Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac University

STEM OPT Extension for International Students

Last updated August 05, 2024

International Student Services | Policy or Regulation Information

The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension is an extension of post-completion OPT for up to 24 additional months available to F-1 international students with qualifying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and employment opportunities.

STEM OPT Eligibility 

To qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, you must: 

  • Be maintaining valid F-1 status 
  • Be currently working in a period of post-completion OPT and have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment 
  • Have completed a degree program in a qualifying STEM field. You can find the degree CIP code of your academic program in the “Program of Study” section of your I-20. 
  • Have paid, active employment or an offer of employment directly related to your STEM degree with an employer who uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Use this E-Verify tool to find participating employers. The employer must also have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and agree to certain requirements listed on the I-983 Training Plan, including following reporting requirements and allowing for potential site visits from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Self-employment and unpaid employment are not permitted for the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension.  
  • Secure a training experience for your employment that is at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employment is not permitted during the STEM OPT Extension. You may work more than one position, but each job must meet the requirements of the Extension and you must submit separate I-983s for each employment opportunity. Additionally, all employment opportunities on the STEM OPT Extension must be for at least 20 hours per week. Study in the States provides additional guidelines regarding multiple employers. 
  • Employment through staffing agencies may not be suitable for the STEM OPT Extension. USCIS states, “Staffing and temporary agencies and consulting firms may seek to employ students under the STEM OPT program, but only if they will be the entity that provides the practical training experience to the student and they have and maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student.” This means that your training and supervision must be provided by the employer completing your I-983 and cannot be delegated to the client or customer of the staffing agency. See USCIS STEM OPT Employer Requirements and Responsibilities for more information.  
  • You may be approved for up to two STEM OPT Extensions per lifetime. Each extension must be based on a separate period of post-completion OPT, and the second STEM OPT Extension must be based on a higher degree level than the first STEM Extension.  
  • Most students apply for a STEM Extension based on the degree used to obtain their current OPT. However, you may apply based on a prior STEM degree you obtained if it the major is eligible for the Extension and it was granted by an SEVP-approved institution within the past 10 years (consult with ISS). 

When to Apply 

USCIS will receive your application up to 90 days before your current post-completion OPT end date. Your application must be received within 60 days of the STEM OPT Recommendation I-20 issued by OISS. If your application is timely filed, yet pending approval when your current OPT expires, you may work for the STEM extension qualifying employer for up to 180 days while awaiting your new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. 

How to Apply

1

Prepare a fully completed and signed I-983 Form

The I-983 Form “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students” is a document which must be completed, signed, and dated jointly by the student and their E-Verify employer. The I-983 must clearly articulate the STEM OPT student’s learning objectives and affirm the employer’s commitment to helping the student achieve those objectives. STEM OPT students and their employers are subject to the terms and conditions of the 24-month STEM OPT extension regulations explained on the Form I-983, effective as of the employment start date requested for the associated STEM OPT period. 

2

Prepare the Required Documents

  • Completed  I-983 Form “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students”.  Only pages 1-4 must be completed for your initial application. Refer to the Instructions on the I-983 Form for tips on completing the form. In the “DSO Name and Contact Information” section, list your OISS advisor.  Please make sure that ALL fields are complete. 
  • Copy of Quinnipiac diploma or official transcript showing STEM degree completion. Visit the registrar transcript information to learn about requesting official transcript online.  
    • If STEM OPT Extension is not based on Quinnipiac degree: Copy of STEM diploma, conferred within last 10 years, and evidence that the institution is currently accredited in the U.S.  
  • A scan of the front and back of your current OPT EAD card. 
  • Most recent I-94 arrival record obtained at the CBP Website. 
3

Apply to OISS for the STEM OPT I-20

Submit your application through the ISS Portal to request a STEM OPT recommendation I-20, uploading the prepared documents. If you have any issues accessing the portal or STEM OPT Request Form, please email oiss@qu.edu. Be sure to fill out all fields and attach all documents listed on the form.     

After reviewing the STEM OPT Request, OISS will return to you the following: 

  • Updated Form I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation and STEM employer information on page 2 
  • STEM OPT Filing Checklist with instructions on required documents and how to submit your STEM OPT application with USCIS. We will provide you with a checklist and I-765 Online Filing Walkthrough Guide to with instructions to submit your application in the USCIS portal. 

Remember that to be eligible for STEM OPT, students must apply no earlier than 90 days prior to the end date of Post-Completion OPT, and no later than the end date of Post-Completion OPT. 

4

Submit your Application to USCIS

After receiving your documents from OISS, you can submit your application to USCIS to request an Employment Authorization Document. 

Submit your application online using the instructions that we will provide you with your updated Form I-20.  

IMPORTANT! Do not apply to USCIS until you receive the STEM OPT recommendation I-20 from OISS.  This I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation on Page 2 must be included in your application to USCIS. 

