STEM Extension Overview
STEM Extension Requirements
STEM Extension Employment Criteria
Types of Eligible Paid Employment
Steps in Applying for STEM Extension
Limited Period of Unemployment to Maintain Status
Reporting Requirements of STEM Extension
Travel Issues while on STEM Extension
Recipients of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields may be eligible for a one-time 17-month extension of post-completion OPT (for a total eligibility of up to 29 months). The 17-month Stem Extension OPT is adjudicated (approved) by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The end result of filing for the OPT 17-month STEM extension is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) which shows dates students are able to work legally in the United States.
STEM Extension Overview:
- Only one 17-month STEM extension is granted PER LIFETIME regardless of additional degrees awarded or level of degrees.
- New STEM extension EAD card begins the day after the expiration of the 12 month EAD card and ends 17 months later, no matter the date of adjudication.
- 17-month extension will be granted in one EAD card period and cannot be split into smaller periods.
- It is possible to change eligible employers during the 17 months, but only once the student has received the extension EAD card.
- If extension application is denied, student will still have 60 day grace period after expiration of 12-month EAD card to begin a new degree program at USC, transfer to another institution, change status or depart the U.S.
STEM Extension Requirements
- Must currently be on post-completion 12-month OPT
- Verified completion of a degree on the STEM field list and degree posted
- Job or job offer from employer registered with the U.S. Government E-Verify employment verification system and employer agrees to report within 48 hours to OIS any termination or ending of employment.
STEM Extension Employment Criteria
Any OPT STEM extension employment must be:
- Paid
- Directly related to the STEM degree major and at the appropriate degree level
- At least an average of 20 hours per week AND
- With an employer who is E-verify compliant and employer agrees to report end or termination of employment within 48 hours to OIS.
Types of Eligible Paid Employment
- Multiple employers – Students may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to the student’s degree program.
- Short-term multiple employers – Students may work for multiple short-term employers but cannot work more than one full-time job.
- Work for hire –This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship.
- Self-employed business owner – Students on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. In this situation, the student must work full-time. The student must be able to prove to DHS that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to the student’s degree program.
- Employment through an employment agency
Steps in Applying for STEM Extension
- Student requests 17-Month Extension I-20 to OIS. Processing time is 5 business days at OIS.
- The earliest that students can apply is 120 days before the end of the 12-month OPT. Applications must be received by OIS no less than 30 days before the current 12-month EAD card expires.
- OIS will mail STEM extension I-20 to student in pre-paid envelope provided by student.
- Student will then send the STEM Extension I-20, new I-765 form, application fee, photos, and all required supporting documentation to the nearest USCIS Service Center before the EAD card expires AND within 30 days from the date of I-20 issuance.
- Checklist for Extension Packet to USCIS is available for reference.
- Please Note: Students whose applications are received before the EAD card expires will be able to continue employment while the extension application is pending until they receive the final decision from USCIS on the application or for 180 days, whichever comes first.
Limited Period of Unemployment to Maintain Status
- An additional 30 days of unemployment time will be available during the extension, combined with the 90 days granted during initial 12-month. The aggregate total allowed is 120 days during the possible 29 months.
- Students have up to a 10-day grace period between the end of one job and the beginning of another that does not count toward the unemployment cap.
- Students must report immediately to OIS any changes in employment through the OPT employer information update form.
- OIS and DHS strongly recommends that students keep evidence for each job regarding the position held, dates of position, the job title, supervisor name and contact information and a description of the job.
Reporting Requirements of STEM Extension
Report to OIS within 10 days of any change of:
- Legal name
- Residential or mailing address
- Employer name
- Employer address, and/or
- Interruption or loss of employment
Make a validation report to OIS every six months while on 17 month OPT extension when:
- the student's F-1 status ends
- the student changes educational levels at the same school
- the student transfers to another school, OR
- the 17 month OPT extension ends, whichever occurs first
The validation reporting is a confirmation that the student's name and address, employer name and address, and/or loss of employment are current and accurate.
Please use the OPT Employer Information Update form to submit the validation report and any of the other changes listed above.
Travel Issues while on STEM Extension
Required documents to re-enter the U.S. while on STEM extension:
- STEM extension OPT I-20 with page 3 endorsed for travel; travel endorsement cannot be more than 6 months old
- Valid F-1 visa stamp
- Valid passport
- STEM Extension EAD card
- Job offer letter or statement of employment from company