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STEM OPT

Recipients of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields may be eligible for a one-time 24-month extension of post-completion OPT for a total eligibility of up to 29 months. The 24-month Stem Extension OPT is adjudicated (approved) by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The end result of filing for the OPT 24-month STEM extension is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) which shows dates students are able to work legally in the United States.

Overview

  • Only one 24-month STEM extension is granted PER DEGREE regardless of additional degrees awarded or level of degrees.
  • New STEM extension EAD card begins the day after the expiration of the 12 month EAD card and ends 24-months later, no matter the date of adjudication.
  • 24-month extension will be granted in one EAD card period and cannot be split into smaller periods.
  • It is possible to change employers during the 24-months or while your application is pending. The new employment must meet the STEM extension requirements and a new I-983 form must be submitted.
  • Students whose applications are received before the EAD card expires will be able to continue employment while the extension application is pending.
  • If extension application is denied, the student will still have the 60-day grace period after the expiration of the 12-month EAD card to depart the country, pursue a new program of study or transfer to another institution.

Requirements

  • Must currently be on post-completion 12-month OPT
  • Verified completion of a degree on the STEM Designated Degree Programs List. The CIP code is found on page 1 of your I-20.
  • Employment Requirements:
    1. Paid
    2. At least 20 hours per week
    3. Directly related to field of study and appropriate to degree level obtained
  • Employer Requirements:
    1. Registered with the U.S. Government E-Verify employment verification system
    2. Agrees to report any termination of employment within 10 days to International Engagement

*Sole self-employment is not allowed during STEM Extension OPT. For more information, visit Study in the States.

When to Apply

Apply before your current EAD expires. USCIS recommends you apply up to 90 days before your EAD expiration date.

How to Apply

  • Complete the I-983 Form
  • Complete the TAMIU STEM OPT Request Form
  • Complete Form I-765 -(Paper Base) or File Form- I-765 Online.
    • Item 16: Use the applicable code (c) (3) (C)
    • Item 17: Please ask for an E-Verify code from your employer. An E-Verify ID number has 6 digits
    • Application fee in the form of check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" if you applied by paper based. If you apply online, you can pay your application fee through pay.gov.
    • Copy of STEM degree (official transcript, unofficial transcript, or copy of diploma showing level and program of study)
    • Photocopy of your I-94 card (front and back) (electronic I-94) or if you do not have an I-94 card, a copy of your F-1 admission stamp in your passport
    • Photocopy of your last EAD (front and back)
    • Photocopy of passport identification page
    • Photocopy of F-1 visa
    • Two recent (within the last 30 days) passport size photos
    • Completed G-1145 Form (optional; it signs you up for email/text message notification of your application’s arrival at USCIS)
    • Send all documents to International Engagement so we may recommend you for an extension on your OPT
    • Photocopy of new I-20
  • International Engagement strongly suggest not to submit an online application if you have already filed by mail.

Where to send your Application

As a courtesy, International Engagement can mail the application on your behalf or you can send your application to the appropriate lockbox depending where you reside. To determine which lockbox you should mail your application, visit Study in the States Lockbox Finder.

Types of Eligible Employment

  1. Multiple employers – Students may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to the student’s degree program.
  2. Work for hire– This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship.
  3. Self-employed business owner– Students on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. In this situation, the student must work full-time. The student must be able to prove to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to the student’s degree program. Sole self-employment is not allowed during STEM Extension OPT.
  4. Employment through an employment agency consulting firm - A student on a 24-month extension may be employed by an employment agency or consulting firm. The employment agency or consulting firm must be registered with E-Verify, but the third parties contracting with the agency or firm (for which the student is providing services) need not be.

Limited Period of Unemployment to Maintain Status

An additional 60 days of unemployment time will be available during the extension, combined with the 90 days granted during initial 12-month.

Students must report immediately to International Engagement of any changes in employment through the STEM OPT Reporting Form.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strongly recommends that students keep evidence for each job regarding the position held, dates of position, the job title, supervisor name and contact information and a description of the job.

Reporting Requirements

During the 24-month STEM OPT extension period, both the student and the employer are subject to ongoing reporting requirements using the STEM OPT Reporting Form. Submit the STEM OPT Reporting Form for any of the items below:
  • Six-Month Reporting - From the start of a STEM OPT extension, every six months a student must work with their DSO to confirm that the student's record in SEVIS accurately reflects their current circumstance.
    • Must be submitted within 10 business days of each six-month validation due date.
    • Information to be reported: Legal name, Residential or mailing address, Employer name and address, and Status of current employment.
  • Annual Self-evaluations - Student must complete and submit to their DSO an annual self-evaluation describing the progress of the training experience. The Self-evaluation form is found on page 5 of the I-983 form.
    • Must be submitted no later than 10 days following the conclusion of the reporting period or conclusion of their practical training.
  • Material Changes to Form I-983 - Each STEM OPT student must report to their DSO any material changes to, or material deviations from, the student's formal training plan.
    • Must be submitted no later than 10 days following the conclusion of the reporting period or conclusion of his or her practical training opportunity
    • Changes may include: employer’s EIN, reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked, significant decrease in hours per week that a student engages in a STEM training opportunity, cchanges to the employer’s commitments or student’s learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.
  • Changing Employers - When a STEM OPT student changes employers, the new employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before the student begins to work for pay. The student must also submit a new Form I-983 to their DSO within 10 days of starting the new practical training opportunity.
  • Unemployment - STEM OPT students must report the termination of their practical training experience within 10 days of the event
  • Employer Noncompliance - If a STEM OPT student believes that their STEM OPT employer is not complying with the terms and conditions of the 24-month STEM OPT extension regulations, the Form I-983 instructions, and the completed Form I-983 on file with their DSO, the student may:
    • Contact the Student and Exchange Visitor Program at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by following the instructions found on ICE.gov.
    • Report violations through this Homeland Security Investigations tip submission form.

Travel and Re-Entry

Required documents to re-enter the U.S. while on STEM extension OPT:
  • STEM extension OPT I-20 with travel signature; travel signature cannot be more than six months old
  • Valid F-1 visa
  • Valid passport
  • STEM Extension EAD card
  • Job offer letter or statement of employment from company