USCIS with your application materials.
2. Completed Form I-765  (download from uscis.gov and print single sided). Type or print legibly in black ink to complete this form. See Sample STEM OPT I-765 for instructions on completion of this form.
3. Completed Form G--1145 to receive e-mail or text message alerts about your application (optional)
4. Copy of your Northwestern transcript (order yours here) 
5. Copy of Northwestern Diploma
6. Copy of I-94 Record 
7. Copy of Passport biographical page
8. Copy of F-1 visa stamp (Canadians do not have an F-1 visa stamp)
9. Copy of current EAD card (front and back)
10. Two identical passport style (2" x 2") color photographs taken within the last 30 days. Your photos should be taken by a professional photographer and must meet Department of State requirements. Write your name and I-94 number on the back of your photos.
11. Personal Check, Money Order, or Cashier's Check made payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (check USCIS for current filing fee)  View a Sample check.

Once you have all your application materials you should then file to the appropriate USCIS Lockbox. Please check The USCIS Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765 page for the most up-to-date filing address. The Last Reviewed/Updated date of 09/03/2021, instructs filers to submit these applications to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox, at:

Chicago Lockbox

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: 1-765 C03
P.O. Box 805373
Chicago, IL 60680-5374

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: I-765 C03 (Box 805373)
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

As long as your application is received by USCIS before your current EAD expiration date, you will be allowed to remain in the US and continue employment for 180 days or until a decision is made on your application (whichever is sooner). Your employer may require that provide them with your STEM OPT receipt notice from USCIS to continue working.

Students have the option of receiving text message/e-mail notification from USCIS if they include the optional form G-1145: https://www.uscis.gov/g-1145.

Note:  Send your OPT application by a mail service with a tracking number, delivery confirmation, or return receipt. It is recommended that you make photocopies or scan your entire application for your records.

Before sending your application, please be sure to confirm the Lockbox mailing information for your application on The USCIS Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765 page.

In addition to the paper version of Form I-765, USCIS is now accepting online Form I-765 applications for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the 24-month OPT STEM Extension. The online I-765 application is available ONLY for F-1 students applying for Post Completion OPT or the STEM Extension of OPT. The online I-765 cannot be used for any other type of employment authorization application.

See the following links for detailed information on the online application:

• Online I-765 Application for STEM OPT Extension for detailed instructions and important tips regarding the online application process
• STEM OPT Extension Application Checklist (PDF)

OISS strongly recommends students applying for STEM OPT use a professional visa/passport photo service (such as the photo department at Walgreens or CVS) to ensure the photo meets all requirements for the STEM OPT application. We are aware of numerous circumstances in which students initially received approval utilizing the online photo tool, and later had their OPT application rejected due to issues with the photo. The acceptance of your digital image or photo is at the discretion of USCIS.

The digital photo requirements for filing online are different from the paper photo requirements for filing a paper application by mail. See requirements below.

Classification of Instructions Programs (CIP) codes are published by the National Center for Education Statistics (NES).   Your CIP code determines whether your major has been designated as a STEM major eligible for the STEM OPT Extension. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM Designated Degree Program List is a complete list of fields of study that DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields of study for purposes of the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension.

There is an administrative process that NU departments must go through to change the CIP code. Once the CIP code change has been approved, the NU registrar updates the CIP code based on the parameters of the approval. After the registrar updates the CIP code, the OISS will update the CIP codes in SEVIS. You may request a new I-20 with the updated CIP code. Please request a reprint for your I-20 via the OISS Portal. In the request, please choose Other from the drop down and explain that your CIP code changed in the area provided.

Once the CIP code has been updated, you may meet the CIP code requirements for STEM OPT Extension eligibility.

If you otherwise qualify for the STEM OPT Extension and can fill-out the I-983 training plan with your current employer outlining how you are using your STEM coursework in your job, you can apply for the STEM OPT extension based on a previously earned degree as long as both degrees were received from currently accredited educational institutions.

You will need to contact your OISS Advisor to initiate a STEM OPT Extension request based on a prior degree. 

If you complete another STEM-eligible degree at a higher academic level, you may apply for a second 24 month period of STEM OPT if you otherwise meet the STEM OPT Extension qualifications.

A cap-gap extension is a regulatory provision which extends an eligible F-1 student's status to bridge the gap between the end of F-1 status and start of H-1B status, thereby allowing the student to remain in the U.S. during the "gap”. The cap-gap extension is available to students who, as of April 1st, were either on approved OPT or in their 60-day grace period and have a pending or approved change-of-status H-1B petition with USCIS that was filed in a timely manner.

To qualify for the "H-1B cap-gap extension" you must be in valid F-1 status, and you must be the beneficiary of an H-1B petition that meets all of the following:

• Has been timely filed.
• Requests an employment start date of October 1 of the following fiscal year
• Requests a change of status

Cap-Gap extensions cannot be used if you will be in H-1B status in a non-profit or research educational institution.

For more information, please contact your OISS advisor.

Compared to the 12-month OPT period, there are several additional requirements while on STEM OPT.  Details and instructions related to  these requirements are outlined on the While on STEM OPT section including:

• Reporting requirements while on STEM OPT
• International Travel while on STEM OPT
• Practical matters while on STEM OPT (health insurance, taxes, etc.)
• Ending STEM OPT and departing the U.S. or changing status