STEM OPT

The 24-Month STEM OPT Extension is an additional benefit from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows international students in F-1 status who receive a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in an approved STEM field to apply for a 24-month extension of their standard 12-month Post-OPT period, twice in a lifetime. This allows international students the opportunity to gain additional off-campus work experience in their field of study after completion of course studies and Post-OPT.

Eligibility

Requirements - Student

• F-1 students must currently be participating in the 12-month Post-OPT, and working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to their major area of study.
• F-1 students must have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a school that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency and that is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) at the time you submit their STEM OPT extension application.
• F1 students must have successfully completed a bachelor's, master’s, or doctoral degree in a STEM field included in the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. To find out if your program is in the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list, look for the CIP code on your I-20 under the section entitled PROGRAM OF STUDY listed under MAJOR. You may also review this document which lists all ASU degree programs with CIP codes found on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. You are responsible for confirming your program's eligibility at the time of application for OPT.
• F-1 students may not engage in practical training for less than 20 hours per week during the STEM OPT extension period.
• F-1 students may not engage in practical training that is unpaid/volunteer work or self-employment.
• F-1 students may not be in a multiple employer arrangement, or employed by a sole proprietorship, through a temp agency, through a consulting firm arrangement that provides labor for hire, or other similar relationships, if such arrangements are not bona-fide employer-employee relationships. Students must ensure they are working with an employer that meets all employer requirements listed below and in the “STEM OPT Employer Requirements and Responsibilities” section of this USCIS webpage.
• F-1 students must work with their employer to complete an individualized Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (Form I-983) which identifies goals for the STEM practical training opportunity, including specific knowledge, skills, or techniques that will be imparted to the F-1 student. The Form I-983 must explain how the training is directly related to the student’s qualifying STEM degree.

Previously obtained STEM degrees: If you are an F-1 student participating in a 12-month period of Post-OPT based on a non-STEM degree, you may be eligible to use a previous STEM degree 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 within the last 10 years, and cannot have already received a STEM OPT extension based on this previous 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 an MBA but you previously received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, you may be able to apply for a STEM OPT extension based on this math degree as long as it is from an accredited U.S. college or university and the OPT employment opportunity is directly related to your degree in mathematics.

STEM degrees you obtain in the future: If you enroll in a new academic program in the future and earn another qualifying STEM degree at a higher educational level, you may be eligible for one additional 24-month STEM OPT extension.

• For example: If you receive a 24-month STEM OPT extension based on your bachelor’s degree in engineering and you later earn a master’s degree in engineering, you may apply for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension based on your master’s degree.

Requirements - Employer

• Employer must be registered with the eVerify Employment Verification System and remain a participant in good standing with E-verify, as determined by USCIS.
• Employer must have a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued th the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes
• Employer must provide a practical training opportunity that is commensurate with those of similarly situated U.S. workers in duties, hours, and compensation.
• Employer must implement a formal training program to augment the F-1 student’s academic learning through practical experience.
• Employer must maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the F-1 student.
  • The employer that signs the Form I-983 must be the same entity that provides the practical training experience to the student.
  • The employer may not be the F-1 student’s employer in name only and may not assign, or otherwise delegate its training responsibilities to a non-employer third party (for example, a client or customer of the employer).

  Note: F-1 students seeking STEM OPT extensions may be employed by new start-up businesses so long as all regulatory requirements listed above are met.

  

  When to apply

  To allow for the 7-day ISSC processing time and the 90-day USCIS processing time, ASU ISSC recommends applying for 24-Month STEM OPT no more than 97 days prior to end date of your Post-OPT. This will maximize your opportunity to receive your EAD card on time.

  • STEM extension applications must be received by USCIS before the end date listed on the Post-OPT EAD card or the STEM extension will be forfeited.
  • Students whose applications are received by USCIS before the EAD card expires will be able to continue employment while the extension application is pending until they receive the final decision from USCIS or for 180 days, whichever comes first.

  How to apply

  1. Submit the STEM OPT e-Form to ISSC

  Submit your application materials to the ISSC through the ISSC eForms Portal (not to be confused with the SEVP Portal) no more than 97 days prior to the end date listed on your Post-OPT EAD card. The ISSC will release your I-20 on or after the 90th day prior to the end date listed on your EAD card.

