STEM OPT扩展

STEM OPT扩展 Overview

The STEM OPT扩展 is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 students to extend their original OPT to work in the U.S. for an additional two years to gain experience in a STEM field related to their major field of study.  Students apply for the STEM OPT扩展 through the United States Citizenship and Immigration 服务 (USCIS) and receive an Employment Authorization Document (or EAD card) that is valid for two years beyond their original OPT.  Saint Mary's continues to sponsor the F-1 student visa for the duration of the STEM OPT扩展.

STEM OPT资格

All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for the STEM OPT扩展 if they meet all of the following criteria:

• must be currently present in the U.S. on an F-1 visa and actively participating in regular OPT
• must have a degree in a STEM field from an accredited institution in the U.S.
• must be employed with an employer that is enrolled in the e - verify系统 employment eligibility verification system

何时申请 

A complete STEM OPT扩展 application must be submitted to USCIS no sooner than 90 days before the original OPT结束日期 as listed on the EAD card and no later than the original OPT结束日期 as listed on the EAD card.  If USCIS receives the application after this date, the application will be denied with no option for appeal, and the STEM Extension opportunity will be forefited.

First day to submit an application: 90 days before OPT结束日期
Last day to submit an application: OPT结束日期

Once USCIS receives the application for STEM OPT扩展, the current OPT will be extended for 180 days to allow for the new EAD card to arrive.  Students do not need to stop working while waiting for the STEM OPT application to be approved unless the application takes longer than 180 to adjudicate.

Form I-983: Training Plan for STEM OPT Students

All students applying for the STEM OPT扩展 must complete a Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students with their employer before they can be recommended for the STEM OPT扩展 and issued a new STEM OPT I-20. 

雇主的信息 & e - verify系统数量

You must be employed in the STEM field with an employer that is enrolled in the e - verify系统 program.  You will need to list your employer's name and e - verify系统 Company Identification Number on the Form I-765 application in order to apply for the OPT STEM Extension.  Be sure to ask your employer for their e - verify系统 information while you are completing the I-983 Training Plan.  For more information about e - verify系统, please visit their website.

如何申请

The Center for International Programs will provide support to students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT).  然而, it is the responsibility of the student to make sure that they have read, 理解, and followed all application instructions and filing deadlines and procedures.  The Center for International Programs does not assume responsibility for improperly filed applications nor can we guarantee that applications will be approved.

Step 1: Complete a Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students

• Must include the employer's e - verify系统数量
• Return the completed and signed form to the Center for International Programs
• Form I-983: Training Plan for STEM OPT Students

Step 2: Request a STEM OPT I-20 from the Center for International Programs

• Your application will be denied if you apply for the STEM OPT扩展 without a new I-20 endorsed for STEM OPT
• STEM OPT I-20 is valid for 60 days
• USCIS must receive the STEM OPT application before the OPT I-20 expires or else the application will be denied
• STEM OPT I-20申请表

Step 3: Submit an online application to USCIS

• Log into your online USCIS account
• 应用程序 fee is $470 USD
• Read the instructions for the I-765 carefully
• Be sure to include all required documents
• 应用程序 must be received by USCIS before the original OPT结束日期

第四步:等待90 - 120天 

• Original OPT is extended for an additional 180 days
• Check the status of the application on the USCIS website by clicking "Check Case Status" or by logging into your USCIS account
• 一旦获得批准, USCIS will send the EAD card

应用程序 & 所需文件 

• 填妥的I-765表格
• Digital copy of STEM OPT I-20 from the Center for International Programs
• Digital copy of front and back of current OPT EAD card
• