STEM OPT Information & Links
STAPLING OR CLIPPING YOUR APPLICATION WILL DELAY PROCESSING.
In spring 2008, Immigration created a new aspect to regular Optional Practical Training (OPT) called STEM. Students on F-1 visas who are on OPT after their degree and their most recent degree was in a STEM field can apply to extend their OPT for an additional 17 months.
To qualify for STEM OPT, you must meet all of the following requirements. No exceptions can be made.
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You must be on regular OPT.
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You must have your diploma or a transcript indicating that your degree has been awarded.
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You must be working for an e-Verify employer for at least 20 hours per week.
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You must submit your application to ISSS 120 days in advance of your current OPT's expiration.
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You must have a passport valid for at least six months into the future.
To receive an ISSS endorsement for STEM OPT, please present the following items to ISSS. Be sure to leave NO BLANK SPACES ON YOUR PAPERWORK. If something does not apply to you, please write "N/A" (not-applicable). All paperwork should be submitted on 8.5" x 11" paper and copies of documents should not be enlarged.
- Request for STEM OPT Form -- filled out online; handwritten forms not accepted
- I-20s
Please submit photocopies of ALL forms issued to you.
- Copies from Your Passport
The page with your photo/biographical information (if separate, also the page with the passport expiration date), your most current visa stamp and BOTH sides of your I-94. No separate pages with address information should be included.
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I-765 Form
This form must be filled out online; handwritten forms will not be accepted. Your U.S. home address must be used. If you think you may be moving, you can give another reliable mailing address because government mail cannot be forwarded under any circumstances. In section 17, you must enter the CIP code for your major. Click on the link next to the blank to be taken to an online list.
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Copy of Diploma or Transcript
NOTE: It is not possible to have your GPD, another individual from your department or the Registrar write a letter to state that you have fulfilled the requirements of your degree and only need to go through the formality of having it awarded.
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Copy of Regular OPT EAD Card
It is only necessary to copy the front of the card.
- Check
It should be made out to "U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services" in the amount of $340. Write "STEM OPT" in the memo section, along with your SEVIS ID number. We cannot accept money orders.
- Two (2) pictures - On the back, write your name and SEVIS ID number. Immigration will reject any pictures not meeting the following requirements:
- frontal picture with full head
- height of head should be 1 inch to 1⅜ inches
- eyes should be between 1⅛ inches and 1⅜ inches
- no shadows, marks, splotches, or discolorations
- white or off-white background (not gray)
Once your application is processed by ISSS (approximately 10 business days), you will get a new I-20 with the new dates on the last page. An e-mail will be sent to you with instructions on how to submit your application to Immigration. Should you not be able to come yourself, you may appoint a friend by replying to our e-mail with his/her name. S/He must have a photo ID. If Immigration approves your STEM OPT request, you will be sent a new EAD ("OPT card").
Application Status Checks
Status checks cannot be done in person or over the phone--no exceptions. E-mail requests will be responded to as quickly as possible and only once the 10-business day processing time has been completed. Please know that we are processing your paperwork as very quickly as possible.
Holds
Be sure to have removed all Accounts Receivable and library/parking fine holds from your record (i.e. on LeoOnline) before submitting your paperwork. If an e-mail is sent to you about a hold, please respond in a timely manner to ensure processing can continue.
Travel on STEM OPT
You must have your STEM EAD before leaving the United States if you wish to re-enter as Immigration has specifically prohibited travel outside the U.S. while a STEM application is pending. After you have your card, you will need to bring a letter from your employer to verify your employment and their awareness of your STEM expiration date; it is also advisable to bring your three most recent pay stubs.
New Visa
STEM OPT is a very new Immigration benefit so we can't say for sure how difficult or easy obtaining a new visa may be. Be sure to have all of the documentation as described in the travel section above and on the Travel Reminders.
Address Update Requirement
Immigration regulations require those on STEM OPT keep their address updated. Please see the Address Requirements section on the FORMS page of our site for links to the three address updates forms.
Maintain Contact with ODU
In addition to the regular OPT employment updates, Immigration requires that STEM OPT participants officially make contact with their university to verify their activities every six months and at the end of your STEM to inform us of your post-OPT plans. This can be done by sending ISSS an e-mail with STEM OPT #1 Update, STEM OPT #2 and STEM OPT #3 Update in the subject line. In the e-mail, please confirm your company name, company location, supervisor name, supervisor contact and your job title. These updates are redundant with the regular OPT updates but currently mandated by Immigration law.
School Transfer
Your STEM OPT becomes invalid if you transfer to a school different than the one on your OPT I-20. If you do not use your entire authorization, you must contact the immigration service center that has jurisdiction over the city in which you live. The international student advisor at your new school can help you with that information.
Degree-Seeking Status
You may take one or two classes as a NON-DEGREE student while on STEM OPT, provided that it is incidental to your current job; it is fine to take classes that would help your performance in your work. Should you choose to become a degree-seeking student, your OPT is cancelled. If you do not use your entire authorization, you must contact the immigration service center which has jurisdiction over the city in which you live. The international student advisor at your new school can help you with that information.
Unemployment
Under new regular OPT rules, you can be unemployed for a maximum of 90 days. An additional 30 days is allowed for STEM, making a total of 120. Please remember that even periods of unemployment must be submitted to the OPT Employment Update form.
Insurance
Proof of insurance is not required for students participating in STEM OPT but you are still eligible for student health insurance as an F-1 visa holder.
Employer Information
Information about how you should or should not be taxed can be found IRS Publication 519. Also, we have created a brochure specifically for employers who are not as familiar with OPT and employment of F-1 visa holders.