  Please have the following materials ready prior to submitting the e-Form:

  • Form I-983 to be completed by you and your employer - digital/electronic signatures are allowed when signing the form. Form instructions . The start date for the STEM OPT extension should be the day after your current 12‐month OPT ends. Pages 1 through 4 only. Please refer to ISSC’s Self-Guided Form I-983 Review Canvas Course and/or the Form I-983 overview found on Study in the States https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/form-i-983-overview for instructions on how to complete this form. If your canvas account has been deactivated, please email issc@asu.edu with so we can place a ticket on your behalf.
  • Copy of the biographical page of your passport (page with your picture on it) valid for at least six months into the future (NOT your visa).
  • Copy of your most recent I-94 arrival record (NOT your travel history).
  • Copy of the front and back of your prior EAD cards at your current degree program level.
  • Copy of $200 OPT Case Management Payment receipt email notification (NOT a screenshot of your “cart”).

  2. Receive your 24-month STEM OPT Extension I-20 from the ISSC

  • You will receive an email notification from the ISSC with your new STEM OPT Extension I-20 and instructions attached.
  • If you would like a paper copy of your STEM OPT Extension I-20, please review our Receiving Documents webpage for more information.
  • USCIS will reject applications received prior to the 90th day before the student’s program end date. If the ISSC receives your eForm too early, your I-20 will be held and ready at or after the 90th day

  3. Submit Application to USCIS for Processing

  Once the ISSC issues your I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation, USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the date your I-20 was issued. Remember, you also must apply before your Post OPT end date.

  Please Note: These deadlines are critical - applications received by USCIS more than 30 days after your I-20 was issued and/or after your Post OPT end date will be denied by USCIS. These time frames are counted by the day, not by the month. Remember, not all months have the same amount of days, so you must count out the specific days to make sure you are within the correct time frame. The ISSC recommends applying online at least the day before these deadlines to ensure your application is received by USCIS in time. The USCIS application portal does not have the same time zone as Arizona; therefore, depending on when you submit your application, it may be receipted by USCIS the next day.

  You must file the following documents with your application:

  • 24-Month STEM OPT Extension application checklist (not required for online application).
  • Payment (choose one of the following):
    • For paper applications: Pay the I-765 filing fee paid by money order, personal check, cashier’s check or credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by money order or check, you must make it payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
    • For online applications: Online applications must use Pay.gov to securely submit payment via credit card or checking/savings account.
    • For paper applications: USCIS frequently updates this form which changes the edition (date). Your application will be rejected or denied if you use the incorrect form. Before mailing your application be sure to verify that you are using the correct edition.
    • For online applications: The questions on this form will be asked throughout the online application process.
    • For paper applications: Name and I-94 admission number should be written lightly on back in pencil placed in an small envelope.

    For a comprehensive step by step review of your STEM Extension packet and instructions enroll in the Self-Guided STEM Extension Packet Review Canvas course. If your canvas account has been deactivated, please email issc@asu.edu with so we can place a ticket on your behalf.

    If you are interested in Premium Processing for your application, please visit the USCIS Premium Processing webpage for details.

    Tips for Avoiding Application Rejections, Denials, Delays, and Receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS:

    • Do not submit your application to USCIS more than 90 days before your Post OPT end date.
    • USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the date your I-20 was issued AND before your Post OPT end date. The ISSC recommends applying online at least the day before these deadlines to ensure your application is received by USCIS in time. The USCIS application portal does not have the same time zone as Arizona; therefore, depending on when you submit your application, it may be receipted by USCIS the next day.
      • Please Note: These deadlines are critical - applications received by USCIS more than 30 days after your I-20 was issued and/or after your Post OPT end date will be denied by USCIS. This time frame is counted by the day, not by the month. Remember, not all months have the same amount of days, so you must count out the specific days to make sure you are within the correct time frame.
      • If you will not be able to submit your application to USCIS within 30 days of receiving your I-20, you must request a new I-20 from the ISSC by completing the Replacement and Travel I-20 eForm through the ISSC eForm Portal, and choosing the “I-20 cannot be submitted after 30th day of issuance” option.
      • USCIS receives online applications faster than the paper applications.
      • You can see all notices, such as a request for evidence or decision notice, in your USCIS online account rather than only waiting for the notice in the mail.
      • In the online account, you can sign up to receive case updates visa email or text message.
      • You can update your mailing and physical address through your USCIS online account.

