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24-Month STEM Extension

Frequently Asked Questions
International Student & Scholar Services

INDEX
Topic Page Number

Eligibility for the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension

What degrees qualify for the STEM OPT extension? 3
Can I apply for the STEM OPT extension if I am a masters or Ph.D. 3
student and have not yet completed my thesis/dissertation?
Does employment on the 24-month STEM OPT extension have to 3
be paid, and if so, how much?
May I be self-employed on the 24-month STEM OPT extension? 3
How many hours per week must I work? 3
Does my employer have to use E-Verify? 3
My employer wants to enroll in E-Verify. May I apply for the STEM 4
OPT extension while their application is pending?
What is Form I-983, and is it a requirement for the 24-month STEM 4
OPT extension?
Are there two 24-month STEM OPT extensions available to me? 4
How do I determine if the STEM degree I previously earned from a 4
different school qualifies for a 24-month STEM OPT extension?

STEM Extension Applications Filed before May 10, 2016

If I apply for the STEM OPT extension before May 10, 2016, and my 5
application is approved before May 10, which STEM OPT extension
will I receive17 months or 24 months?
If I apply for the 17-month STEM OPT extension before May 10 and 5
my application is still pending on May 10, what will happen?

Applying for the Additional 7 Months if You Already Have a 17-Month Extension
How much of my 17-month STEM OPT extension time must be 5
remaining for me to be eligible to apply for the additional 7 months?
When is the earliest I can apply to USCIS? 5
When is the latest I can apply to USCIS? 5
Are the additional 7 months considered part of my first STEM OPT 5
extension, or will they be counted as my second STEM OPT
extension?
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Applying for the STEM Extension for the First Time

In general, how early can I apply for the 24-month STEM OPT 6
extension?
Can I apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension during my 60- 6
day grace period (following my post-completion OPT end date)?

General Application Instructions

What is the application process? 6

What documentation must I submit to ISSS, and which documents 6
must I submit to USCIS?
How long will it take to receive my I-20 with the 24-month STEM 6
OPT extension recommendation from ISSS?
How long after receiving my Form I-20 must I mail my application to 7
USCIS?
How long will it take USCIS to process my application? Can I 7
expedite the process?

Pending 24-Month STEM Extension Applications

Can I continue working if my post-completion OPT or 17-month 7

STEM OPT extension expires while my 24-month STEM OPT
extension application is pending?

Reporting Requirements during the 24-Month STEM Extension

If I change employers, what am I required to do? 7

If the nature of my job changes (but not my employer), what am I 7
required to do?
If I am working for the same employer but my employers client 8
changes, what am I required to do?
How much unemployment time am I allowed, and if I become 8
unemployed, what am I required to do?
What is a six-month report, and when and how should I provide it? 8
What is a self-evaluation, and when and how should I provide it? 8
Besides the above, what other reporting requirements do I have on 8
the 24-month STEM OPT Extension?
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Eligibility for the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension

What degrees qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

A bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree from a school that is accredited by a U.S. Department of
Education-recognized accrediting agency and is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program
(SEVP) when you submit your STEM OPT extension application. [USCIS, Optional Practical Training
Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT)] A list of schools certified by the Student and Exchange
Visitor Program (SEVP) can be found here. Information about accreditation can be found here.

Can I apply for the STEM OPT extension if I am a masters or Ph.D. student and have not yet
completed my thesis/dissertation?

Yes. According to the Department of Homeland Security, an F-1 student engaging in a 12-month period of
post-completion OPT based on the completion of coursework toward a STEM degree is eligible for a
STEM OPT extension based on that same degree if the only outstanding requirement for obtaining the
degree at the time of application is the completion of a thesis (or equivalent). (Federal Register; Volume 81,
Number 48; Page 13080)

Does employment on the 24-month STEM OPT extension have to be paid, and if so, how much?

Yes. DHS has determined that as a result of the rule's general requirements, a student seeking a STEM
OPT extension will not be allowed to use a volunteer opportunity as a basis for a STEM OPT extension.
According to the DHS, "The terms and conditions of a STEM practical training opportunity during the
period of the 24-month OPT extension, including duties, hours, and compensation, must be commensurate
with terms and conditions applicable to the employer's similarly situated U.S. workers in the area of
employment. (Federal Register; Volume 81, Number 48; Page 13079, 13119)

May I be self-employed on the 24-month STEM OPT extension?

F-1 students cannot qualify for STEM OPT extensions unless they will be bona fide employees of the
employer signing the Form I-983 because F-1 students may not provide the employer attestation (i.e.,
signatures) on their own behalf. However, they may use a start-up business so long as all regulatory
requirements are met. The employer that signs the Form I-983 must be the same entity that employs the
student and provides the practical training experience. (DHS, Study in the States, STEM OPT hub,
Students: Determining STEM OPT Extension Eligibility)

How many hours per week must I work?

You must work a minimum of twenty hours per week to be considered employed.

Does my employer have to use E-Verify?

