24-Month STEM OPT Extension
A 24-month STEM OPT Extensionis available for F-1 students who haveearned a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics)field and who are employed by businesses enrolled in the E-Verify program.Students are eligible for a second STEM Extension after completing a subsequent higher STEM degree.
*CRITICAL APPLICATION INFORMATION* |
USCIS sometimes changesrequirements for OPT applications, such as updating the Form I-765 to use, changing the mailing address for applications, etc. It is your responsibility to follow all the government’s requirements to avoid a rejection or denial of your OPT application. Always use the links to USCIS that are posted on the OGI website and be sure to follow all instructions carefully. |
How to submit your request for STEM OPT Extension to OGI: |
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In order to be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT Extension, students must meet the following requirements:
- Students must be currently participating in an approved post-completion OPT and properlymaintaining F-1 status.
- Students must have successfully completed a degree from an accredited, SEVP-certified, U.S. institution in a program included on the within the last 10 years.
- You can find your program CIP code on the first page of your I-20, under Program of Study.
- Not all鶹˰ degreesare eligible for the STEM extension. If in doubt, contact your OGI adviser before submitting your application.
- Students must be working for or have accepted employment with a U.S. employer that is enrolled inand the employment must be directly related to the students' major field of study. You cannot be self-employed.
- Students must be employed FULL TIME at more than 20 hours per week.
- USCIS must receive your STEM Extension application package before the expiration of your current post-completion OPT or cap-gap, but no sooner than 90 days before that date.
- Students must submit the STEM OPT Extension application package to USCIS no later than 60 days from the date the OGI adviser recommended the STEM OPT in SEVIS and issued the I-20.
Students should apply for the STEM OPT Extension with the employer they will be employed with at the time their OPT ends and STEM OPT Extension begins.
- If you anticipate changing your employer prior to the end of your OPT authorization, before your STEM Extension period will begin, you should not submit STEM OPT Extension documents to OGI, or to USCIS, until you are able to provide documents for the employer for whom you will be working for at the start of your STEM OPT Extension period.
- The *ONLY* exception is if your OPT authorization end date is within 2-3 weeks away, and your new employment has not been verified. In this situation, you may submit the required documents for the STEM OPT Extension application to OGI, and should work with your DSO directly once your new employment begins.
All applications for STEM OPT Extension must be received by USCIS within the following timeframe:
- Before the last day of your current post-completion OPT or cap-gap authorization
- No sooner than 90 days prior to the end of your current post-completion OPT.OGI cannot process STEM OPT Extension applications earlier than90 days before a student's OPT end date.
- Within 60 days from the date your STEM Extension OPT Requested Form I-20 was issued by OGI
If you have appropriately filed your application during this timeframe, your employment authorization is automatically extended for 180 days while your application is pending. USCIS may take 3-5 months to process applications.
Students should apply for the STEM OPT Extension with the employer they will be employed with at the time their OPT ends and STEM OPT Extension begins.
- If you anticipate changing your employer prior to the end of your OPT authorization, before your STEM Extension period will begin, you should not submit STEM OPT Extension documents to OGI, or to USCIS, until you are able to provide documents for the employer for whom you will be working for at the start of your STEM OPT Extension period.
- The *ONLY* exception is if your OPT authorization end date is within 2-3 weeks away, and your new employment has not been verified. In this situation, you may submit the required documents for the STEM OPT Extension application to OGI, and should work with your DSO directly once your new employment begins.
REMINDER: Always check the USCIS website directly for the most up-to-date I-765 form, filing fee and mailing address.
** Make sure your SEVP portal is up to date, and employment information is correct prior to submitting documents to OGI. You may not be able to make changes to your SEVP Portal OPT information once OGI processes your application**
Students should apply for the STEM OPT Extension with the employer they will be employed with at the time their OPT ends and STEM OPT Extension begins.
- If you anticipate changing your employer prior to the end of your OPT authorization, before your STEM Extension period will begin, you should not submit STEM OPT Extension documents to OGI, or to USCIS, until you are able to provide documents for the employer for whom you will be working for at the start of your STEM OPT Extension period.
- The *ONLY* exception is if your OPT authorization end date is within 2-3 weeks away, and your new employment has not been verified. In this situation, you may submit the required documents for the STEM OPT Extension application to OGI, and should work with your DSO directly once your new employment begins.
