OPT STEM Extension

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

• You must currently be on Post-Completion OPT and have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment in a major included in the DHS list of approved STEM field
• If you look on page 1 of your I-20, in the third box, you will find your primary major and CIP code, which must match the STEM List to be eligible
• Application can be for a previous degree, as long as it is in a STEM field and the school the degree came from is currently accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education within last 10 years
• MUST BE employed or have offer of employment in field of study from an employer participating in the USCIS E-Verify program
• Student must also agree with reporting requirements and complete the I-983
• Must have a valid passport

FILING DEADLINES, EMPLOYMENT DATES, AND TIME LIMITS

• STEM OPT Extensions begin the first day after the expiration of the first period of OPT, no exceptions, and end 24 months later
• STEM OPT Extension applications may be filed with USCIS as early as 90 days prior to current EAD expiration; but, will not be accepted after the current EAD expires
• A student who submits their STEM OPT Extension application before the expiration date may continue to work up to 180 days beyond the expiration, pending the outcome of the application
• The OPT STEM Extension provides as additional 60 days of unemployment, providing a total of 150 days of unemployment for the ENTIRE 36-month period

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:

•  Any change in name
• Residential address
• Updated email address
• Telephone number
• Name, address, phone number, and supervisor for employer(s)
• EIN for employer(s)
• Any change to the name and address of employer(s)
• Any interruption of employment (e. g. unemployment)

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:

• Document specific information in the Form I-983  about the company, training schedule, salary of the student, as well as providing the E-verify number of the company/organization
• Certify students are not replacing any US worker as a part of this program
• Evaluate and certify student’s progress as it relates to the Form I-983
• Report termination of departure of student to the International Student and Scholar Services office at The University of Southern Mississippi
• An employer must consider a worker to have departed when the employer knows the student has left employer, or
• Student has not reported for work for a period of five (5) consecutive days without the employer’s consent

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.