OPT STEM Extension

For work in a qualified STEM field immediately after post-completion OPT

Summary

• Work must be directly related to field of study (major)
• Prior STEM degrees may be used, if qualified
• For each employer, must complete and submit form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students
• Employers must be participating in E-Verify (see Understanding E-Verify)
• Must report changes in name, address, email/phone, and employment
• Additional 60 days of unemployment combined with remainder of 90 days from regular post-completion OPT
• Must confirm continued participation every 6 months
• Must submit an annual evaluation for each employer or final evaluation if employment ends before the reporting deadline
• If the application is timely filed with USCIS (i.e., receipted), employment authorization is automatically extended up to 180 days from the end of post-completion OPT
• May apply up to 90 days before the end date of your post-completion OPT authorization
• ISS must issue an I-20 with OPT recommendation
• Must file application within 60 days of issuance date of I-20 with OPT recommendation

Total Time Allowed

• 24 months at full-time
• Full-time authorization only

General Eligibility

• Must be in a period of post-completion OPT at the time of application
• Extension may only be used twice for separate degrees in qualifying STEM fields
• Must not have exhausted STEM Extension at the same level
• Must have been awarded a degree in a field that currently has an eligible CIP Code for STEM Extension
• If using a prior STEM degree, it must have been awarded at a currently accredited, SEVP-approved school at the bachelor's degree or higher within 10 years of the STEM OPT application.
• Must be employed or have offer of employment at time of application
• Employment must be full-time (over 20 hours/week)
• Any employer during STEM Extension must be participating in E-Verify (see Understanding E-Verify)

When to Apply

The earliest that a student may apply is 90 days before the end date of their current Post-Completion OPT, or any time within that 90-day window. Applying after the end date of Post-Completion OPT is too late.

Step 1: Gather Evidence

Gather all required evidence.

• 2 x 2" photo of you - If using a printed photo, it will need to be scanned for upload.
  • Visit U.S. Passport page to view photo standards.
  • The photo must have been taken within 6 months of your application.
• Form I-94 - Visit the Customs and Border Protection I-94 page to download your most recent I-94.
  • Students who are F-1 through a change of status application should have a copy of the I-94 issued by USCIS with their approval notice.
  • DO NOT submit I-94 History.
• Passport - This should be a copy of the identification page from your most current, unexpired passport.
• Form I-20 - You will receive this later in Step 5.
• College Degree - This should be a copy of your diploma or official transcript showing your awarded degree.
• Institutional Accreditation - You only need this if you are basing your STEM Extension on a degree that you received within the past 10 years from another school. Check with the officials from that school to get the appropriate document. The school must confirm that it is currently accredited and SEVP-approved. If it is not clear how your degree is currently STEM-eligible, this should also be clarified.

Step 2: Confirm Employer Participates in E-Verify

This information is required on the online form I-765. From your employer, you will need to get:

• E-Verify account number and
• The business name that is listed on the E-Verify account

Step 3: Complete ICE Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students

A copy of the completed and signed Form I-983 must be submitted with your ISS request.

• Download Form I-983 from Study in the States website. Page 1 is for you to complete. Page 2-4 so for your employer to complete. Page 5 should be left empty, as they are the evaluations you will need to submit later after your STEM Extension has started.
• Download Form I-983 Instructions - Please READ the instructions. They will tell you exactly what you and your employer need to enter on each field of the form.
• You will submit a copy of the completed I-983 when you submit an ISS Request in Step 5.

Step 4: Login to USCIS Account and Start Online Form I-765 Application

Go to the USCIS website and click "sign in" at the top right-corner to sign in.

• After login, find the option to "File a form online." From the list of forms, select "I-765, Application for Employment Authorization."
• Although only a few questions are marked required (*), try to answer all the questions.
• For help, open and view the Application Guide on this page.
• Do not submit and pay the fee until you receive the I-20 in Step 5.

When you get to the "Review and Submit section," you will see the screenshot below. Click on "view draft snapshot" to see what your answers look like on the actual form I-765. Download this form to submit with your ISS Request, if you want a review of your application.

Step 5:  Get I-20 with STEM recommendation and (optional) Review of Form I-765

Submit an ISS Request for "F-1 OPT STEM Extension."