Yes.
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My employer wants to enroll in E-Verify. May I apply for the STEM OPT extension while their
application is pending?

No. You must provide the employers E-Verify number on your I-765, which is the application for the
STEM OPT extension.

What is Form I-983, and is it a requirement for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?

Before applying to USCIS for a STEM OPT extension, a STEM OPT student must download, complete,
sign and submit the Form I-983 to their DSO [Designated School Official (ISSS advisor)]. The STEM OPT
student and their prospective employer must work together to complete this form. STEM OPT students
and their employers are subject to the terms of the 24-month STEM OPT extension regulations and Form
I-983 instructions, effective as of the start date requested for STEM OPT, as indicated on the form. (DHS,
Study in the States, STEM OPT hub, Students and the Form I-983)

Are there two 24-month STEM OPT extensions available to me?

According to the DHS, If a student completes all such course requirements for another qualifying degree at
a higher degree level than the first, the student may apply for a second 24-month extension of OPT while in
a valid period of post-completion OPT authorized under 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(3)(i)(B). (Federal Register;
Volume 81, Number 48; Pages 13117-18)

Therefore, you must meet two requirements in order to qualify for a second 24-month STEM extension:

Earn a second qualifying STEM degree at a higher degree level and

Be first approved for a new period of post-completion OPT based on that higher degree

This means you may not apply for a new STEM OPT extension if you are not currently participating in
post-completion OPT, and you may not apply for back-to-back STEM OPT extensions.

How do I determine if the STEM degree I previously earned from a different school qualifies for a
24-month STEM OPT extension?

If you are an F-1 student participating in a 12-month period of post-completion OPT based on a non-
STEM degree, you may be eligible to use a prior STEM degree earned from a U.S. institution of higher
education to apply for a STEM OPT extension. You must have received both degrees from currently
accredited and SEVP-certified institutions, and cannot have already received a STEM OPT extension based
on this prior degree. The practical training opportunity also must be directly related to the previously
obtained STEM degree.

For example: If you are currently participating in OPT based on a masters degree in business
administration but you previously received a bachelors degree in mathematics, you may be able to
apply for a STEM OPT extension based on your bachelors degree as long as it is from an accredited
U.S. college or university and the OPT employment opportunity is directly related to your bachelors
degree in mathematics. [USCIS, Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students
(STEM OPT)]
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STEM Extension Applications Filed before May 10, 2016

If I apply for the STEM OPT extension before May 10, 2016, and my application is approved before
May 10, which STEM OPT extension will I receive17 months or 24 months?

You will receive the 17-month STEM OPT extension.

If I apply for the 17-month STEM OPT extension before May 10 and my application is still pending
on May 10, what will happen?

USCIS says this:

If your application is still pending on May 10, 2016, we will send you a request for evidence to allow
you to demonstrate that you are eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension.
You must then submit a Form I-20 endorsed on or after May 10, 2016, indicating that your DSO
recommends you for a 24-month OPT extension and that you, your DSO, and your employer meet
the requirements for a 24-month extension.
You will not need to pay an additional fee or refile the Form I-765. [USCIS, Optional Practical
Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT)]

If you receive a request for evidence (RFE) from USCIS, you will be required to submit updated
documentation to ISSS, including the signed Form I-983. Please contact your ISSS advisor (listed on the
ISSS homepage) if you receive an RFE.

Applying for the Additional 7 Months if You Already Have a 17-Month Extension

How much of my STEM OPT extension time must be remaining for me to be eligible to apply for
the additional 7 months?

You must have a minimum of 150 days of your STEM OPT extension remaining when USCIS receives your
application. This means that you should have about 165 days of your STEM OPT extension remaining
when you submit your application to ISSS.

When is the earliest I can apply to USCIS?

May 10, 2016.

When is the latest I can apply to USCIS?

August 8, 2016, as long as you also meet the requirement of having at least 150 days of your STEM OPT
extension remaining when USCIS receives your application.

Are the additional 7 months considered part of my first STEM OPT extension, or will they be
counted as my second STEM OPT extension?

The additional 7 months are considered part of your first STEM OPT extension.
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Applying for the STEM OPT Extension for the First Time

In general, how early can I apply for the 24-Month STEM OPT extension?

You may apply no earlier than 90 days before your post-completion OPT expires, as long as you also apply
on or after May 10, 2016.

Can I apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension during my 60-day grace period (following my
post-completion OPT end date)?

No.

General Application Instructions

What is the application process?

1. Complete and submit the OPT Request Form, I-765, and I-983, and provide copies of your EAD
and offer/employment verification letter (along with any accompanying documentation listed on the
forms) to the ISSS Coordinator (listed on the ISSS homepage).
2. ISSS will issue you a new Form I-20 if you qualify for the STEM OPT extension.
3. You will receive your new STEM OPT extension I-20s from ISSS, sign them, and mail your
application to USCIS according to the instructions on the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension
Application Checklist.
4. As long as you submit all of the documentation listed on the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension
Application Checklist, USCIS will adjudicate your application, which takes approximately 90 days. If
USCIS has any questions, they will send you a request for information/evidence.
5. If your application is approved, USCIS will mail you an Employment Authorization Document
(EAD) for the STEM OPT extension, which will list the start and end dates you are authorized to
work on the STEM OPT extension.

