STEM OPT Extension

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an off-campus training benefit available to F-1 students after program completion. Students in eligible STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs can apply for a 24-month OPT extension.

Student Eligibility:

• A student with a STEM-qualifying bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited, SEVIS-certified U.S. educational institution, who is in a valid period of standard post-completion OPT, has an offer of paid employment for more than 20 hours per week from an employer enrolled in E-Verify.
• Applicant has completed a degree in a STEM-eligible field from a U.S. accredited institution with SEVP certification within the last 10 years and has not already utilized this degree to apply for an OPT STEM Extension.

Things to Remember:
Form I-983:

• You and your employer complete a Form I-983 Training Plan
  • Form I-983 instructions can be found HERE. Employer instructions can be found HERE.
    • For STEM OPT applicants, your Alien Registration Number is the USCIS # listed on your post-completion EAD.
  • The STEM OPT start date is the day after your 12‐month OPT ends. The end date is fixed at 24 months after the start date.
    • Ex. OPT ends 02/03/2022. STEM OPT dates are 02/04/2022 - 02/03/2024.
  • Concordia University, St. Paul’s school code is SPM214F00284000.
  • You must be working in a paid position for a participating E-Verified employer; cannot be self-employed, unpaid, or volunteer work.
  • The employer that signs the Form I-983 must be the same entity that employs the student and provides the practical training experience.
  • You may use a staffing agency to find a training opportunity.
    • The term "employer" is used differently in the context of human resources than it is for immigration purposes on the I-983. While staffing agencies may hire and place students at training sites, they may not complete the I-983. The I-983 must be completed by the direct site supervisor, and each site must be E-Verified. Please note that this has been verified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program – who manages the F-1 regulations and F-1 student visa program – time and again and is published guidance. In other words, SEVP confirms that students may use staffing agencies and consulting companies, but such entities cannot complete and sign an I-983 unless they are able to show an employer-employee relationship and oversight of the student's training.
    • Students may engage in a training experience that takes place at a site other than the employer's principal place of business as long as all of the training obligations are met, including that the employer has and maintains a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student. 
      • The employer that signs the Training Plan is the same entity that employs the student and provides the practical training experience.
      • For more information on using staffing agencies and the I-983, visit Study in the States. 
• You must submit a new Form I-983 if you change employers or make any other material changes from the previous I-983.

STEM OPT I-20:

• You may receive the STEM OPT I-20 as early as 90 days before the end of your 12-month OPT period.
• Your DSO determines that the degree program that will serve as the basis of the STEM OPT extension is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List.
• The following CSP majors/programs are currently eligible for STEM OPT. This will match the information on page 1 of your I-20.
  • Biology- CIP 26.0101
  • Chemistry- CIP 40.00501
  • Data Analytics- CIP 30.7101
  • Information Technology Management- CIP 11.1099
  • Mathematics- CIP 27.0101
  • Computer Science- CIP 11.0701
• The DSO updates the student's SEVIS record with a recommendation for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, and issues a new Form I-20 that reflects the STEM OPT extension recommendation.

STEM OPT Application, Employment, and Grace Periods:

• File the STEM extension application with USCIS within 60 days of the DSO's recommendation in SEVIS and before the expiration of your post-completion OPT.
  • Contact ISS for a new I-20 if you cannot meet this deadline.
  • Students may not apply for STEM OPT extensions during the 60-day grace period following an initial period of regular post-completion OPT.
• Watch for your receipt notice letter from USCIS. You can use the “Receipt Number” to check the status of your case at www.uscis.gov.
  • Please note this website is updated infrequently.
• USCIS will issue an EAD reflecting the approved STEM OPT extension.
• Throughout the STEM OPT extension period, the student, employer(s), and school comply with all reporting, training, supervision, evaluation, wage, documentation, and other obligations specified in the regulations and on Form I-983.
• The STEM OPT Start Date is the day following the current post-completion OPT End Date.
• The STEM OPT End Date is 24 months after the start date.
• A student who has timely filed an application for a 24-month STEM OPT extension with USCIS may work for the STEM OPT employer while the STEM extension application is pending, for up to 180 days beyond the expiration of their prior post-completion OPT EAD.
  • Time spent during this 180-day period while the application is pending counts towards the 24-month extension.
• If the STEM OPT application is still pending with USCIS beyond 180 days, the student must stop working until USCIS approves the STEM OPT application.
• Students with 24-month STEM extensions may have up to 150 days of unemployment during the total OPT period including the initial 12-month (90 days) and 24-month (60 days) STEM OPT period.
• Students may work for two employers at the same time. Each employer must fully comply with STEM OPT requirements, and the student must be employed for no less than 20 hours per week with each employer.
• Students are eligible for the 60-day grace period at the end of OPT. This time may be used to transfer to a new school or depart the US.
• Students do not receive an additional grace period after the denial of an OPT application (post-completion or STEM).
  • The grace period allowed to the student would be the grace period from the end of the program, if the student is denied a post-completion OPT, or the end of the post-completion OPT, if the student is denied a STEM extension.

Health Insurance:

• If your STEM OPT employer does not provide health insurance, you may purchase your own plan. CSP does not enroll OPT students in health insurance.
  • If you would like to use CSP's health insurance partner, LewerMark, you may view their STEM OPT eligible plan here. 
  • There is an icon for OPT/OPT STEM students to select for more information.
  • Please contact Matt Lewer at mjlewer@lewer.com with any questions about OPT plans.