STEP 1: Submit the STEM OPT Extension Request through International Student Portal
- Visit International Student Portal.
- Log in using your UCID and password.
- Click on "F-1 Practical Training" on the left-side menu.
- Click on STEM OPT Extension Request.
- Complete the form
- Upload the following documents
- A copy of the completed signed with ink or electronicsignatures from both you and your employer.For instructions on how to complete Form I-983, please visit the. You should also keep a copy for your records. The form will ask you for yourDesignated School Official's (DSO)name and contact information. You can find the name and contact information of your DSO/International Student Adviser under our . You will also need the "SEVIS School Code of School Recommending STEM OPT" (including 3-digit suffix):NEW214F00245000 (can be found on your I-20).
- A copy of your Diploma
- A copy of your Transcript
- A copy of your current EAD Card
- A copy of your most recent I-94. You may retrieve it online .
- A copy of the Certificate of Completion of the Canvas STEM Extension Module in the international students class in Canvas
- A copy of yourreceipt.
- Click on the link to pay this fee electronically.
**Processing time is up to 7 business days.**Students are responsible for submitting applications to OGI in a timely manner to allow processing of their applications and comply with all federal deadlines for submission.
To obtain your new I-20 from OGI:
Once the OGI has reviewed and processed your documents, you will receive your STEM Extension Requested I-20 via email. Print and sign it for your application, and also keep a digital copy for your records. Please review your I-20 carefully to ensure that all information is correct prior to submitting your application to USCIS. Contact OGI immediately if there are any errors, so they may be corrected as quickly as possible.
STEP 2: Submit the following documents to USCISeither by mail or online
USCIS must receive your STEM Extension application package before the expiration of your current post-completion OPT or cap-gap, but no sooner than 90 days before that date. Also, USCIS must receive your application no later than 60 days from the date the OGI adviser recommended the STEM OPT in SEVIS and issued the I-20.
Refer to the OGI guidelines in Canvas if you are considering applying online rather than mailing your application to USCIS. Find more information about applying online on.
If you are applying online, refer to the online instructions from USCIS for what documents to upload.
If you are mailing your application to USCIS, assemble the supporting documents in the following order:
- The I-765 filing fee.. Check or money order, made out toU.S. Department of Homeland Security. If sending payment by personal check, be sure check indicates account holder's’ name and address. Reminder: always check the USCIS website directly for the most up to date I-765 form, filing fee and mailing address.
- , Download ourGeneral Guidelinesand read theYou must submit all pages of the I-765, even if they don't apply to you or are blank.Use the I-765 form directly from at the time whenyou are applying. DONOT use a form that you got from any other source or that you saved from your previous OPT application.
- Photocopy of I-94 (both sides), or print-out of electronic I-94.
- Photocopies of visa and biographical page of your passport. If you changed your status to F-1 while here in the U.S., be sure to include a photocopy of your I-797 Approval Notice from USCIS, a photocopy of your visa (even if it is not an F-1 Visa), and an official transcript from 鶹˰
- Copy of previously issued EAD
- Two identical passport size photos (2”x2” with white background), taken recently.Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious denomination of which you are a member. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photo
- STEM extension requested I-20, received from OGI via email. Print and sign the I-20 in ink and save it as a digital copy for your records.
- Photocopies of all previous Form I-20’s, from any school in the US you have attended, that indicate work authorization.on page 2
- Officialtranscript from 鶹˰, as evidence of your program of study in a STEM CIP Code field included on the.
- (Optional & recommended) Photocopy of your most recent diploma that shows the degree name and the date awarded. If you are applying for STEM extension based on a previous degree, include a copy of that diploma.
- (Optional & recommended) Employment letter dated within 30 days of the application date.
- (Optional & recommended)Form G-1145.Clip the completed G-1145 to the front of the application or petition you are filing.
NOTE: there is a question on the online application that asks for proof of institutional accreditation if you are applying for the STEM extension based on a prior degree. A prior degree means a degree earned earlier than your most recent degree.
The average processing time is approximately 3 to 4 months. USCISmust receive your STEM application before the expiration of your OPT, or they will automatically deny your petition.
Where to send your application:
If sending by mail: look on the.Send your documents to USCISwith tracking information and/or delivery confirmation requested, and make a copy of your entire application prior to mailing to USCIS.
If applying online: refer to the .
Students may find additional information regarding employment issues below: