Douglas Olsen
F-1 students with a STEM degree can apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. However, to be eligible, students must be employed by an employer enrolled in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Students must also meet other requirements, such as having a paid job offer of at least 20 hours per week that is directly related to their degree.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for OPT extension? | F-1 students with a STEM degree |
| When can students apply for OPT extension? | During an active period of Post-Completion OPT |
| How long can students extend their OPT? | 24 months |
| What are the requirements for OPT extension? | Students must be employed by an E-Verify employer, work at least 20 hours per week, and the job must be directly related to their degree program. |
| What is E-Verify? | An Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. |
| What is Form I-765? | Application for Employment Authorization |
| When should students submit Form I-765? | Up to 90 days before their current OPT employment authorization expires and within 60 days of the DSO entering the recommendation for OPT into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record. |
| What happens if the OPT period expires while the extension application is pending? | USCIS will automatically extend the student's employment authorization for 180 days. |
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What You'll Learn
STEM OPT extension requirements
The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field. The following are the requirements for the STEM OPT extension:
- Degree Type and Accreditation: The student must have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a school accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency. The school must also be certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) at the time of the STEM OPT extension application submission.
- Qualifying STEM Degree: The student's degree must be included in the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) STEM Designated Degree Program List. This list includes fields such as engineering, biological sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences, as well as related fields.
- Employment Eligibility: The student must be employed by an employer who is enrolled in and using the USCIS E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. The employer must also provide a bona fide employer-employee relationship and ensure that the student's training opportunity assists in attaining their training goals.
- Training Plan: The employer must complete Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, which outlines the training opportunity and its direct relationship to the student's STEM degree. The employer must also implement a formal training program to build on the student's academic learning through practical experience.
- Work Hours and Compensation: The employer must guarantee that the student will complete a minimum of 20 hours of work per week and provide compensation commensurate with that provided to similarly situated U.S. workers.
- Reporting Requirements: Both the student and employer have reporting obligations. The student must report to their Designated School Official (DSO) every six months to confirm their information, including their legal name. The employer must report any changes in the student's employment, including termination, to the DSO within five business days.
- Site Visits: DHS may conduct site visits to ensure that the employer possesses and maintains the ability and resources to provide structured and guided work-based learning experiences.
It is important to note that students may not apply for STEM OPT extensions during the 60-day grace period following an initial (usually 12-month) period of post-completion OPT. Additionally, students can participate in the STEM OPT extension twice over their academic career, provided they earn a second qualifying degree at a higher education level.
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E-Verify for international students
F-1 students with a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields can apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization. To be eligible, students must be employed by an employer enrolled in E-Verify, a system that helps employers determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration. It consists of a four-to-seven-digit company identification number. Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify to qualify for STEM OPT, and they must remain in good standing with the program as determined by USCIS.
Students must indicate their employer's E-Verify number on their Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, which should be submitted up to 90 days before their current OPT employment authorization expires. Students can obtain up to two STEM extensions, provided that the second extension is for a higher-qualifying degree.
It is important to note that working in the United States without authorization can result in serious consequences, including removal from the country and re-entry bars. Therefore, students must ensure they comply with all requirements for maintaining their student status and work authorization.
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Employment eligibility
For international students on an OPT extension, particularly those in STEM fields, maintaining employment eligibility is crucial. This involves adhering to specific guidelines and ensuring that both the student and their employer meet the necessary criteria.
Firstly, students must ensure that their employer is enrolled in the E-Verify program. E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows employers to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. It is managed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration. All employers of STEM OPT students must be enrolled in E-Verify and maintain good standing with the program.
Additionally, the employment offered to the student must meet certain requirements. It must be directly related to the student's degree and field of study, and it must be a paid position offering at least 20 hours of work per week. The position should also provide formal training and learning objectives that align with the student's STEM degree.
To maintain their employment eligibility, students must also adhere to reporting requirements. They must promptly report any changes in employment, including starting a new job or changing employers, within a specified timeframe, typically 10 days. Additionally, students must report periods of employment and unemployment while authorized for STEM OPT. Failure to comply with these reporting obligations can jeopardize their F-1 status and future immigration benefits.
It is important to note that working without authorization can result in serious consequences, including removal from the country and restrictions on re-entry. Therefore, students must carefully follow the guidelines and maintain their employment eligibility throughout their OPT extension period.
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OPT extension application process
The OPT extension application process is for international students with F-1 status who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. These students may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization.
Firstly, students must be employed by an employer who is enrolled in and using E-Verify. The employer must also have a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS for tax purposes. The employer must implement a formal training program to build on the student's academic learning through practical experience.
To apply, students must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, up to 90 days before their current OPT employment authorization expires. This must be submitted within 60 days of the date the designated school official (DSO) enters the recommendation for OPT into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record. Students must also submit:
- Their employer’s E-Verify Company Identification Number or valid E-Verify Client Company Identification Number.
- Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, endorsed by the DSO within the last 60 days.
- A copy of their STEM degree.
Students must be physically present in the United States when their application is received by USCIS. If the OPT extension application is submitted on time, and the OPT period expires while the extension application is pending, the student's employment authorization will be automatically extended by 180 days.
Students must also remember that photos submitted to USCIS must be unmounted and unretouched.
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OPT extension job requirements
Students with F-1 status who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. To be eligible, students must:
- Be employed by an employer who is enrolled in and is using E-Verify.
- Have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree.
- Have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a school that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency and is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) at the time of submitting the STEM OPT extension application.
Additionally, students must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, up to 90 days before their current OPT employment authorization expires and within 60 days of the date their designated school official (DSO) enters the recommendation for OPT into their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record. The following documents must also be submitted:
- The employer's E-Verify Company Identification Number or valid E-Verify Client Company Identification Number.
- Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, endorsed by the DSO within the last 60 days.
- A copy of the STEM degree.
If the STEM OPT extension application is filed on time and the OPT period expires while the extension application is pending, the employment authorization will be automatically extended for 180 days. During this time, students must meet the job requirements for STEM OPT, including working for an E-Verify employer. Students must also comply with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employment and reporting requirements, which include reporting all changes of address and periods of employment and unemployment.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you are an international student applying for an OPT extension, you must be employed by an E-Verify employer.
E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
You can find an E-Verify employer by using the online E-Verify Employer Search Tool.
