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STEM Extension OPT

STEM EXTENSION OPT

Following post-completion OPT, some F-1 students are eligible for a two-year STEM OPT extension. In order to apply for and receive the STEM OPT extension, an F-1 student must: 

  • have earned a STEM-eligible degree
  • be in the approved period of standard post-completion OPT (EAD card still valid)
  • have appropriate paid employment for at least 20 hours per week from a U.S. employer/training site enrolled in E-Verify
  • create and update a personal training plan regularly (Form I-983)

F-1 students are eligible for a maximum of two lifetime STEM OPT extensions, provided the second STEM extension is for a higher degree level than the first STEM extension.

STEM-ELIGIBLE DEGREES AT PRATT

Architecture BArch (04.0902)

Architecture MArch (04.0902)

Architecture MLA (04.0902)

Architecture MS (04.0902)

Communications Design MFA (09.0702)

Construction Management BPS, BS (04.0902)

Data Analytics and Visualization MS (11.0301)

Digital Arts BFA (10.0304)

Digital Arts MFA (10.0304)

Facilities Management MS (04.0902)

Information Experience Design MS (30.3101)

Library and Information Science MS (11.0401)

Museums and Digital Culture MS (11.0401)

Packaging, Identities, and Systems Design MS (15.1503)

Sustainable Environmental Systems MS (30.3301)

Urban Design MS (04.0902)

HOW TO APPLY FOR STEM EXTENSION OPT

Unlike post-completion OPT, the STEM extension requires that you have an offer of paid training from an E-Verified employer at the time of application. The employer will need to complete an official Training Plan called I-983 with you, which will then require updating every six months.

Like post-completion OPT, the STEM extension application process has two parts: 

  • First, submit your request and I-983 Training Plan in the OIA Student Portal to get your STEM extension recommendation I-20. 
  • Second, submit your I-765 application to USCIS, including STEM OPT I-20, in order to be granted a new EAD card for the two-year extension.

You must complete both applications within the 90 days window before your post-completion OPT expires, and no later than the end date of your post-completion OPT (according to your EAD card).

Part 1: Apply to OIA for a STEM OPT I-20

In order for OIA to issue you a STEM extension recommendation I-20, please apply in your OIA Student Portal and upload the following:

If you are STEM-eligible based on a different degree than the one you just earned, you also need to show proof of that degree. 

If approvable, within five business days, your STEM OPT recommendation I-20 should be available to download.

Part 2: Apply to USCIS with online I-765

USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of your STEM OPT I-20 being issued, and no later than the end date of your approved post-completion OPT. 

After your STEM extension recommendation I-20 has been issued by OIA, you must apply to USCIS for the EAD card, using the I-765. You can now e-file the I-765 application online, which we recommend. You will need:

  • STEM OPT recommendation I-20 from OIA
  • credit/debit card to pay the I-765 application fee
  • a recent passport photo (not the same one used for your EAD, passport, or visa)
  • any previous CPT or OPT I-20s
  • most recent I-94 record
  • passport biographical page

Select “STEM Extension” as your eligibility category and follow the instructions carefully. You do not need to submit the I-983 Training Plan to USCIS, that is always submitted to OIA. You do not need an accreditation letter if you completed your STEM degree at Pratt.

TRANSITION FROM OPT TO STEM EXTENSION

USCIS must receive your I-765 application before the end of your post-completion OPT.  At the end of your EAD card, you should stop any paid or unpaid work activity that is not on your I-983 Training Plan and does not meet STEM eligibility requirements. 

It is your responsibility to apply in a timely manner and ensure that USCIS receives your properly filed STEM extension I-765 application before your OPT end date. 

If you have filed properly and the application has been accepted by USCIS, you can keep working for up to 180 days while waiting for USCIS to approve the STEM extension. You may only work for the e-Verified employer listed on your I-983. Throughout the duration of STEM OPT, you may only work for employers/training sites that meet STEM eligibility requirements and the I-983 must be submitted and updated for each. 

TRAVEL GUIDELINES FOR STEM EXTENSION OPT

STEM EXTENSION REPORTING TO OIA

Alumni on the STEM extension have heavy reporting requirements from ICE in order to maintain status throughout the two-year period. Every six months (four times) you must report to OIA with specific information, as well as submit periodic I-983 evaluations from your employer. Reporting this information is time-sensitive.