      If for any reason you receive a Rejection, Denial, or a Request for Evidence (RFE) Notice from USCIS, or if you receive your application materials back from the postal/shipping service, DO NOT resend the materials. Inform ISSC by completing the OPT/STEM USCIS Notice Upload eForm for further advisement.

      Changing your Address while your Application is Pending:

      Changing your address while your STEM OPT application is pending with USCIS may cause issues with your EAD card being mailed to you correctly. Even if you follow the procedures to update your address with USCIS, there is no guarantee that information will be processed by USCIS before the approval of your STEM OPT application and your EAD card may still be mailed to your former address. Therefore it is recommended to avoid changing your address once your application is pending, if at all possible. If you know you will be moving while your application is pending, we recommend you put the mailing address of a reliable friend or family member on your application.

      If you must change your address while your application is pending, you must do all of the following:

      • Update your address through your MyUSCIS account
      • File an AR-11 change of address form
      • Update your address with USPS
      • Update your Local Address through MyASU.

      Note: You must update your address within 10 days of moving

      Receiving your Receipt Notice and EAD Card while on STEM OPT Extension

      Please remember, USCIS processes and approves your application, NOT ASU. Therefore, you should contact USCIS (1-800-375-5283) regarding application issues and/or delays. USCIS cannot change requested start/end dates nor can they change your completion dates. Once submitted, the only way to edit anything in your application will be to request USCIS to withdraw your case. You MUST speak with an ISSC advisor prior to requesting application withdrawal from USCIS.

      If you submit Form G-1145, you will receive notification of application arrival (i.e., Receipt Notice) via text and/or email within 72 hours, and you will also receive a paper Notice of Action (i.e., receipt notice) from USCIS within four weeks of filing. If you filed online, you will receive your receipt notice and receipt number instantly through myUSCIS upon submission of your application. You will receive your EAD Card approximately two weeks after USCIS approves your application.

      • The receipt number printed on the receipt notice, text, or email will allow you to track your application’s progress using USCIS’s website .
      • If you filed a paper application and have not received your receipt notice within 30 days, please email lockboxsupport@uscis.dhs.gov and include the tracking information of your delivery confirmation.
      • It takes approximately 90 days to process a STEM OPT Extension application. You may check the USCIS website for current processing times . If your application is taking longer than the posted processing time you may submit an inquiry for a case outside normal processing time with USCIS.
      • If your application is still processing after their currently posted processing times, you may submit a case inquiry with USCIS regarding their delay in processing times.

      Changing Employer while STEM application is pending (and Post-OPT still active)

      To avoid complications or delays with the STEM OPT Extension application, ISSC recommends that you do not travel or change employers while your STEM OPT Extension application is pending. If a change in employment is unavoidable, you must complete the following:

      1. Log into your SEVP Portal account and update your current Post-OPT employment
         1. Correct your current employer’s end date.
         2. Input your new employer’s information.
         1. Go to the MyISSC eForm Portal, click on F-1 Practical Training on the left side bar, click on 5. STEM OPT Extension: Reporting, and choose the STEM OPT Employment Update eForm
         2. For the question “Is your STEM Extension application still pending with USCIS?” make sure to select “yes” and then choose the option of “Change to a new job – STEM OPT still pending” and complete and submit the eForm

         Changing Employer while STEM application is pending (and Post-OPT ended)

         To avoid complications or delays with your STEM OPT Extension application, ISSC recommends that you do not travel or change employers while your STEM OPT Extension application is pending. If a change in employment is unavoidable, you must complete the following:

         1. Submit form I-983 for the new STEM employer.
            1. Go to the MyISSC eForm Portal, click on F-1 Practical Training on the left side bar, click on 5. STEM OPT Extension: Reporting, and choose the STEM OPT Employment Update eForm
            2. For the question “Is your STEM Extension application still pending with USCIS?” make sure to select “yes” and then choose the option of “Change to a new job – STEM OPT still pending” and complete and submit the eForm