17-month STEM OPT Extension

IMPORTANT:
Effective August 29, 2011, a one-time administrative fee of $200 will be charged to students who apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Please make the check out to “University of Bridgeport”.
This must be paid at the time of OPT processing.
*This DOES NOT apply to those who have already paid this fee*

 

PLEASE NOTE: For STEM 17-Month OPT Extension Applicants, you MUST have your employment verification letter reviewed by ISS before your OPT Extension appointment.

For students looking to apply for OPT Extension, please scan and email your
employment verification letter to opt@bridgeport.edu.

For details on what the letter should include, please review the sample template online.
Please allow adequate time for the letters to be reviewed.
 

Eligibility

  • At the time of filing, you are in a valid period of OPT
  • You must submit your application in a timely fashion (see next section)
  • You have not previously received a 17-month OPT extension after earning a STEM degree
  • Your major is on the current STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) list http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm and your current OPT is based on a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree
  • Your employer is registered in the E-Verify program and in good standing with USCIS
  • Your employer agrees to report your termination or departure to the DSO at UB within 48 hours of the event

Application Deadline

  • You can apply 120 days prior to the end of your post-completion OPT 
  • USCIS must receive your OPT extension application NO LATER THAN the expiration date of your current post-completion OPT

Passport Validity

  • Passport must be valid and has a validity period of at least 6 months prior to filing for OPT extension
  • If your passport is valid for less than 6 months, please apply for renewal at your consulate before filing for OPT

Application Checklist

  • I-765 Form complete fully and sign in BLUE ink (original + copy) |  Sample I-765 Form (PDF)
  • Copy all previous EADs
  • Two passport style color photos with name, date of birth and SEVIS ID printed in pencil on the back. See example:
  • $200 administrative fee, make a check or money order payable to “University of Bridgeport” (Does not apply if you have paid this already)
  • $380 filing fee, make a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”. Date on check must be current (check + copy) Sample Check (PDF)
  • Employment verification letter (original + copy)/ Sample Employment Verification Letter (PDF) must contain the following information:
      • Job title
      • Detailed job description
      • Start date of employment (the actual start date of your employment with the company, not the OPT extension start date. If the start date on your employment letter is different from what you previously reported to us, your OPT extension will not be processed until the discrepancy is clarified in writing by your employer. If so, you may have to reschedule your OPT extension appointment)
      • Confirm: this job is DIRECTLY related to student’s degree (specify their major) obtained from University of Bridgeport
      • Salary
      • Confirm the employer is an E-verify employer
      • A statement: This is to confirm that we agree to report the termination or departure of the above-mentioned OPT employee to the DSO at the University of Bridgeport through email/letter if the termination or departure is prior to the end of the authorized period of OPT. Such reporting must be made within 48 hours of the event. We shall consider the above-mentioned worker to have departed when we know he/she has left the employment or if he/she has not reported for work for a period of 5 consecutive business days without our consent, whichever occurs earlier

This letter must be dated and signed by the employer, and printed on a company letterhead!

  • Copy of U.B. diploma
  • Copy of U.B. transcript (optional)
  • Copy of ALL I-20 forms (pages 1 and 3; all I-20s must be signed);
  • Copy of I-94 card (front and back). Stamp must be clearly legible.
  • Copy of passport: information page with expiration date and stamp of first entry into the U.S. in F1 status
  • Copy of F-1 visa
  • Signed Student Statement (original + copy)

PLEASE NOTE:

  • EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION LETTER MUST MATCH TEMPLATE ABOVE TO AVOID DELAY OF OPT EXTENSION PROCESSING
  • Zero balance with the University Bursar
  • No holds on your student account
  • OPT employment and address must be updated via portal before you apply for OPT extension
  • Must apply in person