The 24-month OPT extension is available only to F-1 students currently authorized for and actively participating in an initial period of 12-month OPT who meet the following specific criteria:
- Students must be participating in post-completion OPT and have a STEM-eligible degree from an accredited, SEVIS-certified U.S. educational institution.
- Prior STEM Eligible degrees may be considered if earned within the last 10 years at a SEVIS-certified U.S. institution and if employment while on STEM OPT will be related to this prior degree.
- To check your STEM eligibility, find the CIP code listed on your I-20 and check the STEM-Designated Degree Program List to see if your CIP code is listed there. If your CIP Code does not exactly match a code on this list, you are not eligible for an OPT extension. This STEM-Designated Degree Program List is issued by the Department of Homeland Security; there is no flexibility to grant an OPT extension for a major that does not meet the CIP Code guidelines: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/eligible-cip-codes-for-the-stem-opt-extension
- For graduate students: If you have not yet earned your degree, you must be done with coursework and in the phase of completing your thesis or dissertation to be eligible. Your degree must be earned before the end of your STEM OPT authorization.
- Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and have an IRS Employer Identification Number(EIN).
- Students cannot be self-employed, and volunteer work also does not qualify (job must be paid). Students must be employed for at least 20 hours per week in a job directly related to a STEM-eligible degree.
- Students are individually responsible for meeting and maintaining the requirements of STEM OPT. This application serves as a guide, but students are additionally responsible for knowing requirements as listed in official USCIS and DHS sources: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub
Validation Reports to Global Learning/International Community Every 6 Months
Every six months you are required by federal law to “check in” with Global Learning/International Community while on the STEM extension. To complete these check-ins, you will complete and submit the OPT reporting form found on the International Community website (linked to above). You will need to provide contact and employment information, even if there have been no changes. The six-month check-ins are in addition to reporting within 10 days any changes that occur, as detailed in the previous section. FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE SIX-MONTH CHECK-IN WILL RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC TERMINATION OF YOUR OPT BY SEVIS.
Updating the I-983
Within 10 days of new employment, and at any time there is a material change in the terms and conditions of the I-983, a new Form I-983 Training Plan must be completed and submitted to GLOBAL LEARNING/INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. Upon ending any employment, the “Final Evaluation on Student Progress” section of the I-983 must be completed and submitted to GLOBAL LEARNING/INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY within 10 days of ending employment. Failure to comply is considered a status violation and may jeopardize the current and future immigration status of the student.
Student Evaluations Included with the I-983
Current instructions for the I-983 state that the “student submits the first self-assessment within twelve months and a final self-evaluation that recaps all the training and knowledge acquired during the complete training period.” The 12-month evaluation form is the “Evaluation on Student Progress” section of the I-983 and it must be submitted to GLOBAL LEARNING/INTERNATIONAL Community within the first 12 months of the STEM OPT start date. The 24-month evaluation is the “Final Evaluation on Student Progress” and it must be submitted to GLOBAL LEARNING/INTERNATIONAL Community within 10 days of the end of the 24-month STEM OPT period. Additionally, the final evaluation form must be submitted to GLOBAL LEARNING/INTERNATIONAL Community whenever leaving an employer while on STEM OPT.
This is the full responsibility of the student and employer to complete, sign, and submit these to GLOBAL LEARNING/INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY on time. Failure to comply is considered a status violation and may jeopardize the current and future immigration status of the student. https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/employers-and-the-form-i-983
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO READ:
What if I need to travel outside the U.S. while my STEM OPT extension is pending, and my post-completion OPT is expired?
We do not recommend travel until after your STEM OPT EAD Card has been approved. If you must travel and your original EAD has expired or will expire while you are outside the United States, you must wait to re-enter the U.S. until you have received the approval notice and EAD card.
How Can My Employer Sign Up for E-Verify?
To find out more about E-Verify, your employer should visit the following website: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify. An employer's participation in E-Verify is voluntary and is currently free to employers. To participate, an employer must register online and accept the electronic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that details the responsibilities of SSA, DHS, and the employer.
Can I Still Get an Extension if My Employer Does Not Sign Up for E-Verify?
No. USCIS will not approve any extension applications where the employer is not participating in E-Verify.
Can I Change Employers Once I Apply for an Extension?
Once the extension is approved, you may change to work for a different employer who is also enrolled in E-Verify. You must notify the Global Learning/International Community office when this occurs. However, Global Learning/International Community does not recommend you change employers while the extension is pending. You may not work for any employer during the extension period who is not enrolled in E-Verify. Please note: STEM OPT employment must be related to the STEM-eligible degree on which you are basing your request for STEM OPT work authorization.
Can I work after my OPT expires while I’m waiting for my card to arrive?
Yes, if you have filed your STEM OPT Extension in a timely manner and you have received the receipt notice, you may continue to work for up to 180 days after your OPT expires while you are waiting for your card. However, if you choose to travel outside of the U.S., and plan to enter after your OPT expires, you must have your new OPT card (showing the extended dates) before re-entering. It should take approximately 3-5 months for your EAD card to arrive at the address you indicated on the I-765, although it could take longer, depending on which USCIS Service Center has been assigned to your case.
Am I eligible for STEM OPT Extension a second time?
Students who had already obtained one STEM OPT extension may possibly be eligible for a second STEM OPT extension (i.e., a total of two lifetime STEM OPT extensions) only after earning another qualifying STEM degree at a higher degree level and after obtaining a new initial grant of standard 12-month post-completion practical training based on that higher degree.
The second period of STEM OPT cannot be added on to the first period of STEM OPT and cannot be based on the same degree that was used for STEM OPT previously.