1

Track your Application After you File

Receive I-797 (Receipt Notice) 

Shortly after you submit the OPT application, your I-797 Receipt Notice will be available in the "My Cases" section. Download your Receipt Notice from the Documents tab and upload it to the ISS Portal by submitting a Document Upload Request in the Control Center. The I-797 Receipt Notice will also be mailed to your address.  

Carefully review the notice to make sure your name is spelled correctly and the correct mailing address is listed.  If it is not, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) number listed on your receipt notice immediately. 

Receive I-797 (Approval Notice) 

After processing your OPT application, USCIS will display a I-797 Approval Notice is your USCIS account and mail you an approval notice.  This is a notification on your application status, NOT your work authorization/permission. 

Receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) 

You will receive an EAD separately in the mail from USCIS. This is your proof of employment authorization. You may not start working until you receive your EAD and the start date becomes effective. EADs cannot be forwarded by the post office, so if you move or change your mailing address you MUST notify USCIS with the updated address for EAD mailing. 

After you receive your EAD card, take a photo of the front and back of the EAD card and upload it to the ISS Portal by submitting a Document Upload Request in the Control Center.  

Reporting Requirements 

Student Reporting Requirements 

While on STEM OPT Extension you must: 

  • Submit a copy of your EAD in the ISS Portal by submitting a Document Upload Request in the Control Center.  
  • Report your employer, or changes to your employment status, within 10 days to OISS by completing an OPT Employment Update in the ISS Portal each time your employment status changes.   
  • Maintain the I-983 Training Plan throughout your employment. If there are significant changes to the terms on the form, complete an updated I-983 with your current employer. If you receive a new employer, submit a new I-983 for each new employer. 
  • Submit a STEM OPT Validation Report in the every 6 months in the ISS Portal while on STEM OPT. 
  • I-983 Self-Evaluation: Every 12 months, submit to OISS a self-evaluation (p. 5 of the I-983), approved by your employer in the ISS Portal . The Evaluation on Student Progress (top of p. 5) is submitted with the 12 month STEM OPT Validation Report, and the Final Evaluation on Student Progress (bottom of p. 5) is submitted with the 24 month STEM OPT Validation Report. The Final Evaluation on Student Progress is also submitted if you depart from your position before reaching the 24 month STEM OPT Validation Report. 
  • Report changes in personal information within 10 days through the ISS Portal: 
    • Update U.S. and home country address changes via an Address Update Request 
    • Update U.S. phone number via a Phone Number Update Request 

Employer Reporting Requirements 

Your employer is responsible for maintaining an E-Verify number and using E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of its staff. 

Your employer must notify OISS within 5 days of your departure or termination from employment. To meet this reporting requirement, they may email oiss@qu.edu, or the DSO listed on the I-983 Training Plan. 

Your employer must be willing to complete the Evaluation of Student Progress and Final Evaluation of Student Progress at the 12 month point and upon departure from the employment, or 24 month point. 

 

Employment Changes  

Common employment situations can be tricky to report while on STEM OPT. Please use this guide, and remember to report all changes to OISS within 10 days: 

Pending STEM OPT Extension, Changing Employers: 

Complete the OPT Employment Update in the ISS Portal to report your new employer details. You will also tell us the last day working with your prior employer. If you never worked for the STEM OPT employer, tell us in the comment section of the form.

Upload the new I-983 (p. 1-4) completed by you and your new employer. 

OISS will issue an updated Form I-20 and send a copy to USCIS on your behalf to update your application. 

Pending STEM OPT Extension, Lost Employment, No New STEM OPT Employer: 

Complete the OPT Employment Update in the ISS Portal to report your loss of employment. Your SEVIS record will be updated accordingly. If you have lost the employment on which your STEM OPT application is based, and do not have an offer with a new qualifying employer, your STEM OPT application may be denied. 

Active STEM OPT, Employment Ending, No New Employment: 

Complete the OPT Employment Update in the ISS Portal to notify OISS that your employment is ending. Upload the Final Evaluation on Student Progress, Signed by Employer (p. 5 of I-983) 

Active STEM OPT, Employment Ending and Starting New Job: 

Complete the OPT Employment Update in the ISS Portal to report your new employer details. You will also tell us the last day working with your prior employer. 

Upload the Final Evaluation on Student Progress, Signed by Employer (p. 5 of I-983) reporting on your prior employment.  

Upload the new I-983 (p. 1-4) completed by you and your new employer. 

OISS will send you an updated I-20 with new employer details. 

Active STEM OPT, Adding Second or Multiple Employers: 

Complete the OPT Employment Update in the ISS Portal to report your new employer details. 

Upload the new I-983 (p. 1-4) completed by you and your new employer. 

Active STEM OPT, Same Employer but Changes to the Terms of Employment (i.e. work site change, change in duties, etc.): 

Complete the OPT Employment Update in the ISS Portal to report the changes to your current employment. 

Upload an updated or new I-983 (p. 1-4) reflecting the changes to the employment circumstances. 

STEM OPT Resources 

Additional Information