STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT)

STEM OPT Information

For more information about STEM OPT Extensions, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), go to: STEM OPT Hub and STEM OPT Extension Overview. 

You should be eligible for a STEM OPT Extension if:

  • You are currently authorized for OPT.
  • You have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, and your major is in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. (See the list of STEM majors at Gustavus below.)
  • Your employment is directly related to your major field of study.
  • Your employment is a paid position of at least 20 hours per week.
  • Your employer is registered with the E-Verify employment verification system and has an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN).
  • You must submit your STEM OPT application before the date that your current OPT expires.

DHS Designated STEM majors at Gustavus (Note that the names of majors on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List may be different than what the major is called at Gustavus. Use the DHS title and CIP Code in your STEM OPT application. The below list includes: CIP Code and DHS title (with the corresponding major at Gustavus in parenthesis).

  • 11.0701 Computer Science (Computer Science)
  • 26.0101 Biology/Biological Sciences, General (Biology)
  • 26.0202 Biochemistry (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
  • 27.0101 Mathematics, General (Mathematics)
  • 27.0501 Statistics, General (Statistics)
  • 40.0501 Chemistry, General (Chemistry)
  • 40.0601 Geology/Earth Science, General (Geology)
  • 40.0801 Physics, General (Physics)
  • 3.0103 Environmental Studies (Environmental Studies)

How to Apply

Work with your employer to complete Form I-983 Training Plan and submit it to your DSO (Jeff Anderson):

  • Carefully examine the Form I-983 overview and download Form I-983 and Form I-983 instructions.
    • You and your employer must complete and sign Form I-983.
    • You and your employer must review and understand the Training Plan and agree to all obligations and regulations for STEM OPT.
    • Send Form I-983 to your DSO (Jeff Anderson) by mail, email or Gustavus Secure Share.
    • Provide Jeff with your Employer's E-Verify Company Identification Number and the name of your employer as listed in E-Verify.
  • Your DSO (Jeff Andeson) must review the Form I-983 Training Plan to determine that it is complete, signed, and addresses all program requirements. If so:
    • Your DSO will enter the STEM OPT recommendation in SEVIS.
    • Your DSO will create a new I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation for you.
    • You will need that new I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation to submit with your STEM OPT application.
    • USCIS must receive that STEM OPT application within 60 days of your DSO entering the STEM OPT recommendation in SEVIS, and not more than 90 days before your STEM OPT expires.

You may submit your STEM OPT application online or by mail. We recommend that you apply online.

** IMPORTANT: Do not submit your STEM OPT application until after Jeff has reviewed it with you and verified that it is complete.**

You will need the following materials for your STEM OPT application:

  • Application fee (May pay be credit card, debit card, or from a U.S. bank account). 
    • $470 online (recommended) / or $520 on paper
  • Passport style photo
    • Use a professional service or carefully follow all passport photo requirements to do yourself.
    • Eyeglasses or head coverings are not allowed, except for religious reasons.
    • Must be taken within 30 days of filing your application.
  • Copy of new Form I-20 showing the STEM OPT recommendation, signed by you and your DSO .
  • Copy of Form I-94 (Can download from the CBP I-94 website).
  • Copy of your passport ID page (must be unexpired).
  • Copy of your most recent F-1 visa (okay if expired).
  • Copy of the front and back of your current Employment Authorization Document (OPT card).
  • Copy of your final transcript (You can order from the Gustavus Registrar).
  • Copy of your diploma.

Online STEM OPT Application Process:

  • Create a USCIS online account at myaccount.uscis.gov or login with your existing account.
  • Click on "File a form online"
    • Choose "Application for Employment Authorization (I-765)
    • Click on "Start form"
  • Complete the online form with your following information:
    • Question: "What is your eligibility category?"
      • Select "(c)(3)(C) STEM Extension"
    • Question: "What is your degree?"
      • Enter the CIP Code for your STEM Major
    • Question: "What is your employer's name as listed in E-Verify"
      • Check with your employer for the correct name as listed in E-Verify
    • Question: "What is your employer's E-Verify company identification number?"
      • Check with your employer for the correct E-Verify number.
      • The E-Verify number should be between 5-7 digits.
      • The E-Verify number is different than the EIN (Employer Identification Number).
    • Question: "What is your reason for applying?"
      • Answer: "Renewal of permission to accept employment"
    • Question: "Have you previously filed Form I-765?"
      • Answer: "Yes"
    • Question: "Is someone assisting you with completing this application?"
      • Answer: "No"
    • Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport and Form I-20.
    • You may want to use a personal email address, as your Gustavus email access will expire 90 days after graduation.
    • Enter an address that is a reliable location to receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that USCIS will mail to you after your STEM OPT is approved.
      • You may update USCIS if you change to a new address that is a reliable location to receive your EAD.
    • Question: "What is your A-Number?"
      • Your A-Number is the same as the USCIS# found on your current EAD / OPT Card.
    • Question: "What is your USCIS Online Account Number?"
      • Enter your USCIS Online Account Number (which you should have if you applied for OPT online).
      • If this is the first time filing an online application with USCIS, then you do not have a USCIS Online Account Number yet, and you should check the box for "I do not have or know my USCIS online account number". You will get a USCIS Online Account Number after filing your application. 
    • Question: "Do you want the SSA to issue you a Social Security card?"
      • Answer "No" if you already have a Social Security Number.
  • Upload Required Documents
    • Passport style photo (must meet passport photo requirements)
    • Form I-94 Arrival and Departure Record (download from the CBP I-94 website)
    • Employment Authorization Document or Government ID:
      • Passport ID page
      • F-1 visa
      • Employment Authorization Document (EAD / OPT card)
    • I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status
      • Your new I-20 showing the STEM OPT request, issued less than 60 days from the date you submit your OPT application.
      • I-20 must be signed and dated by you and your DSO.
    • College Degree

