stem opt regulations and requirements
Information regarding STEM OPT extension
How to apply for STEM OPT extension
For Employer: Requirements for Employers of Students with a 17-month OPT extension
(student may print this information to be given to employer)
Employer Information Form (Please complete this and submit to ISSS)
STEM 17-month OPT Extension Eligibility Requirements and Responsibilities for Maintaining Status (Please complete this form and return to ISSS via email or fax 270.745.6144.)
USCIS Q & A on the New OPT Rule and H-1B Cap Gap (you may also want to print this for your employer)
**IT IS IMPORTANT TO USE BLUE INK ON ALL DHS DOCUMENTS - including the I-765 for OPT!**
WHO QUALIFIES FOR STEM OPT 17-MONTH EXTENSION?
The 12-month limit on F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) will be extended by 17 months, for a total of 29 months, for bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field that is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. STEM fields include: (Public Health, Business, and Healthcare Administration are NOT included)
- Actuarial Science. CIP Code 52.1304.
- Computer Science Applications: CIP Codes 11.xxxx (except Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications, which are CIP Codes 11.06xx)
- Engineering. CIP Codes 14.xxxx.
- Engineering Technologies. CIP Codes 15.xxxx.
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences. CIP Codes 26.xxxx.
- Mathematics and Statistics. CIP Codes 27.xxxx.
- Military Technologies. CIP Codes 29.xxxx.
- Physical Sciences. CIP Codes 40.xxxx.
- Science Technologies. CIP Codes 41.xxxx.
- Medical Scientist (MS, PhD). CIP Code 51.1401
For a detailed list of programs included, click here.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 17-MONTH EXTENSION:
- Student must be currently participating in a period of standard OPT based on a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student’s major area of study.
- Student must have successfully completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, from a SEVIS-certified college or university.
- Student must have a job offer from an employer registered with the E-Verify employment verification system.
- The student has not previously received a 17-month OPT extension after earning a STEM degree.
- The DSO must recommend the 17-month OPT extension in SEVIS, after verifying the student's eligibility, certifying that the student's degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, and ensuring that the student is aware of his or her responsibilities for maintaining status while on OPT.
- Student will have to apply for the 17-month extension on Form I-765 with fee.
- Students who timely file an application for the 17-month OPT extension will be able to continue employment while the extension application is pending, until a final decision on the I-765 or for 180 days, whichever comes first.
- The employer must agree to report the termination or departure of the student to the DSO or through "any other means or process identified by DHS." An employer must consider a worker to have departed when the employer knows the student has left employment, or if the student has not reported for work for a period of five consecutive business days without the employer's consent.
Requirements for students on STEM 17-month extended OPT
The employment authorization period for the 17-month OPT extension begins on the day after the expiration of the initial standard OPT, and ends 17months later, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved.
Starting from the date the extension begins, student must report to DSO within 10 days of any changes of:
Student’s Legal name
Student’s Residential address
Employer’s name
Employer’s Address and/or
Student’s Loss of Employment (if student leaves employment, student must report this to the DS0)
OR
Date Student’s 17-month OPT extension ends.
OR
Student’s change of educational level at same school or
Student’s transfer to another school or program
Starting from the date the extension begins, student must report to DSO every 6 months to verify:
(this report is due to the DSO within 10 business days of each reporting date)
Student’s legal name
Student’s Residential Address
Employer’s name
Employer’s address and/or
Student’s Loss of employment (if student has any periods of unemployment)
DSO is responsible for updating this information in SEVIS within 21 days after student’s report.
School must report if there have been any changes in student’s circumstances or not.
Failure to report is now a basis for terminating a student’s F-1 status.
If student accrues an aggregate of 120 days of unemployment WHILE ON THE STEM 17-MONTH EXTENSION, the student loses his/her F-1 status. Top
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE STEM OPT 17-MONTH EXTENSION
Employer Information Form (Please complete this and submit to ISSS)
STEM 17-month OPT Extension Eligibility Requirements and Responsibilities for Maintaining Status (Please complete this form and return to ISSS via email or fax 270.745.1644.)
You will need the following documents/items to file for your extension. Please print the Initial Filing cover sheet to mail with your extension application to the appropriate Service Center.
Item 1 FORM I-765C with US$340 filing fee attached (payable to DHS – cashier’s check or money order)
Form I-765 Instructions - Be sure to complete #17 on this form!
Item 2 Two passport style photos with applicant names on back
Item 3 Copy of applicant’s SEVIS STEM OPT I-20
Item 4 Verification of valid status in United States
Copy of I-94 card from last legal entry to US (front & back)
Copy of passport ID pages with expiration date circled
Item 5 Verification of previous employment authorization
Copy of first OPT I-20
Copy of previous OPT card
Item 6 Verification of successful completion of Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral Degree in a DHS STEM field. (for example: your diploma)
For Employer: Requirements for Employers of Students with a 17-month OPT extension
(student may print this information to be given to employer)