What is STEM Optional Practical Training?

The STEM OPT extension allows for 24 months of additional OPT employment authorization for students in specific STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields. Employment must be directly related to an F-1 student’s program of study in an approved STEM field.

Read the information below and follow the outlined steps to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for STEM OPT, you must meet the following criteria:

• Hold valid F-1 status
• Be in a period of regular OPT following completion of a STEM degree. Under certain circumstances, if you earned a prior STEM degree from a currently accredited SEVP-certified school, you might be eligible for STEM OPT (see your F-1 advisor for details).
  • To verify STEM eligibility, look at your I-20 for the CIP code associated with your major field of study. Then look on the list of major fields that qualify for the 24-month STEM extension: DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List

Eligible Employment

• Position must be paid. Volunteer or unpaid positions are not acceptable.
• Job must be directly related to the STEM field of study listed on your I-20
  • FSU Eligible STEM Majors
• Job must be full-time (20 or more hours/week satisfies full-time requirement)
  • Possible exception to 20 hours/week or more requirement IF reduction in hours is due to economic impacts of COVID-19. Keep documentation from employer if this situation applies to you.
• Employer must have a valid EIN.
• Employer must be registered with E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Employer, in collaboration with you, must complete a Mentoring and Training Plan on a Form I-983. The form must show, among other things, that the employment is directly related to your STEM degree program. The employer has additional responsibilities associated with employment/training

Application Timeline

• USCIS cannot receive the application more than 90 days prior to expiration of current OPT.
• USCIS must receive the application before the expiration on the EAD issued for OPT.
• USCIS must receive your application no more than 60 days after your CGE advisor entered the STEM OPT recommendation into SEVIS.
• Authorization to work begins on the day after regular OPT ends, regardless of the date USCIS approves your STEM OPT application. It will end no later than 24 months after that date. With a timely-filed application, you may work for your E-verify employer while the extension application is pending, until adjudication or for 180 days.

Application Process (read all instructions before starting)

1. Required: Complete the CGE's Online STEM OPT Workshop.
   You are responsible for understanding the STEM OPT process and following the requirements to maintain your F-1 status while on STEM OPT. 
2. Submit Request for STEM OPT Recommendation:
   • Download and complete the forms listed below.
   • Log into Nole Start at https://istart.fsu.edu, go to F-1 Student Services, and choose "Submit Forms/Applications."
   • Select STEM OPT Request in the drop-down menu.
   • Complete the information and upload all the required forms. 
     DO NOT SUBMIT AN INCOMPLETE REQUEST OR YOU WILL DELAY PROCESSING! (You can save a draft if you upload some forms and need more time to complete the application.)  
     Do NOT file the online I-765 application with USCIS without the new STEM OPT I-20 your CGE advisor will create.

   These are the forms that you must download, complete, and have ready to upload:

   • STEM OPT Acknowledgment of Responsibilities 
   • Form I-983 completed and signed by your employer and you: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/i983.pdf.
     Instructions: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/i983Instructions.pdf
   • I-765 (draft – optional. and only if you want to print a draft of your online application for your CGE advisor to review). The form and instructions are on the USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
   • Instructions for Handling USCIS Mail (if using CGE address) 
3. While waiting for the CGE to process your request, you can prepare the following:
   • Copy of your most recent I-94: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home#section (or bottom section of I-797 if you changed status to F-1 and have not obtained an F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate)
   • Copy of your EAD card
   • Copy of your passport biographic data page
   • Proof of your STEM degree (copy of diploma or official/unofficial transcript)
   • 2 passport-style photos: Follow this example
4. After processing your request, your advisor will email you instructions and a new I-20 with the recommendation for STEM OPT
5. You can file the I-765 online with USCIS (recommended) or mail your complete application with a paper I-765 to the correct USCIS address, https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
6. USCIS will send an I-797 Receipt Notice to the address you used on your I-765
7. USCIS will send an I-797 Approval Notice and an Employment Authorization Document/EAD to the address you used on your I-765 (See USCIS processing times HERE)

Reporting Requirements and Other Responsibilities (VERY IMPORTANT)

• You must submit 6-months updates (even if there are no changes in employment or personal information), reporting them to the CGE using the online STEM OPT Reporting/I-983 Submission Form. Your CGE advisor will acknowledge the updates in SEVIS. Failure to submit the reports could result in termination of your F-1 status.
• You must complete two annual self-evaluation, one within 12 months of the STEM OPT start date and the second one at the end of STEM OPT (both part of the Form I-983). These are part of the 12-month and 24-month reports. Submit them through the online STEM OPT Reporting/I-983 Submission Form.
• You must report any material changes to the Form I-983 information by completing and submitting a new Form I-983 to the CGE through the STEM OPT Reporting/I-983 Submission Form. Changes include:
  • Change in employer
  • Any change of the employer's Employer Identification Number, resulting from a change in employer's ownership or structure.
  • Any reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked.
  • Any significant decrease in hours per week that a student engages in a STEM training opportunity.
  • Changes to the employer's commitments or student's learning objectives as documented on the I-983.
• You must report personal information changes (legal name, address or telephone) in the SEVP Portal that you created when USCIS approved your regular OPT.
• You must report loss of employment to your CGE advisor and submit a final evaluation through the STEM OPT Reporting/I-983 Submission Form.
• The unemployment limit is an additional 60 days during STEM OPT, for a total of 150 days for combined OPT and STEM OPT unemployment
• Notify your CGE advisor if you end STEM OPT and leave the U.S. or change status
• The employer has additional responsibilities associated with employing your through STEM OPT, as indicated on form I-983.

Resources

Study in the States STEM OPT Hub: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub

USCIS Information on OPT and the H-1B Cap Gap: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/extension-of-post-completion-optional-practical-training-opt-and-f-1-status-for-eligible-students

Check your Case Status Using your I-797 Receipt number: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do

STEM FAQ