You must have maintained valid F-1 status throughout your initial OPT period, with any necessary Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) remaining unexpired or renewed promptly. Navigating the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) bureaucracy requires precision, especially when your legal status depends on timely filings.
Graduate Students OPT Extension STEM Timeline: Key Steps and Validity Requirements
You will need to submit your most recent I-94 arrival/departure record, a copy of your current EAD, and crucially, a new Form I-20 issued by your Designated School Official (DSO) that recommends the extension. While this does not expedite the DSO's issuance of the new I-20, it significantly reduces the waiting period for the EAD card itself.
Document Purpose Typical Processing Time Form I-765 Official Application for EAD Varies by Service Center I-20 with Recommendation Proof of continued enrollment and eligibility Current EAD & I-94 Verification of current status and identity Premium Processing: A Strategic Investment USCIS offers a premium processing service for the I-765 form, which is highly recommended for individuals facing imminent deadlines. The extension is granted in increments, typically adding 24 months to the original post-completion OPT period.
Graduate Students OPT Extension STEM Timeline: Maintaining Status and Filing Steps
Furthermore, the extension must be in the same field of study as your original degree. For an additional fee, this service guarantees an adjudication decision within 15 calendar days.
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