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Optional Practical Training Extension (STEM OPT)

Overview

In May 2016, DHS announced that students who are participating in post-completion OPT may be eligible for a 24-month extension. If students earned a degree in pre-approved science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, students could apply for the STEM OPT extension.

WUST is compelled to follow all SEVP and DHS regulations regarding OPT and the STEM extension.

Student Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for STEM OPT students must:

Currently authorized for 12 months OPT and have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment.
Must be employed or have a job offer from an employer who is E-verified.
Have graduated from an eligible STEM program.

When to Apply

Eligible students are recommended to apply and file for STEM Extension no earlier than 90 days prior to their OPT end date.

Note: USCIS must receive your application before the expiration date of your OPT

Application Procedure

To apply for the OPT STEM extension, students must complete the following:

Complete the OPT STEM Request Form available on our website.

To complete the form, you will need to collect and upload the following documents:

Copy of your Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months).
Copy of your EAD card, front and back.
Copy of your most recent I-94.
Copy of your most recent F-1 Visa page or F1 status approval letter.
All previous CPT I-20s from your current program level (if any), uploaded in a pdf format.
An official transcript from WUST and a copy of your Diploma.
All previous I-20s from the current program level.
Completed Form I-983 and offer letter from your employer.

Please remember that the offer letter must be on the company’s letterhead, must have a brief description of the job performed or list of responsibilities, and must be signed by your supervisor/employer.

Electronic passport style photo (2-inch x 2-inch with a white background). Make sure your photo is approved on this link. Must be uploaded in a JPG or PNG.

Once the application has been reviewed and approved by the OPT/STEM OPT Review Committee, the I-20 with the STEM Extension will be issued by a DSO

You will be required to pay the $180 processing fee through the accounting office before approval.

Once you have the I-20 with the recommendation for OPT STEM Extension, you will be ready to submit your application online with USCIS.

Please remember that you cannot submit your application to USCIS before receiving this I-20.
You must also sign and date this I-20 before submitting the application.
The application must be received by USCIS within 60 days of the issuance of the I-20 and before your OPT end date.

To submit your I-765 online you must:

Create an online account with USCIS.
Choose the “Application for Employment Authorization (I-765)” Form.
Choose “Post-Completion OPT – (c)(3)(c)”.
Select “Initial permission to accept employment”.
Follow instructions and complete the form.

OPT STEM Extension Request Fees:

$180 Application fee paid to WUST.
$470 Application fee paid to USCIS.

While your STEM OPT application is pending:

Track your case frequently by singing to your USCIS account.
If you receive “Request for Evidence (RFE)” from USCIS that requires documents directly from WUST, you must submit the RFE request.
If you are mailing address changes, immediately update your address through your USCIS account and by submitting the Update Contact Information request form.

Approval of STEM OPT:

Once you receive the approval of the STEM Extension and the EAD card, students can request an updated I-20 by submitting the I-20 request.

IMPORTANT! Students must report all employment and any employment changes to WUST within 10 days of the change by submitting the OPT - Student Employment Verification request.

STEM OPT Data Validation Reports

Students who have been approved for the STEM Extension will be required to report STEM OPT participation every 6 months from their STEM OPT Start Date. You can do so by filling out the STEM OPT Data Validation Form.

Report Schedule

6 Months - Data Verification - to confirm your company's name and address. Ensuring work performed is the same.
12 Months - Evaluation of Student Progress Due (FORM I-983) Top section of page 5 should be completed.
18 Months - Data Verification - to confirm your company's name and address. Ensuring work performed is the same.
24 Months- Final Evaluation of Student Progress (FORM I-983) page 5 is due.

IMPORTANT! When changing STEM OPT employers or ending your employment early, you must submit a final evaluation using both sections on page 5 of the I-983 form. This is mandatory, regardless of how long you were employed by that company.

Important Things to Know

It may take up to 5 months or more for USCIS to process your OPT application.
As long as you have submitted the STEM application to USCIS on time, you can continue working for up to 180 days after the expiration of your OPT EAD.
Students who have been approved for the 24-month STEM Extension have an additional 60 days of unemployment.
If you need guidance on filling out the I-983 form, please visit Completing the Form I983.
Any questions or inquiries related to OPT, must be directed to [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Students applying for the 24-month extension must have a job offer in hand. This job offer must be paid, and the employer must have an E-Verify number.

Yes. Students can change their employer at any time. Any changes to employment must be reported to the university within 10 calendar days. To report a change in employment, please fill out the OPT/STEM OPT- Student Employment Verification.

When applying for STEM OPT, your start date will be the day after your OPT end date.

It is the program end date mentioned on your I-20. You can find this date on the first page of your I-20.

Yes, you can work more than one job at a time while on STEM OPT as long as you are working at least 20 hours per week.

WUST is certified to operate by SCHEV. Accredited by ACCSC.

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