STEM Occupational Practical Training (OPT) Extension

The STEM OPT Extension is a work authorization that extends the 12-month post-completion initial Occupational Pratical Training (OPT) for an additional 24 months. F-1 students who earned a bachelor’s or master’s in certain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible to apply.

STEM Extension Eligibility Requirements:

You must be currently in valid F-1 status AND on post-completion Initial OPT.
- You can apply for the STEM OPT Extension during the last 90 days of your post-completion OPT. USCIS must receive your application no later than the end date that is printed on your OPT EAD card and no earlier than 90 days before that date.
You must have earned a degree in a qualifying STEM field.
- On the first page of your I-20, towards the middle, your major is listed. Next to the major is a series of numbers, called the CIP code. If your CIP code is listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, then your major is eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.
- Double major degrees will be considered. Minors are not considered.
You must have a job or job offer that meets the following requirements:
- The job is paid.
- The job is a minimum of 20 hours per week.
- There must be an employer (you cannot be self-employed).
- The employer must be registered in the E-Verify Program (https://ww.we-verify.gov/)
- The employer must review and comply with the employer requirements and responsibilities on the USCIS website and on DHS’s STEM OPT HUB.

Step 1 - Complete the I-983 Training Plan With Your Employer:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires that the STEM OPT student and employer work together to complete the Form I-983 (see attachment and guide at the bottom of this page). During STEM OPT, students must report any changes to their employment by updating the I-983 and submitting it to VCSU's Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), Shannon Hone (shannon.hone@vcsu.edu). There are three main sections of the I-983:
1. The Training Plan, which is the first 4 pages. This must be completed with your employer. When these 4 pages are complete, they will be uploaded to your I-20 OPT Request eForm request in Step 2.
2. The "Evaluation on Student Progress", located on the top half of the last page (page 5). This page is completed at your 12 month OPT STEM self-evaluation.
3. The "Final Evaluation", located on the bottom half of the last page (page 5). This page is completed at your 24 month OPT STEM self-evaluation.

Step 2 - Schedule an appointment with VCSU's PDSO, Shannon Hone (shannon.hone@vcsu.edu) to complete the following:

Submit I-20 OPT Request eform in Campus Connection (attach your current OPT EAD card and the four I-983 pages you completed with your employer from Step 1)
Receive a new I-20 with STEM OPT Extension employment authorization and sign it
Submit a new I-765 STEM OPT Extension Application to USCIS requirements:
- USCIS charges $470 to submit a STEM OPT Extension Application
- USCIS must receive your STEM OPT Extension application no later than 60 days after you get your new I-20 with the STEM OPT Extension listed on it.
- You can apply for an OPT STEM Extension during the last 90 days of your post-completion OPT.
- USCIS must receive your STEM OPT Extension application before your current OPT EAD card end date.
- As long as you have submitted a STEM OPT Extension Application between the dates mentioned above, you can continue working up to 180 days after the expiration date on your initial EAD card.

Step 3 - Wait for USCIS Approval of Extension:

You must wait 3-5 months for USCIS to process and approve your I-765 STEM OPT Extension application.
A new STEM OPT Extension EAD card will be mailed to you. Once you receive this, your 24 month extension has been approved.

Step 4 - Maintain F-1 Status on Extension:

Maintain and report your employment to VCSU's PDSO.
Students may not exceed a cumulative total of 150 days of unemployment during their entire OPT experience (inital and extension).
- Unemployment days are cumulative between both your initial 12-month OPT and your STEM OPT. For example, if you used 30 days of unemployment during your initial 12-month OPT, you would have a balance of 120 unemployment days left during your STEM OPT Extension period. There is no 60 day grace period after your 150th day of unemployment.
Report changes to your OPT status or Visa (see attachment at the bottom of the page as to what changes need to be reported and where to report them).
STEM OPT students must email VCSU's PDSO every 6 months after their OPT start date to confirm the following:
- Legal Name
- Mailing address in the United States
- Employer name and address
- Status of current employment (employed/unemployed and hours per week)
STEM OPT students must email annual self-evaluations to VCSU's PDSO every 12 months after their OPT start date.
- 12 month self-evaluation: pages 1-4 and the top half of page 5 of the I-983 form
- 24 month self-evaluation: pages 1-4 and the bottom half of page 5 of the I-983 form