Guidebook / After Graduation

To be eligible for the STEM Extension of OPT, a student must meet the following criteria: 

• Students are eligible for the STEM OPT Extension once per STEM degree and become eligible for another one only after having completed another qualifying degree at a higher level; F-1 students are eligible for up to two STEM OPT Extensions.
• STEM OPT Extension applicants must currently be on active post-completion OPT and cannot have exceeded 90 days of unemployment.
• Qualifying STEM degrees are those whose CIP codes (see ‘program of study’ section on I-20) show up on DHS’ Designated Degree Program List and are either the degree the current post-completion OPT is based off of or a previously earned degree from an accredited and SEVP-certified U.S. educational institution conferred within the last 10 years.
• Qualifying employment is required to apply for STEM OPT.  It  must be paid employment, directly related to the STEM degree, and must be at least 20 hours/week

• A ‘bona fide employer-employee relationship’ is required for any STEM OPT employment. Please review the “STEM OPT Employer Requirements and Responsibilities” section of USCIS’ STEM OPT webpage for more details.
• Qualifying employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, have a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), and agree to the employer requirements for STEM OPT by completing their sections of the STEM Training Plan (Form I-983). 

Review the following deadlines and considerations to time your STEM OPT application accordingly:

• The earliest USCIS will accept a STEM OPT application is 90 days before the expiration of the post-completion OPT EAD; the latest USCIS will accept a STEM OPT application is on the post-completion OPT EAD expiration date.
• Additionally, USCIS must receive application within 60 days of the STEM OPT I-20 issuance (**if you are delayed in submitting your application to USCIS, please contact OIP to request a new OIP I-20 rather than risk denial**)
• Students are encouraged to start the application process as early as possible due to lengthy USCIS processing times. The STEM OPT Extension approval process typically takes between 3-5 months, though USCIS updates their processing time on their website. Applying early reduces possible risks associated with the application being denied after the filing window has closed. 
• If you do not receive your STEM OPT EAD by the end of your Post-Completion OPT, you may continue working for up to 180 days after the end of your Post-Completion OPT (or until a decision is made on your application), as long as your application was ‘timely filed.’  You should receive your new EAD before you reach 180 days.  
• Students should plan at least a month for preparing the STEM OPT application materials.

To apply for STEM OPT, follow these steps: 

• Step One: Confirm your eligibility according to the above mentioned criteria and work with your employer on completing the Form I-983 Training Plan. Step-by-step instructions for completing the I-983 are accessible here.
• Step Two: Submit to OIP your completed I-983 and your STEM OPT I-20 Request form. While OIP is processing your new I-20, you can be working on the next step
• Step Three: Prepare STEM OPT application materials (if filing by mail, prepare paper copies; if filing online, prepare digital copies – name the files what they are and note that .doc or .bmp files not accepted):
  • Form G-1145 e-Notification of Application (only used if filing by mail)
  • A 2” x 2” recent US passport-style photo (or two paper photos if filing by mail)
  • Filing fee (currently $470 if filing online; $520 if filing by mail). Payable by credit or debit card for online application; if filing by mail, get a check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • STEM OPT I-20 (you will receive this from OIP; print, sign and then copy or scan) – must have been issued less than 60 days before USCIS receives your application **
  • EAD (current and any past) front and back
  • Passport bio page
  • F-1 visa 
  • I-94 record (get most recent Form I-94)
  • Copy of the STEM qualifying degree diploma (if you are applying based on a previously earned degree – not your Meredith degree – please consult with OIP for further appropriate documentation)
  • Transcript for your STEM qualifying degree program
• Step Four: Create a myUSCIS account if filing online (or log back in if you already have an account)
  • Go to File a Form Online
  • Select Application for Employment Authorization (I-765) 
  • Begin working your way through the application (see I-765 tips below). **Make sure to not submit the application yet**
• Step Five: Receive email from OIP that your STEM OPT I-20 has been issued and make an appointment when you are ready with all materials in order to add your STEM OPT I-20 and review your application together before submitting.

The following addresses the most common questions about the online I-765, not every single question on the application. If you have questions that are not answered here, please contact OIP.  