** IMPORTANT: Do not submit your STEM OPT application untio after Jeff has reviewed it with you and verified that it is complete.**

  • Make an appointment to meet with Jeff to review your OPT application.
    • Bring your laptop to your appointment or share your screen for an onilne meeting.
    • In your USCIS account you may go to your application summary and click on "view draft snapshot."
    • After review and confirmation from Jeff, then you may pay the OPT application fee and submit your OPT application.

When to apply:

  • You cannot apply more than 90 days before the date your current OPT expires.
  • Your STEM OPT application must arrive at USCIS within 60 days of your DSO entering the STEM OPT recommendation in SEVIS.
  • Your STEM OPT application must arrive at USCIS before the date your current OPT expires.
  • Once USCIS receives your STEM OPT application, you can legally work for up to 180 days beyond the expiration of your current OPT, while the STEM OPT application is pending and you are waiting for the new EAD (OPT card) to arrive.
  • Consult with your employer regarding filing an H-1B petition and the timing of that and your OPT STEM application.
     

After you submit your STEM OPT application:

  • It normally takes two to four months for USCIS to process the STEM OPT application and mail your new EAD (OPT card) to the address on Form I-765.
  • After you apply, you should receive an email and a receipt notice (Form I-798) in the mail from USCIS.
  • With your receipt number, you may check on the status of your application at USCIS Case Status Online.
  • For an additional fee of $1,685, USCIS will guarantee "premium processing", within 30 business days. There is normally no need for premeium processing because you may legally work for up to 180 days beyond the expiration of your OPT, while the STEM OPT application is pending.

Requirements during your STEM OPT Extension:

  • When you receive your new EAD (OPT card), please send a copy to your DSO by email or Gustavus Secure Share.
  • You must report any changes in your name and mailing address or physical address, to your DSO, within 10 days.
  • You must report if you stop working for your employer, or start working for a new qualifying employer, to your DSO, within 10 days.
  • If there has been a material change to the Training Plan described on Form I-983, you and your employer must complete and submit a modified Form I-983 to your DSO, at the earliest available opportunity.
  • Every six months you must submit a “validation report”.
    • You may use the Gustavus STEM OPT Validation Report.
    • Provide your name, current address, employer’s name and address, and the status of your current employment, even if there have been no changes..
    • You must do this 6 months, 12 months and 18 months after your STEM OPT employment start date. 
  • Every 12 months you must submit a self-evaluation.
    • Complete page 5 of Form I-983 and send to your DSO (Jeff Anderson).
    • You must do this 12 months and 24 months after your STEM OPT employment start date.
  • If your employment is terminated or you leave your employment, your employer must report that to your DSO, within five business days.
  • Notify your DSO if you decide to permanently depart from the U.S. during your OPT or if you change your visa status during your OPT.
  • Failure to follow the reporting requirements can result in the termination of your SEVIS record and loss of your F-1 status.
  • There is a limit on the amount of time that you can be unemployed during your period of OPT.
    • The limit is 90 days for your initial 12 months of OPT.
    • STEM OPT students get an additional 60 days of unemployment during the 24 month STEM OPT period.
    • Therefore, you are allowed a maximum of 150 days of unemployment during your OPT and STEM OPT.
  • You may travel outside of the U.S. during your STEM OPT extension and return, if you have:
     * Your passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond entry)
     * Your valid F-1 visa (if expired, renew at a U.S. Consulate before return to the U.S.)
     * Your current I-20 (signed by your DSO within the last 6 months)
     * Your current Employment Authorization Document (EAD / OPT card)
     * Documentation to show you are employed by the qualified employer that you reported to your DSO to enter in SEVIS.