No earlier than 30 days before your 6, 12, 18, and 24-month marks, and no later than 5 days after the marks, use the OIA Student Portal to submit your required STEM Reporting

SEVP sends an automated email reminder 30 days before the 6, 12, 18, and 24-month marks of your STEM OPT. In the window of time before the mark, you must confirm to OIA that your STEM information in SEVIS is accurate. We strongly recommend you put your reporting dates on your own calendar and not rely on the SEVP emails, as they sometimes go to spam or are not sent correctly. 

At the 12 and 24-month marks, you also need to submit the I-983 Training Plan in the OIA Portal. For the 12-month mark, your supervisor needs to complete the “Evaluation of Student Progress” section on page 5. For the 24-month mark, your supervisor needs to complete the “Final Evaluation of Student Progress” on page 5. 

An OIA DSO will then process your STEM Reporting in your SEVIS record within ten days following your 6, 12, 18, and 24-month marks. Please plan ahead and submit your required information in the OIA Student Portal within the 30 days before and 5 days after your reporting marks, to allow OIA time to report.

TIMELINE FOR I-983 SUBMISSIONS AND REPORTING

Initial application for STEM OPT I-20 – must occur within the last 90 days of your post-completion OPT

  • submit I-983 with page 5 left blank

6-month mark of approved two years of STEM OPT

  • submit personal and employer information only 

12-month mark of approved two years of STEM OPT

  • submit personal and employer information
  • I-983 with page 5 “Evaluation” filled out and signed

18-month mark of approved two years of STEM OPT

  • submit personal and employer information only

24-month mark of approved two years of STEM OPT

  • submit personal and employer information,
  • I-983 with page 5 “Final Evaluation” filled out and signed
ADDITIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

As with post-completion OPT, you are still required to update changes to your personal information (current and permanent addresses, phone numbers, biographical information, etc) through your SEVP Portal within ten days of any change. 

If your employer changes, you must submit an out-of-cycle report to OIA with a new/updated I-983 within ten days. Remember all employment must be regular paid employment for employer in E-Verify and you must complete an I-983 Training Plan for each.

At the end of the EAD card for STEM OPT, your employment authorization ends and you have a 60 day grace period to depart your F-1 status. You do need to submit the final I-983 to correctly end your STEM OPT status.

If you end your STEM extension training early, you must also submit the Final Evaluation I-983 and notify OIA by submitting an Early Exit request in the OIA Student Portal. This includes if you receive a change of status approval to another visa type.

CHANGING EMPLOYER DURING STEM OPT

Remember any employer needs to be in E-Verify and a new I-983 needs to be submitted for any changes in employment within ten days of that change. Use the OIA Student Portal to submit:

  • I-983 for your old job, with page 5 “Final Evaluation” completed and signed
  • end date of employment for your old job
  • new I-983 for your new job with page 5 left blank
  • new employer’s E-Verify number

If your I-765 for STEM OPT is still pending when you are changing employers, no further action is required other than submitting the above to OIA. We will take the step to notify USCIS on your behalf via your SEVIS record.

UNEMPLOYMENT CLOCK ON STEM OPT

ICE permits an additional 60 days of unemployment during STEM OPT. If you did not use the full 90 days of unemployment during your post-completion OPT, you also have that time remaining. For example, if you had 45 days of unemployment during regular OPT, you will have 45 + 60 = 105 days of unemployment possible during the two years of STEM OPT.

OTHER CHANGES REQUIRING A NEW/UPDATED I-983
  • any change of the employer’s IRS Federal Tax ID number called Employer Identification Number (EIN) resulting from a change in the employer’s ownership or structure, such as a corporate restructuring
  • any reduction in your compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked
  • significant decrease in the number of hours of work per week from the I-983
  • a decrease in hours of work that would reduce the student’s total hours with that employer to less than 20 hours per week
  • changes to the employer’s commitments or student’s learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983
  • change in employment training site.

If any of the above circumstances apply to you, you need to submit a new I-983 to OIA within ten days of the change. If you have any doubts whether you need to submit a new I-983 due to some change, we generally recommend submitting a new I-983 to be on the safe side.

AT THE END OF STEM OPT

Upon the end date of your STEM OPT EAD card, you no longer have employment authorization under STEM OPT. You have a sixty-day grace period, in which you are eligible to:

  • depart the U.S. and exit your F-1 status
  • change your status to another visa type in the U.S.
  • transfer your F-1 status to a new academic program

If you are departing the U.S. or changing your status, no action is needed with OIA. If you need assistance from an OIA DSO for an H-1B Cap Gap Extension, please email us.