As of July 25, 2025, reports indicate that fees for Pre/Post-OPT and STEM OPT now match the fees as outlined by USCIS on their Fee Schedule.

 

We have been notified by several of our international students who are filing I-765s to apply for Pre-Completion OPT (C(3)a), Post-Completion OPT (C(3)b) and the STEM OPT Extension (C(3)c) through their online USCIS accounts have been charged increased fees of $1,020 (for Pre/Post-OPT) or $745 (for STEM OPT). OGS is seeking clarification about this funding increase.

There are 3 potential options international students need to consider and decide what is right for their own unique situation: 

  1. You may decide to wait and file your OPT/STEM OPT application until things are clearer. However, you would need to make certain that you are staying within the regulatory guidelines.  
    • Post-OPT applications must be filed no more than 30-days after the DSO recommends Post-OPT in SEVIS and no more than 60-days after your program end date in SEVIS.
    • STEM OPT applications must be filed before the expiration date of your Post-OPT EAD and no more than 60-days after the DSO recommends STEM OPT in SEVIS. 
  2. You may decide to file now, but OGS cannot guarantee that the fee is correct or incorrect, or that you will be refunded, or that there won't be an impact to the application if you request a refund. Clarification will need to come from USCIS. 
  3. You may decide to file a paper application with the correct fee published on the USCIS website. Please see the links below to our website on how to file either Post-OPT or the STEM OPT Extension through a paper application:

Once we have clear guidance, we will share updates on this page of our website.