STEM Extension OPT

Apply for and be approved for 12-month post-completion OPT
Qualifying STEM degree
Check your major’s CIP code listed on your I-20 and compare it to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program listing.
You may use an “unused” STEM degree earned in the U.S. within 10 years of the STEM OPT application.
STEM OPT is available twice in a student’s lifetime.

You and your employer must complete the STEM OPT training plan Form I-983.
Your employer must participate in USCIS’s E-Verify program.
Employment must be paid.
Employment must be directly related to the STEM major.
Work a minimum of 20 hours/week.
No self-employment or contract-based/third-party employment.
Multiple employers are allowed. All employers must be e-Verifed and complete the Form I-983. You must work 20 hrs/wk per position.

Earliest date to apply is 90 days before the expiration date of your 12-month post-completion OPT.
The latest date to apply is by the end date of your post-completion OPT (end date listed on EAD card). There is no grace period between the standard post-completion OPT and STEM OPT. The employment authorizations must be back-to-back and seamless.
USCIS must receive your STEM OPT application within 60 days of the DSO recommendation on the I-20 or by the end of the post-completion OPT (end date listed on the EAD card) – whichever comes first. 

You and the employer must complete the I-983 training plan. 

If you are employed at Penn State, you must also complete the Penn State Internal STEM form

Step-by-step instructions for completing the I-983 form can be found here.

Tips for Completing the I-983:

You do not need to complete page 5 of the I-983, but you should submit it with your STEM OPT I-20 request in iStart.
Your immediate supervisor and the "Employer Official with Signatory Authority" may be different individuals at your place of employment.
You and your employer can sign form I-983 electronically.
Complete the evaluation on student progress (top of page 5) at the 12-month anniversary of the STEM OPT start date (start date of the STEM OPT EAD card).
Complete the bottom of page 5 at the 24-month anniversary of the STEM OPT start date (end date of the STEM OPT EAD card) or at the end of your employment.
Complete a new I-983 training plan when you switch employers.
The I-983 is kept by your school, but you should always keep a copy as well.

As a Penn State graduate, request your I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation:
iStart > Employment Authorization Requests > STEM OPT

Note: 
When you are ready to apply for STEM OPT, you will be asked to pay a one-time $250 service fee through the STEM OPT form in iStart. This fee helps support the services ISSA provides during your STEM OPT period—when you're no longer paying tuition or fees. These services include issuing your STEM OPT I-20 and helping you meet the STEM OPT reporting requirements.


Submit form I-765, the signed I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation, and other required documents to USCIS online.
Check the current USCIS processing times for form I-765.
You must be in the U.S. when you submit form I-765.

Log into your online USCIS account
Complete the OPT application form I-765 - choosing (c)(3)(C) for the eligibility category
Note: You must be in the U.S. when you submit the I-765 to USCIS.

Be sure to have the following documents and information ready:

Processing fee for form I-765
Your employer’s E-Verify number
Your A-Number. This can be found on your OPT EAD card and is listed as the "USCIS Number"
Passport-style photo
Signed I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation on page 2 (make sure you have signed and dated on page 1)
I-20s with a previous SEVIS ID, if applicable
Copy of the F-1 visa in your passport (even if it is expired)
Copy of your passport photo page
Your most recent I-94 arrival record
Previous EAD card(s)
Evidence of the STEM degree that is the basis for the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension. (Your official transcript works to fulfill this requirement).
If you are seeking a STEM OPT extension based on a previously earned STEM degree, your official transcript or diploma should provide evidence that the institution is currently accredited and certified by SEVP. 

Note: Premium processing for STEM OPT, using form I-907, is available from USCIS at an additional cost. This is an optional upgrade to speed up the processing time with a guaranteed USCIS review window of 30 days.

You can continue to work for 180 days after the post-completion OPT EAD card end date if:
You submitted the STEM OPT application within the required timeframe, and
USCIS receives form I-765 before the OPT EAD card expiration date.
Once your OPT EAD card expires, you will need to renew your Form I-9 with your employer. It is recommended that you have your I-797 Notice of Receipt from your STEM OPT application, along with the other required documents, when you do so.

Report all employment and address changes within 10 days via the STEM OPT Reporting form in iStart to be in compliance with federal requirements.
Report your STEM OPT participation to ISSA every 6 months. See the Dept. of Homeland Security’s STEM HUB for more information about the reporting requirements.
At 12 months of STEM OPT, complete the 12-month self-evaluation (top portion of page 5 of form I-983).
At 24 months of STEM OPT or when you change employers, submit the final self-evaluation (bottom portion of page 5 of form I-983).
Update the STEM OPT training plan, Form I-983, with any material changes and submit it to ISSA via the STEM OPT Reporting form within 10 days. Examples of material changes include updated EIN, increase in salary, employer address.
If you change employers, you will need to submit a new Form I-983 training plan with your new employer and submit it to ISSA via the STEM OPT Reporting form in iStart. 
If you change employers, your former employer must notify ISSA that the employment has ended within 5 days from your last day of employment. Notices should be sent to ISSA@psu.edu and include your full name and birthdate.
Report any change in immigration status via the STEM OPT Reporting form in iStart. 
Note: If your Penn State access account is no longer active, you may need to use the “limited services access” link beneath the regular student log-in to gain access to iStart.
Do not exceed the number of unemployment days because your F-1 status and OPT authorization will no longer be valid. You have an additional 60 days of unemployment during the STEM OPT period plus any unused unemployment days from your 12-month OPT period, for a possible total of 150 days. 

Study in the States STEM OPT Hub
I-983 Instructions
I-983 Overview
I-983 - Info for Students
I-983 - Info for Employers
Penn State Internal STEM form - if employed at Penn State