STEM OPT

• Earliest USCIS Filing: Up to 90 days before your current post-completion EAD card expires.
• DSO Endorsement: At least 2 weeks prior to USCIS filing deadline.
• USCIS Filing Deadline: USCIS must receive your complete Form I-765 application before your current OPT EAD expires and within 60 days of the DSO’s STEM OPT recommendation in SEVIS.
• USCIS Processing Time: 4+ months
• Premium Processing: Available for an additional fee

You cannot apply for STEM OPT during the 60-day grace period after your initial post-completion OPT ends. You must meet both the current OPT EAD expiration deadline and the 60-day deadline following your DSO’s STEM OPT recommendation.

Before submitting your request, students must:

• Verify eligibility for the STEM OPT extension.
• Confirm that the employer is enrolled in E-Verify and meets STEM OPT requirements.
• Complete Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, with the employer.

Submit the STEM OPT DSO Endorsement and Request through the International Services Portal:

• No earlier than 90 days before your current OPT EAD expiration date
• At least 2 weeks before your applicable USCIS filing deadline

Required Documents:

• Completed Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students
• Employer information
• Any additional documents requested by International Services

If you are eligible for the STEM OPT extension, International Services will:

• Enter the STEM OPT recommendation in SEVIS.
• Issue a new Form I-20 showing the STEM OPT recommendation.
• Provide the STEM OPT-endorsed Form I-20 to you.

Important Filing Deadline:

• Your STEM OPT-endorsed Form I-20 has a 60-day filing period.
• USCIS must receive your Form I-765:
  • Within 60 days of the date your DSO enters the STEM OPT recommendation in SEVIS; and
  • Before your current post-completion OPT EAD expires.

Applications submitted after either deadline will be denied.

Students must upload the following documents when submitting Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to USCIS for the STEM OPT extension.

• 2” x 2” Photo — Your photo must meet USCIS standards
• Form I-94 — Provide your most recent Arrival Record — CBP I-94
• Passport — Provide your valid passport biographical page
• Employment Authorization Document — Provide your current post-completion OPT EAD card and any previously issued EAD cards
• Form I-20 — Upload your STEM OPT-endorsed Form I-20. Make sure the STEM OPT recommendation on page 2 is accurate and that you have signed page 1.
• College Degree — Upload your diploma, transcript, and STEM Letter (if issued by International Services)
• Institutional Accreditation — If you are applying for STEM OPT based on your most recent degree earned from Adelphi University, leave this section blank.
• Additional Information — Upload evidence of any previous CPT or OPT work authorizations, if applicable.

After receiving your OPT-endorsed Form I-20, submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with Form I-539, Application to Extend Nonimmigrant Status (if applicable) with USCIS along with all required documentation in accordance with form instructions, paying the required fee and providing required biometrics, before the expiration of the authorized period of admission expires.

Application Information:

• Where to File: myUSCIS
• Form: Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
• Eligibility Category: (c)(3)(C) — STEM Extension
• Instructions I-765 Instructions
• Filing Fee: $520 (subject to change) — USCIS Filing Fees
• Standard Processing Time: 4+ months — USCIS Processing Times
• Premium Processing: Available for an additional fee — Form I-907
• Biometrics / Interview: USCIS may require biometrics, such as fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature, or require an interview.

Start Your Application on USCIS

• Log in to your existing myUSCIS account or create a new account.
• Select File a Form Online
• Select Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization
• Complete all sections
• Upload required evidence
• Review your application
• Submit payment

Basis of Eligibility:

• Eligibility Category: (c)(3)(C) – STEM extension
• About your degree: Write your degree as stated on your official transcript
• Employer’s name as listed in E-Verify: Provide your employer details
• Employer’s E-Verify Number: Provide your employer details
• Premium Processing: Optional; additional fee applies

Reason for Applying:

• Reason for Applying: Renewal of Permission to Accept Employment
• Previously Filed Form I-765: Select “Yes”

Preparer and Interpreter Information:

• Is Someone Assisting You?: Answer as applicable

Your Name:

• Legal Name: Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Form I-20 and passport.
• Any Other Names: List any other names that appear on official records, if applicable.

Your Contact Information:

• Daytime Telephone Number: Enter your telephone number.
• Mobile Telephone Number: Enter your mobile number, if applicable.
• Email Address: Enter your university email address.
• Current U.S. Mailing Address: Enter a current and accurate U.S. mailing address where you can reliably receive mail.
• Is Your Mailing Address the Same as Your Physical Address?: Select Yes or No, as applicable.