What documentation must I submit to ISSS, and which documents must I submit to USCIS?

Please refer to the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Application Checklist for a complete list of documents
to submit to ISSS and USCIS.

How long will it take to receive my I-20 with the 24-month STEM OPT extension recommendation
from ISSS?

Please consult the ISSS staff member who accepts your application for current ISSS processing times.
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How long after receiving my Form I-20 must I mail my application to USCIS?

USCIS must receive your application within 60 days of the date your OPT was recommended in SEVIS.
Since this date is not listed on your I-20, please make sure USCIS receives your application within 50 days of
the date the I-20 was issued (the date next to the ISSS staff members name on the first page of your new I-
20). If you are too close to the deadline to be sure the application will arrive in time, please contact your
ISSS advisor (listed on the ISSS homepage) for assistance.

How long will it take USCIS to process my application? Can I expedite the process?

The average length of time for USCIS to adjudicate an application is 90 days. USCIS will not expedite your
application unless you can prove you are in an extreme emergency, that you will experience a severe
financial loss, or that there is a humanitarian cause for expediency. Since students with STEM OPT
extension applications pending with USCIS have their work authorization automatically extended for up
to 180 days after the expiration date on their most recent OPT EAD, even legitimate expedite requests
should not be necessary in the majority of cases.

Pending 24-Month STEM Extension Applications

Can I continue working if my post-completion OPT or 17-month STEM OPT extension expires
while my 24-month STEM OPT extension application is pending?

Yes, as stated above, your work authorization is automatically extended for up to 180 days after the
expiration date on your most recent OPT EAD once you have a STEM OPT extension application pending
with USCIS. (Federal Register; Volume 81, Number 48; Page 13121) Your proof of filing is the Receipt
number, which you may obtain by filing Form G-1145 with your original application; this will allow you to
receive an e-mail/text when USCIS accepts your application: www.uscis.gov/g-1145. If you forgot to file
Form G-1145 and have not yet received your paper I-797C Receipt from USCIS, you may consider your
shipping confirmation and proof of cashed check (once you have them) to be proof of filing. This evidence,
along with your expired EAD and I-20 with the STEM OPT extension recommendation, is proof of the
automatic extension of your OPT work authorization.

Reporting Requirements during the 24-Month STEM Extension

If I change employers, what am I required to do?

You must submit the Application for OPT/STEM Extension Employment Update to ISSS with a new
Form I-983 Mentoring and Training Plan and a copy of your STEM extension EAD and employment offer
letter within 10 days of your job change. If your STEM extension application is still pending with USCIS
and you want to change employers, please contact your ISSS advisor (listed on the ISSS homepage) for
guidance.

If the nature of my job changes (but not my employer), what am I required to do?

You must submit the Application for OPT/STEM Extension Employment Update and a new Form I-983
Mentoring and Training Plan to the ISSS office within 10 days of your job change.
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If I am working for the same employer but my employers client changes, what am I required to
do?

You must submit the Application for OPT/STEM Extension Employment Update to the ISSS office
within 10 days of your job change. You should also speak with your employer to see if a new Form I-983
Mentoring and Training Plan is necessary. If it is, you must also submit it to the ISSS office as well.

How much unemployment time am I allowed, and if I become unemployed, what am I required to
do?

Of the 90 days of unemployment you were allowed on post-completion OPT, you are permitted to use any
unused time (the balance of 90 days), and you have 60 additional unemployment days on the 24-month
STEM OPT extension. If you become unemployed, you must submit the Application for OPT/STEM
Extension Employment Update to the ISSS office within 10 days of ending employment.

What is a six-month report, and when and how should I provide it?

On the OPT STEM extension, you are required to report the following to ISSS by e-mail every 6 months
from the start of your extension; if you do not do so, your F-1 status could be terminated in the SEVIS
system. To make a report, you should send your ISSS advisor (listed on the ISSS homepage) the following
information:

Your SEVIS ID
Your full name
Your current mailing and residential address (if these are different, send them both to your advisor)
Name and address of your current employer
Date you began working for your current employer and status of your employment/practical training
experience

What is a self-evaluation, and when and how should I provide it?

Each STEM OPT student must submit to their DSO an annual self-evaluation about the progress of the
training experience.

Students and their employers must sign the student's self-evaluation before the student submits it to the
DSO, who will include it in the student's record. For more information about the annual self-evaluation,
please visit the Students and the Form I-983 page. (DHS, Study in the States, STEM OPT hub, Students:
STEM OPT Reporting Requirements)

Besides the above, what other reporting requirements do I have on the STEM Extension?

Please refer to Section IV, OPT Acknowledgement of Responsibilities on the OPT Request Form for a
complete list of your reporting requirements on the STEM OPT extension.