• Review USCIS’ tips for filing online (including Chrome as the recommended browser) 
• Basis of eligibility: (c)(3)(C) is the eligibility category for STEM OPT Extension
• What is your degree:  List your degree level and major CIP Code (you can find the CIP code on your I-20, under the Program of Study section on page one). For example, B.S. in Biology 26.0101
• Employer’s name & E-Verify number:  Check with your employer for the exact name and number listed for them in the E-Verify system.  Note: the E-Verify number is different from the EIN (Employer Identification Number) that you used on your I-983.
• Reason for applying: Renewal of permission to accept employment
• Have you previously filed Form I-765?  Select ‘yes’ 
• Is someone assisting you with completing this application:  This is asking about attorney assistance, so generally the answer is NO
• US mailing address:  Be very careful here – whatever address you list is where USCIS will send correspondence (and your EAD) to.  If you do not have an address (or a friend or family member’s address) that will be secure for the next 3-5 months, please use OIP’s address (c/o International Programs, 3800 Hillsborough Street, Lux 124, Raleigh, NC 27607).  Then indicate that this is not your physical address, and add the address where you currently physically reside.
• A-Number:  List the USCIS number from your current EAD
• Evidence section: 
  • Use the “Employment Authorization Document or Government ID” section to upload the copies of your passport, F-1 visa and EAD
  • For the “I-20” section, upload your new STEM OPT I-20 only (issued within 60 days of OPT application filing)
  • For the “College degree” section, upload the copy of your diploma and transcript
  • The “Institutional accreditation” section is only required if you are applying for the STEM Extension based on a previous degree (not your Meredith degree). Please see OIP for more details.

• Additional Information section: This section is used to supplement answers elsewhere on the I-765. For example, if you were unable to fit a name or explanation earlier on the I-765, that can be explained in this section.

• Review and Submit section: here you can access a Draft of your I-765 to review with OIP before submitting the application. Once you have met with OIP to review your application and you have double checked that all information is correct, then digitally sign and submit the application.
• Pay the application fee. Once you pay the fee, your STEM OPT application is submitted and no further changes can be made.

What comes next after submitting your OPT application:

• Receipt Notice. USCIS will issue a I-797 Receipt Notice available in MyUSCIS shortly after your application is submitted, and within a few weeks after, you should receive a paper copy of the Receipt Notice at your mailing address. Do check the receipt notice to ensure the correct spelling of your name and mailing address. *The receipt number on your notice may be used to follow the processing of your case on USCIS’ case status tracker.
• Request for Evidence (RFE). In some cases, USCIS may follow up with you to request additional information through an RFE that you should receive both through your MyUSCIS account and in the mail. An RFE is not cause for alarm, but it must be responded to relatively quickly, so please reach out to OIP immediately if you receive an RFE so that we can support you in a quick and effective response.
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If/when your STEM OPT is approved, USCIS will mail an approval notice and EAD to the mailing address you provided on your I-765. The EAD is your ‘work permit,’ confirming that you are authorized to work under the parameters of STEM OPT.

Reporting requirements for F-1 students continue on STEM OPT and mostly center around the Form I-983. Reporting requirements include the following: 

• OIP is here to continue to support you during your STEM OPT Extension period and to update your SEVIS record as needed; you and your employer(s) are responsible for submitting the required reports to OIP
• Within 10 days of a change, STEM OPT participants are required to report any of the following changes to OIP:
  • Legal Name
  • Residential address
  • Change of status to a different visa category
  • Transfer to another F-1 program
  • “Material changes” to the information on your current I-983 (i.e. employer name or location, reduction in pay or hours, end of employment, start of a new job, etc.)
• Every 6 months, STEM OPT participants are required to confirm with OIP that their STEM program (as reflected on their I-983) is still active and the employment information in the SEVP Portal is still correct. This ‘data validation’ is required even if no change has occurred.
• Every 12 months and when ending employment, STEM OPT participants are required to submit a performance evaluation (see page 5 of the I-983) to OIP, in addition to their 6-month data validation.  The top half of page 5 is to be used for the 12 month evaluation.  The bottom half of page 5 is to be used for the 24 month evaluation OR at any time if you’re ending employment with a STEM OPT employer.
• STEM OPT Participants can track their reporting deadlines in their SEVP Portal account.

Travel outside the U.S. for a temporary absence during STEM OPT is allowable, provided that F-1 students show these required documents:

• Current I-20:  Page two should list your current employer’s information and be signed by an OIP DSO within the last six months.
• Unexpired F-1 Visa:  If your F-1 visa is expired, you will need to apply for a new one prior to your return
• Unexpired Passport:  The expiration date should be at least six months into the future
• Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) 
• Proof of employment (for example, a job offer or letter confirming your resumption of employment).

See OIP’s travel page for more details. If you need to travel internationally before receiving your OPT EAD, please consult with OIP.  And if your employer has filed for an H-1B on your behalf, make sure to check with your employer about any international travel plans, as leaving the U.S. while an H-1B petition is pending can jeopardize a petition.