STEM-OPT 24-Month Extension

Students currently on POST-OPT may qualify to apply for a 24-Month STEM- OPT Extension. A STEM-OPT Extension allows students to continue working off-campus in a job related to their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degree for an additional 2 years after the completion of their POST-OPT. 

To be eligible for the STEM OPT Extension:

• You must have completed a degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) designated degree program.
• You must be currently authorized for 12-month POST-OPT and have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment.
• You must be employed for at least 20 hours per week (or have a future job offer) directly related to your STEM field of study.
• Your employer must be registered in the E-Verify Program.
• Your employer must have an EIN number.
• You cannot be self-employed.
• Employment must be paid.
• Volunteer (unpaid) employment is NOT permitted.
• Your employer is able to fully complete the Form I-983 and abide by all employer obligations, including Dept. of Homeland Security site visits.

When to apply for a STEM Extension:

The earliest you can apply for the STEM-OPT Extension is 90 days prior to the expiration of your EAD card.  If it is submitted too early, the USCIS will deny the application. 

Your application must be received by the USCIS before your current OPT EAD card expires or within 60 days of the issuance of your Form I-20 with the STEM-OPT recommendation, whichever date is earlier.

If you timely filed your STEM-OPT application, you can continue working for 180 days past your Post-Completion OPT EAD end date while your extension is pending adjudication or up until a final decision on your application is determined by USCIS (whichever is earlier). During that time you must meet the job requirements for STEM-OPT, such as working for an E-Verify employer. You can use your I-797C Receipt Notice to update your I-9 employment eligibility verification with your E-Verify employer. Your expired EAD card remains in effect during this period of time.

 

Requesting a Form I-20 with a STEM recommendation:

Submit a  STEM-OPT Extension Request Form and upload the Form I-983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT Students) and job offer letter. After review of the documents, a Form I-20 will be emailed to the student with the STEM-OPT recommendation.

 

Form I-765 Online Instructions for STEM OPT

 

Employment and Reporting Requirements on STEM OPT

Students on STEM OPT are required to report any and all changes to employment, address, name, immigration status, etc. using the STEM OPT Reporting Form within 10 days and are also required to complete scheduled reporting and evaluations at specific intervals throughout the extension period.

The Department of Homeland Security requires students on STEM OPT to report  information on their employment every 6 months, even if the employment has not changed. The reporting requirements are scheduled at 6, 12, 18 and 24 month intervals from the start of your STEM OPT.

Use the STEM OPT Employment Reporting Form to report employment changes and reporting requirements.

Reporting Requirements

6-Month Report - The student must confirm their current U.S. address and employment information

12 Month Report - The student must confirm their current U.S. address and employer information and submit an annual self-evaluation (page 5 of Form I-983)

18-Month Report-  The student must confirm their current U.S. address and employment information

24 Month Report - The student must confirm their current U.S. address and employer information and submit a final evaluation (page 5 of Form I-983)

 

Employment Changes

• If you change employers, the new employer must submit a Form I-983 and your former employer must submit the final evaluation (page 5 of the Form I-983). 
• If you are resigning from a job, your employer must submit the final evaluation (page 5 of the Form I-983).
• If you are departing the U.S., your employer must submit the final evaluation (page 5 of the Form I-983).
• If you have a change in Immigration Status, your employer must submit the final evaluation (page 5 of the Form I-983).

 

Material Changes to an Existing Form I-983

Material changes or deviations may include, but are not limited to:

• Any change of the employer’s Employer Identification Number (EIN), the company’s Federal Tax ID number, resulting from a change in the employer’s ownership or structure.
• Any reduction in compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked.
• Any significant decrease in hours per week.
• Changes to the employer’s commitments or student’s learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.

If any of these changes occur, a Form I-983 must be submitted with the updates. 

 

Resources:

Study in the States STEM HUB

Application for Employment Authorization Form I-765 

General information on completing Form I-983 can be found here. 

Information specific to students completing Form I-983 is available on the student page.

Information specific to employers and Form I-983 is available on the employer's page.