Travel:

• Travel is allowed on STEM OPT. Be sure to travel with the following documents:
  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of the re-entry to the U.S.)
  • Valid F-1 Visa
  • Form I-20 with valid travel signature and STEM OPT Recommendation
  • Valid or Expired OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
  • Employment Verification Letter
  • I-797 Receipt Notice for STEM OPT Application (if application is still pending with USCIS)

STEM OPT Reporting and Change of Status:

• Report changes in employment through the ISS Request page by navigating to the "Control Center" within 10 days.
• Report changes to personal information including address and phone number through the SEVP Portal within 10 days.
• Complete required STEM OPT reporting as required. See below for "Requirements in STEM OPT Extension." 
  • Check the SEVP Portal to view your STEM OPT reporting due dates.
• It is your responsibility to comply with and pay attention to reporting requirements and deadlines.
• If you change your status (to H-1b, etc.) while on STEM OPT, you must submit a final I-983 signed at the bottom of page 5. Please submit this as the 24-Month (final) Self-Evaluation Report found at the bottom of this page.

How to Apply for the STEM OPT Extension
Step 1: Pay the $60 STEM OPT processing fee HERE. (Click on International Student Services & STEM OPT Processing Fee)
Step 2: To request a STEM OPT I-20, click on the "STEM OPT Request"  that can be found in the “Control Center” section of the request page
Step 3: File all USCIS application items with USCIS within 60 days of the "date issued" on the STEM OPT I-20.

• See below for "USCIS Application Items Checklist."

Step 4: Follow all other Requirements in STEM OPT (listed below) to maintain your F-1 status.

How to Update Your New STEM Employer
Step 1: Find the "Control Center" section within the ISS Request page and select the "STEM - Change of Employer Request" 

• This allows ISS to update your current STEM Extension with your new employer's information.
• You do NOT need pay a new STEM OPT processing fee.
• Upload both your new employer's I-983 and your previous employer's final I-983 signed at the bottom of page 5.

Step 2: ISS will process your request and print an updated I-20 for you with your new employer's information.

How to Update Your Personal Address or Phone Number
Step 1: Update your personal address or phone number in the SEVP Portal.

• ISS does not update these for STEM Extension students.

What To Know Before Applying With USCIS:

• Information about Fees: Form I-765 filing fee
  • ​"When you file your form online, the system will guide you through the process of paying your fees with a credit, debit, or pre-paid card. Bank account withdrawals are also available when paying online. Once you are ready to submit your form, the system will automatically direct you to the secure Department of Treasury site, pay.gov, to pay your fees online"
• Form I-765 (Find form and follow all form instructions HERE)
  • Check “Renewal of my permission to accept employment.”
  • Include your employer’s name as listed in E-Verify and E-Verify Company Identification Number or valid E-Verify Client Company Identification Number
  • The Alien Registration Number is the USCIS# listed on your EAD
  • Enter (c)(3)(C) for STEM OPT extension
• Copy of signed I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation
  • You must file with USCIS within 60 days of the issue date
• Official transcript (recommended) or copy of diploma as documentation of the STEM degree
• Copy of your current EAD (front and back)
• A passport photo (ie. Not the same as your current passport or visa.)
• Most recent I-94 form
  • ​Click on "Get Most Recent I-94" to look up your form 
• Paperclip form G-1145 on top of application materials (optional)
• Note: the I-983 Training Plan does not need to be submitted to USCIS (unless USCIS requests a copy during STEM OPT extension processing).
  • Keep a copy for each I-983 for your own records.

File Your Application with USCIS:

You can start your online application here.
 

Requirements in STEM OPT Extension
Requirement 1: Update your change of address or phone number in the SEVP Portal within 10 business days.

• ISS does not update these for STEM Students.

Requirement 2: Submit STEM EAD in the request page under "Control Center". 
Requirement 3: Submit Validation Reports at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months of STEM OPT extension even if there have been no changes.

• SEVP Portal users will receive a reminder via email 30 days before any validation report is due.
• Contact ISS if you need to update the email address where you will receive SEVP Portal notifications.
• As part of this reporting, you will confirm the following information:
  • Legal name
  • Residential or mailing address
  • Employer name and site address
  • Status of current employment

Submit 6-Month Validation Report in the request page under "Control Center". 
Submit 12-Month Validation Report in the request page under "Control Center". 
Submit 18-Month Validation Report in the request page under "Control Center". 
Submit 24-Month Validation Report in the request page under "Control Center". 

Requirement 4: Submit Self-Evaluation Reports at 12 months and 24 months.

• Students are required by law to submit a Self-Evaluation Report on the Form I-983 every 12 months starting from the date the 24-month extension begins and ending when the student’s F-1 status is completed or the 24-month extension ends, whichever is first.
• The Self-Evaluation Reports are found on page 5 of the Form I-983.
  • The I-983 must have all appropriate signatures, or it will be returned to you.

Submit 12-Month Self-Evaluation Report in the request page under "Control Center". 
Submit 24-Month Validation Report in the request page under "Control Center". 

Requirement 5: Report edits or change of STEM OPT employer to ISS within 10 business days.

• Students who have changed employers during the STEM OPT Extension period are required to submit a new request including Form I-983 at the time of the employment change.
• Find the "Control Center" section within the ISS Request page and select the "STEM - Change of Employer Request" to submit new employer information and receive an updated I-20.
• You must also submit a final self-evaluation for your former employer, which must be signed by your former employer.

Requirement 6: Report change of status (to H-1B, etc.) and submit final I-983 to ISS.

• Students have 10 days after a change of status to submit the final evaluation.

The information contained in this web site is not intended as, and does not serve as, legal advice. It is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Content is subject to change, and students are advised to consult an experienced U.S. immigration attorney for advice and further information. Neither Concordia University, St. Paul nor the Office of International Student Services is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.