Describe Yourself:

• Sex: Select as applicable.
• Marital Status: Select as applicable.

When and Where You Were Born:

• Country of BIrth: Enter as listed on your passport.
• Province of Birth: Enter as applicable.
• City,Town, Village of Birth: Enter as listed on your passport.
• Date of Birth: Enter in Month/Day/Year (MM/DD/YYYY) format.

Your Immigration Information:

• Citizenship: Enter the country of citizenship shown on your passport and immigration records.
• Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Number: Download your most recent I-94 and enter the current I-94 number.
• Date of Arrival: Use your most recent I-94 record.
• Place of Arrival: Use your most recent I-94 record.
• Status of Arrival: Use your most recent I-94 record.
• Passport Number: Enter your most recent passport number.
• Travel Document Number (if any): Leave blank unless you have a travel document number.
• Expiration Date of Passport: Enter the expiration date shown on your passport.
• Passport Issuance Country: Enter the country that issued your passport.
• Current Immigration Status: Select F-1 Student.
• SEVIS Number: Enter the SEVIS ID listed at the top of your Form I-20.

Other Information:

• A-Number: Enter your A-Number, if applicable. Otherwise, leave blank.
• USCIS Online Account Number: Enter your USCIS Online Account Number, if applicable.
• What is Your Social Security Number (SSN)?: Enter your SSN, if any.

Students who timely file a STEM OPT application before their current OPT EAD expires may continue working for their qualifying STEM OPT employer while the application is pending if:

1. The employment continues to meet all STEM OPT requirements; and
2. The student remains within the automatic 180-day extension of employment authorization.

If USCIS does not approve your STEM OPT application within the 180-day automatic extension period, your employment authorization ends and you must stop working until USCIS approves your STEM OPT application.

Students must work at least 20 hours per week per employer in qualifying paid employment with an employer enrolled in E-Verify.

Qualifying employment under STEM OPT must:

• Paid Employment: Be a paid position for at least 20 hours per week per employer.
• E-Verify Employer: Be with an employer enrolled in E-Verify.
• Employer-Employee Relationship: Maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship.
• Field of Study: Be directly related to the student’s qualifying STEM degree.
• Form I-983 Training Plan: Meet STEM OPT training requirements and be documented through a completed Form I-983.

Self-employment does not qualify for STEM OPT.

All employment must directly relate to your qualifying STEM academic degree and meet STEM OPT employer and training requirements.

Keep documentation showing your employment, including employer information, dates of employment, hours worked, Form I-983 records, and how the position relates to your STEM degree.

Students authorized for STEM OPT receive an additional 60 days of unemployment, in addition to the 90 days allowed during initial post-completion OPT.

Students may not accrue more than 150 days of unemployment combined during the post-completion OPT and STEM OPT authorization periods.

A student without qualifying employer information reported in SEVIS may be considered unemployed.

• 6-Month Validation: Confirm your U.S. address and employment information. If there are changes, submit an updated Form I-983 (Pages 1–4).
• 12-Month Evaluation: Submit the Evaluation on Student Progress, signed by both the student and employer.
• 18-Month Validation: Confirm your U.S. address and employment information. If there are changes, submit an updated Form I-983 (Pages 1–4).
• 24-Month Final Evaluation: Submit the Final Evaluation on Student Progress, signed by both the student and employer.
• Material Change: Submit an updated Form I-983 (Pages 1–4) when there are material changes to the training plan, such as changes to the employer EIN, compensation, hours per week, employer name, or employer address.
• End of Employment: Submit the Final Evaluation on Student Progress, signed by both the student and employer and reflecting the employment start and end dates.
• New or Additional Employer: Submit a new Form I-983 (Pages 1–4), signed by both the student and new employer.
• Departure from the U.S. / Early End of STEM OPT: Submit the Final Evaluation on Student Progress, signed by both the student and employer and reflecting the employment dates.
• Change of Immigration Status: After the new status is approved, submit the Final Evaluation on Student Progress, signed by both the student and employer and reflecting the employment dates, along with the Notification of Change in Visa or Enrollment Status request.

• Report applicable changes within 10 days.
• Submit required validation reports and evaluations at least 2 weeks before the applicable reporting deadline.

Failure to meet STEM OPT reporting requirements may affect your F-1 status and STEM OPT authorization.