• In the request, you have the option to request the I-20 only, or the I-20 plus an application review.
• The review will require that you submit a draft form I-765 and all required evidence.

Step 6:  Upload I-20, Complete and Submit Online Form I-765

Review and submit application, and pay the fee.

Cancelling STEM Extension

1. Before filing with USCIS, before current OPT ends
   1. CANCEL - You must submit an ISS Request to "Cancel/End Approved Request," which will remove the STEM Extension recommendation. Provide your original request ID number and note that you have not submitted an application to USCIS yet.
   2. You may request again at a later date if you are still within your regular period of Post-Completion OPT, or you may continue on OPT until it ends. Then, you will have 60-day grace period by the end of which you must depart the U.S. or do something to extend or change status.
2. Before filing with USCIS, after current OPT ends
   1. If you have not filed with USCIS before your current OPT ends, then you are outside the filing window and no longer eligible. You should submit an ISS Request to "Cancel/End Approved Request," which will remove the STEM Extension recommendation. After this, you will only have your 60-day grace period by the end of which you must depart the U.S. or do something to extend or change status.
3. After filing with USCIS, before current OPT ends
   1. WITHDRAW - You can no longer cancel your STEM Extension request through ISS. You must contact USCIS through your USCIS account and withdraw your application. You will lose your fee payment.
   2. You may request again at a later date if you are still within your regular period of Post-Completion OPT, or you may continue on OPT until it ends. Then, you will have 60-day grace period by the end of which you must depart the U.S. or do something to extend or change status.
4. After filing with USCIS, after current OPT ends
   1. WITHDRAW - You can no longer cancel your STEM Extension request through ISS. You must contact USCIS through your USCIS account and withdraw your application. You will lose your fee payment.
   2. By withdrawing your application, you are no longer eligible for the 180-day automatic extension, and should stop any employment immediately. If you are outside of the 60-day grace period normally allowed after OPT ends, you may not be able to get another 60-day grace. You should prepare to depart the U.S. immediately as your status has ended.
5. After USCIS approval
   1. Once approved, you cannot withdraw or cancel your STEM Extension. The approved time will be counted whether you use it or not.

Below are all the sections and questions on the online form I-765. Explanation notes highlighted in red are provided for questions that may be difficult to understand.

GETTING STARTED

Basis of eligibility

• What is your eligibility category? SELECT: (c)(3)(C) STEM Extension
• Would you like to request Premium Processing Service?

Reason for applying

• What is your reason for applying? SELECT: Initial permission to accept employment
• Have you previously filed Form I-765?

Preparer and interpreter information

• Is someone assisting you with completing this application? SELECT: No

ABOUT YOU

Your name

• What is your current legal name?
• Have you used any other names since birth?

Your contact information

• How may we contact you?
• What is your current U.S. mailing address? NOTE: This is where your EAD (“OPT card”) will be mailed. Make sure your address is formatted correctly so that it can be delivered properly.
• Is your current mailing address the same as your physical address?

Describe yourself

• What is your sex?
• What is your marital status?

When and where you were born

• What is your city, town, or village of birth?
• What is your state or province of birth?
• What is your country of birth?
• What is your date of birth?

Your immigration information

• What is your country of citizenship or nationality?
• What is your Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number (if any)? NOTE: Use most recent I-94. If you changed status within the U.S., use the I-94 provided to you on the approval notice.
• When did you last arrive in the United States?
• What is the passport number of your most recently issued passport?
• What is your travel document number (if any)? NOTE: Leave blank
• What is the expiration date of your passport or travel document? NOTE: Provide information from most current passport
• What country issued your passport or travel document?
• What is your current immigration status or category? SELECT: F1 – Student Academic Or Language Program
• What is your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Number (if any)? NOTE: This is the number the top of your I-20.

Other information

• What is your A-Number? NOTE: Leave blank if not pre-populated.
• What is your USCIS Online Account Number? NOTE: This may be pre-filled. If not, you may leave blank or enter current USCIS account number.
• What is your U.S. Social Security number (SSN)? NOTE: Since you are on OPT, you should have an SSN, so enter it.

