{"id":33498,"date":"2024-09-27T17:46:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T21:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marymount.edu\/academics\/?page_id=33498"},"modified":"2025-02-06T12:46:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T17:46:09","slug":"opt-stem-extension","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/marymount.edu\/academics\/center-global-engagement\/international-student-services\/current-students\/employment\/opt-stem-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"OPT STEM Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"
OPT STEM Extension is for students who majored in designated\u00a0Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees\u00a0approved by DHS<\/a>.\u00a0This type of OPT is a 24-month extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and can only be used at a maximum of two<\/em> degree levels. For example, if a student uses STEM OPT at the bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s levels, they may not use STEM OPT at the doctoral level.<\/p>\n A student with a qualifying Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, and<\/em> who is in a valid period of standard post-completion OPT, may be eligible to apply for an additional 24-month extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT).<\/p>\n Need information to share with your employer? Check out the Employer Information<\/a> webpage.<\/p>\n If qualified, you can submit your STEM OPT extension application to USCIS up to 90 days\u00a0before\u00a0<\/strong>your current OPT end date. It is important to note, however, that the OPT STEM Extension application must be received by USCIS within 60 days of the date on which the ISSS office made the recommendation for STEM OPT in your SEVIS record and<\/em> before your current OPT expires.<\/p>\n Read all steps before<\/em> starting the process.<\/p>\n Step 1: Attend an optional OPT STEM Extension workshop. <\/strong><\/p>\n Check the ISS event page on MU Engage<\/a> for the workshop schedule.<\/p>\n Step 2: Complete the I-983 with<\/em> your e-Verify employer.<\/strong><\/p>\n Review I-983-Sample<\/a> and read instructions<\/a> to help you fill out the I-983 Training Plan form. Additional helpful information is found on the SEVIS Help Hub: STEM OPT FAQ <\/a>and on the USCIS webpage named Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students<\/a> (STEM OPT).<\/p>\n Step 3: Request the OPT STEM Extension Recommended I-20 from ISSS<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Step 4: ISSS issues your OPT STEM Extension Recommended I-20<\/strong><\/p>\n Step 5: Gather Required Supporting Documents<\/strong><\/p>\n Gather the documents that are required for your OPT STEM Extension application to USCIS:<\/p>\n Save these documents in an easily accessed place on your computer.<\/p>\n Step 6: Fill in the I-765 Application Online<\/strong><\/p>\n Step 7: Application Review<\/strong><\/p>\n Note: If you pay and submit and are rejected for failing to attach required documents or for missing information, USCIS will not refund your money and you may miss out on the opportunity to reapply. Be sure to review your application very carefully before paying your fee and clicking submit.<\/strong><\/p>\n Step 8: Submit the Application to USCIS<\/strong><\/p>\n USCIS processing times vary. Check the official USCIS website<\/a> for the current processing time using the following information:<\/p>\n You should receive a Receipt Notice of Action immediately. This will prove that you have an application pending with USCIS.\u00a0 This Notice of Action will include a receipt number (LIN number). This is the number that you will use to check your case status on the USCIS online account you created. You may check on the status of your application at any time via your My USCIS account.<\/p>\n Students are authorized to continue working for 180 days after the initial OPT end date, as long as the STEM OPT application was properly filed on time.<\/p>\n Contact your employer to update your I-9 document.<\/p>\n Throughout the STEM OPT extension period, the student and employer must comply with the reporting, training, supervision, evaluation, wage, documentation, and other obligations specified in the regulations and on Form I-983.<\/p>\n While on STEM OPT, you must still maintain F-1 status<\/strong>. This means you must continue to comply with F-1 requirements until you complete the STEM Extension and leave the U.S. or change your visa status. Marymount University will continue to hold your SEVIS \/ I-20 record during OPT STEM Extension<\/p>\n While participating in STEM OPT, you have mandatory reporting deadlines:<\/p>\n You can use the ISSS STEM OPT Date Calculator<\/a>\u00a0to determine when you need to submit your reporting.<\/p>\n Throughout the STEM OPT extension period, the student and employer must comply with the reporting, training, supervision, evaluation, wage, documentation, and other obligations specified in the regulations and on Form I-983.<\/p>\n Remember your reporting requirements!<\/p>\n Unemployment: while on STEM OPT, you receive an additional 60 days of unemployment<\/strong>, which means a total of 150 days of unemployment for OPT and STEM OPT combined.<\/p>\n Report via the ISSS portal, Tab 4 any change or addition of employment<\/strong>\u00a0within 10 days<\/em> of the change. This includes adding an additional employer, leaving an employer, or changing employers.<\/p>\n Report via the ISSS portal, Tab 4 any change in personal information<\/strong>, such as your name, address, or contact information within 10 days<\/em> of the change.<\/p>\n Complete the OPT-STEM OPT EAD Upload Request<\/strong>. Make sure ISSS has on file a photocopy of the front and back of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) through this form after you have received the STEM OPT Extension.<\/p>\n While on STEM OPT you may travel out of the U.S., but be sure to carry the following documents:<\/p>\n Work with your employer to update the I-983<\/a>\u00a0when needed.<\/p>\n ISSS has put together an I-983-Sample <\/a>for you to reference as you fill out the I-983 form<\/a>. Contact ISSS to find out the Designated School Official (DSO) name and email to include. <\/strong>This DSO may change depending on staff availability.<\/p>\n Be sure to visit the ICE official website<\/a> to download the most up-to-date version of the I-983 form.<\/p>\nEligibility<\/h3>\n
To qualify for OPT STEM Extension, you<\/em> must:<\/h4>\n
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To qualify for OPT STEM Extension, your employment<\/em> must:<\/h4>\n
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When to apply for STEM OPT Extension<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Steps to Apply<\/h3>\n
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USCIS Processing Times<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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While Your Application is Pending<\/h3>\n
Work While Your Application is Pending<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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After OPT STEM Extension is Approved<\/h3>\n
Mandatory Reporting Requirements<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Maintain F-1 Status\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Travel<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Update the I-983<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Submit your I-983 when:<\/h5>\n
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