USCIS Update Regarding Applicants Filing Form I-765 for F-1 OPT/STEM OPT
On February 18, 2021, USCIS issued an update regarding applicants who have long-pending Form I-765 applications for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) or F-1 STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT).
Some of the clarifications provided include:
* Delays will not affect the official received date. Once receipted, the applications will reflect the received date when USCIS actually received your application by mail delivery to the USCIS lockbox.
* Applications will not be rejected only if your application was filed to the previous lockbox address after USCIS changed the mailing address to a USCIS filing location on January 8, 2021.
* Applications for STEM OPT Extension that were timely filed (received at USCIS before the expiration date on the OPT EAD card) will automatically extend the employment authorization for 180 days.
* USCIS has added staff and redistributed workload to other USCIS offices to work on the backlog and to minimize future delays.
Additional guidance on how to contact USCIS on pending I-765 applications is outlined in the ISO Knowledge Base.
To read the full USCIS Update issued on February 18, 2021, please click here.
