Overview
The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary employment or practical training that is directly related to an F-1 student’s program of study in an approved science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field. (8 CFR 214, 8CFR 274). Additional information can be found on the Study in the States website, STEM OPT HUB.
Students with STEM degrees who are currently in their 12-month Post-completion OPT period may be eligible for an extension of their Post-Completion OPT work permission.
This rule provides the following to F-1 students:
- It allows two STEM OPT Extensions per lifetime. However, the second STEM OPT extension must be based upon a degree completed at a higher educational level than the first one.
- It requires students to complete a training plan (Form I-983) and annual self-evaluations and obtain employer’s signature.
- It allows unemployment period of 150 days (90 days during the initial OPT authorization and an additional 60 days during the 24 month STEM extension.
Eligibility
To qualify for the 24-Month OPT Extension:
- You must currently be participating in a post-completion OPT based on the most recent degree (which can be or not be STEM-related).
- You must hold a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in an eligible STEM degree that is either a current or past degree earned at a U.S. school within the past 10 years of the date the designated school official (DSO) from EKU recommends the STEM OPT extension.
- The school where you earned your STEM degree must be Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified and accredited.
- Your employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify Program.
- Your employer must agree to complete and certify your Form I-983, formal training and learning objectives; to review your annual self-evaluation and sign it to confirm its accuracy and to report any material changes to existing Form I-983 to EKU.
- Your employment must be a paid position; volunteering is unacceptable for STEM extension.
- Your employment must be 20 hours or more per week
- You have been unemployed less than 90 days during current post-completion OPT authorization.
- You have not previously received the 24-month STEM OPT extension
- You must be bona fide (genuine) employee of the employer signing the Form I-983. Therefore, self-employment is not acceptable.
Application Timeline
To avoid delay or denial of your STEM OPT Extension application, please submit your application in timely manner and understand the following:
- You may submit your STEM OPT Extension application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) no earlier than 90 days before the expiration date of your current, 12-month post-completion OPT. However, we recommend that you submit your application to OISSS at least 110 days before the current OPT expires to allow ample time for processing.
- The start date will be the day after the end date of the initial 12 month OPT authorization.
- Your complete application and required documents must be received by USCIS within 60 days from the date your I-20 was issued by OISSS with the STEM OPT Extension recommendation.
- Your application will be denied if USCIS receives it after the expiration date on your current EAD card or after 60 days when the STEM OPT Extension was issued.
- You may continue employment up to 180 days while your application is still pending.
- Your post-completion OPT employer does not need to be the same as your STEM OPT Extension employer.
How to Apply for STEM OPT Extension
Step 1: Gather and Complete Required Forms
- STEM OPT Extension Request Form: PDF or online.
- Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (pages 1-4) completed by you and your employer. Instructions are located here.
- You will then be issued an OPT Request I-20 with the start and end dates you are requesting.
- Students will then create an USCIS account is they do not already have one
- Then they will fill out an I-765 form online using the (C)(3)(C)
- During the application process student’s will be required to upload the following.
- A passport style picture, 2×2 on a white background from shoulders to a few inches above their head.
- The I-20 they received from the PDSO/DSO with the OPT requested dates
- Any previous I-20’s issued that have CPT Authorization
- Any previously issued EAD cards from USCIS including the one you received for the original 12-month OPT
- Photo of your Passport or a PDF copy of your I-94
- Before submitting the I-765 the student will have to pay the forms fee of $410
- Only once the fee has been paid and the student has received a receipt number will the application be complete.
- Processing time for any OPT application can take 4-16 weeks (about 3 and a half months).
STEM OPT Reporting Requirements
While you are on the 24-month STEM OPT extension, you are still in F-1 student status and considered an EKU student and so you must continue reporting to an EKU PDSO/DSO the following information:
Student Reporting Requirements
There are several reporting requirements for students while on the STEM OPT extension. All reporting must be submitted to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) using the appropriate OPT Reporting Form or SEVP Portal.
Please note, any changes you report to us will be entered in your SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) record.
1. General Reporting
During the STEM OPT extension period, the student must report to OISSS the following changes within 10 days of change:
- Change of legal name
- Change of residential or mailing address
- Change of employer name, employer address and/or loss of employment
- Change in employers (this requires a new completed and signed I-983 Training Plan)
- Change of status (e.g. change from F-1 to H-1B etc.)
- Departing U.S. before OPT end date
2. Six Months Validation Reports
Students must submit validation reports every 6 months (6th, 12th, and 18th month) from the start of STEM OPT extension to confirm that student’s name, U.S. residential address, employer name and address, and employment status are correct. OISSS must then submit a validation report in your SEVIS record. The validation report should be submitted to OISSS at least 10 days before due dates. OISSS will give you estimated validation date at the time you apply for OPT STEM Extension and an email reminder before due date.
3. Student Self-Evaluations
Students must submit a self-evaluation at the end of any employment and at the 12th and 24th month marks from the start date of the STEM extension. Students must complete and sign a self-evaluation on Form I-983 and obtain employer’s signature verifying accuracy of self-evaluation.
You must submit a final self-evaluation with the old employer if you change a job.
4. Material Changes to the Existing Training Plan Form I-983
If there are material changes to or deviations from the Form I-983 the student and employer must sign a modified training plan reflecting the material changes. The student must then submit the Form to OISSS within 10 days.
Material changes include, but are not limited to:
- Change in employer’s EIN (Employer Identification Number)
- Reduction in your compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked
- A significant decrease in hours worked per week
- Changes to the employer’s commitments or your learning objectives
Employer Reporting Requirements
- The employer MUST complete and sign the Training Plan on Form I-983 along with the student.
- The employer is required to report to EKU any job termination or early departure of an OPT student within five business days.
- The employer must consider a student to have departed when the employer knows the student has left the practical training opportunity or if the student has not reported for work for a period of five consecutive business days without the employer’s consent.
Employers should report the termination or departure of an EKU student who is on the STEM OPT Extension by emailing us at international@eku.edu