International Student and Scholar Services
International Student and Scholar Services
F-1 students in post-completion OPT, who have earned a degree at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral levels in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field as listed on the I-20 and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM Designated Degree Program list. Additionally, students must be working for an E-verify employer. It is important to note, not all students in the STEM fields will qualify for the extension. The list of qualified majors is very specific and each extension application must be considered on a case-by-case basis.
OPT STEM Extensions are NOW available twice during your academic career. For example, if you complete a Master’s degree and are approved for OPT and a STEM OPT Extension, you could get another OPT and STEM OPT Extension at the Doctoral level.
ELIGIBILITY FOR OPT STEM EXTENSION APPLICATION
FILING DEADLINES, EMPLOYMENT DATES, AND TIME LIMITS
EMPLOYMENT-SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Student must be working, at least, 20 hours per week for an E-Verify employer, in a paid position directly related to the student’s STEM degree. You must have a paid job or an accepted job offer to apply for and maintain your F-1 OPT STEM Extension.
A student may work for multiple employers; but, all employers must be enrolled in E-Verify. Students are not eligible to volunteer with employers who are NOT enrolled in E-Verify. Students are no longer eligible to start their own companies and apply for OPT STEM Extension signing off on the Form I-983 for themselves.
STUDENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON OPT STEM EXTENSION
All students will continue to report changes of the information below to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services within 10 days:
Additionally, students are required to check in with the International Student and Scholar Services office every six (6) months, even if there are no changes to report.
Form I-983 requires 12-month and 24-month evaluations to be reported to the International Student and Scholar Services office
EMPLOYER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF OPT STEM EXTENSION
Employers are responsible for the following:
TERMINATION OF PRACTICAL TRAINING
Authorization to engage in practical training employment is automatically terminated when you transfer your record to begin study at another school or at another educational level.