STEM OPT Extension

To apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, you must:

• Have obtained a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. educational institution.
• Have obtained a degree in a field on the Department of Homeland Security STEM Designated Degree Program List.
• Have a job or job offer that is directly related to your STEM degree.
• Be currently authorized for post-completion OPT.
• Have accumulated no more than 90 days of unemployment during the initial 12-month period of OPT. You are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment while on STEM OPT (equalling up to a total of 150 days while on OPT or STEM OPT). If you fail to report employment to ISSS, this time may be counted as unemployment.
• Have no more than one previous STEM OPT authorization.

Your employment must meet the following requirements:

• Employment must be at least 20 hours per week.
• Employment must be paid.
• You may have multiple employers, but you must complete a new I-983 for each employer. Employment must be at least 20 hours per week with each employer.

You must keep written documentation of all employment for your records.

Some of the requirements for your employer are different for STEM OPT than OPT.

• Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify.
• You cannot be employed through a contractual relationship, self-employment, an agency, or consulting firm (review the information below regarding arrangements with staff/temporary agencies).

Your employer will be required to attest:

• The company has sufficient resources and personnel available to provide appropriate training.
• The company is not replacing a U.S. worker (full-time or part-time, temporary or permanent).
• This employment opportunity will help you in reaching your training goals.

If you have multiple employers, each employer must fulfill the STEM OPT requirements for employment.

The ISP staff member and authorized DSO, will walk you through the entire application process. This first meeting is about educating the international alumni about what documents they will need to prepare on their own and with their employer which includes:  

• A NEW I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation (which you get from meeting with ISP staff, after you provide information needed for SEVIS reporting)
• Funds available to pay the Filing Fee for the I-765
• One passport-style color photo (jpg, jpeg, or png) taken within 30 days of filing your application. You can get photos taken at the ACE Office or the Stevens County District Court in Morris.
• The completion of a I-983 Training Plan with their employer
• Your most recent I-94 Number & Travel Record
• Your most recent EAD Card
• The biographical page of your passport
• Your UMN diploma and final transcript
• Institution accreditation (which will be provided by ISP staff upon a meeting) 

Come prepared with the completed documents outlined in the first meeting. ISP staff will need to get a copy of your documents for the office. ISP staff will review the completed I-983 Training Plan, and create the  NEW I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation. During the meeting you will create a MyUSCIS online account. Complete all pages of Form I-765 online. Upon completion, keep a copy for your records, and ISP staff will also need a copy.  Do not submit until you have the STEM OPT I-20. 

If you wish to submit your application online (which ISP staff recommends) 

Login to your MyUSCIS Account, complete the online I-765, upload all relevant documents listed on Step 1, and pay the filing fee. 

After your payment is accepted, you will be redirected to a confirmation screen which will include your receipt number. Keep a copy of your receipt number for your records. You can track the status of your STEM OPT application through your myUSCIS online account.

• Whether you applied online or by mail, you will receive the EAD (Employment Authorization Document) by mail.
• If you applied online, you will receive updates from USCIS by email or text.
• It takes approximately 3.5 to 4 months for USCIS to process your request and mail your EAD to the address on Form I-765. USCIS has an online database showing the current processing times for I-765 (OPT) applications (select select "I-765" and "Potomac Service Center" in the drop-down).
• Several weeks after you apply, you should receive a Receipt Notice (Form I-797) in the mail from USCIS. Keep this until you receive the EAD card and the Approval Notice. You can track your case by entering the Receipt Number found on your Receipt Notice.
• Applicants who file a timely application can continue employment while the STEM extension application is pending, until a final decision on the I-765 or for 180 days, whichever comes first.
• The EAD will reflect the dates of your employment authorization

Note: If you receive a Request For Evidence (RFE) from USCIS, contact ISP staff as soon as possible. 

Upon receipt of your STEM OPT EAD card, you must submit a copy of your new EAD to ISP staff. 

Submit the STEM OPT Validation Report & Self Evaluation 

Every six months, you must submit a report to ISP staff to confirm that the information in your record accurately reflects your current circumstance.

SEVP Portal users will receive a reminder from DHS via email 30 days before any validation report is due. You must submit your validation report to ISSS no earlier than 30 days before and no later than 10 days after the 6, 12, 18, and 24-month dates from the start date of your 24-month STEM OPT.

Submit the STEM OPT Validation Report & Self Evaluation

You must complete two annual self-evaluations using page five of the Form I-983 Training Plan.

• The first evaluation must be completed 12 months after the start date on your STEM OPT EAD. Set up a meeting with ISP staff for guidance on this process.
• The final evaluation must be completed at the end of the 24-Month STEM OPT. Set up a meeting with ISP staff for guidance on this process. 

To be accepted, your Self Evaluations must be completed, fully signed, and dated by both you and your employer.

If you leave your job or change to a different visa status prior to the end date on your STEM OPT EAD card, you must complete and submit a final evaluation on Form I-983. For more information, review the "Report Employment Changes" dropdown.

Submit the Changes to STEM OPT Employment Form 

You must submit a report to ISP staff within 10 days of any of the following changes:

1. Change of employment (ending one job and starting a new one).
2. End of employment (no new employment to report).
3. Start of new employment (no previous employment to report ending).
4. Report material changes to an existing Form I-983 (any changes to your training plan) 

If you decide to permanently depart the U.S. or change your visa status during your 24-Month STEM OPT, you should contact ISP staff. 

You should also be prepared to share the following documents to ISP staff:

• New Employer: You must upload a completed, signed, and dated I-983 for the new employer to the Changes to STEM OPT Employment form. If you have questions, review the sample I-983.
• End of Employment: You must upload a completed, signed, and dated final self-evaluation for the previous employer to ISP staff. 

You must use the SEVP Portal to report any residential address and telephone number changes. You must also continue to update your address and phone number on MyU and with ISP staff, so the University can contact you.