EVIDENCE

2" x 2" photo of you

• 2" x 2" photo of you

Form I-94 or passport

• Form I-94, Arrival and Departure Record or passport. NOTE: Upload most recent I-94

Employment Authorization Document

• Employment Authorization Document or Government ID. NOTE: Upload most recent passport

Form I-20

• I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. NOTE: This is the I-20 with OPT recommendation that you will receive from the ISS Office. Do not upload any other I-20. Do not submit your application without this I-20.

College degree

• College Degree. NOTE: Upload copy of diploma or official transcript showing awarded degree.

Institution accreditation

• Institution Accreditation. NOTE: Not needed if you are basing your STEM Extension on degree that you used for your current OPT. If you are basing you STEM Extension on a degree you received within the past 10 years before most current degree, then the school that awarded the degree must provide you a document that confirms it is currently accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and approved by SEVP.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Additional Information. NOTE: Ignore if you have nothing to add that is important to your application.

Step 1: Automatic Extension

For STEM Extension, if you apply before your Post-Completion OPT ends and are receipted, then you are given an automatic 180-day extension of your work authorization and status. For employment verification or re-verification, you may show your application receipt (with your expired EAD). This 180-day extension ends when your application has been adjudicated earlier, or when the 180 days ends if your application still pending.

Step 2: Approval

To get an estimate of how long it will take for your OPT application to be processed, visit the USICS Processing Times webpage: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/. Sometimes it can be shorter or longer. An application to USCIS may get (1) approved, (2) rejected, (3) denied, or (4) a request for evidence (RFE).

1. Approved - USCIS will send a message and approval notice. The message will also tell you that Employment Authorization Document (EAD, or "OPT card") is being produced. USCIS will send another message when your EAD is mailed to you, and may or may not provide you with mail tracking information.
   1. When you receive your EAD, check the card for errors. Your original requested start date and end dates may differ from the dates you requested, usually because they could not approve it in time for that start date. If you think there is an error, contact ISS.
   2. You may not start working until you receive your EAD and you have reached the start date of your authorization.
2. Rejected - This usually happens if you application is filed incorrectly, like if you file before the application window is open, or you are missing your I-20 with OPT recommendation. It does not mean that you are denied, only that you should refile correctly.
3. Denied - This happens when you are ruled ineligible, perhaps because of a violation found on your immigration record. You cannot re-apply and are usually told that you must depart the U.S. It is rare that a student receives a denial.
4. Request for Evidence (RFE) - USCIS may send you a message requesting additional evidence or information that is needed before they can rule on your application.

Step 3: Report Approval to ISS

• For the 180-day automatic extension while your application is pending, you do not have report to ISS.
• Only when your STEM Extension is officially approved, submit an ISS Request for "update record/status" to report your OPT approval. You will need to upload a copy of your EAD.

Step 4: Report/Update Employment

Reporting is still requierd even during the 180-day automatic extension period when your application is still pending.

• Any updates or changes to employment must be reported to ISS via ISS Request for "F-1 OPT STEM Report."
• You may only update your contact information in your SEVP Portal account.
• For any new employer, you must report/submit to ISS: (1) that the employer has an E-Verify account, (2) the business name of the employer as listed in E-Verify, and (3) a completed and signed form I-983.
• Required periodic reports from the date that the STEM Extension started:
  • 6 month - You must report to ISS that all your information in the SEVP Portal is updated.
  • 12 month
    • Report to ISS that all your information in the SEVP Portal is updated; and
    • For employment that you started during this first 12 months and will be continuing in the next 12 months, submit the initial self-evaluation on page 5 of the form I-983; and
    • For employment that you started and ended during this first 12 months, submit only the final self-evaluation on page of the form I-983.
  • 18 month - You must report to ISS that all your information in the SEVP Portal is updated.
  • 24 month
    • Report to ISS that all your information in the SEVP Portal is updated; and
    • For employment that you started during the first 12 months that has continued in the second 12 months, submit the final self-evaluation on page 5 of the form I-983; and
    • For employment that you started and ended during this second 12 months, submit only the final self-evaluation on page of the form I-983.
• End of employment - If employment ends before the 12- and 24-month reporting deadlines, you still need to report the end of employment and submit a final evaluation to ISS.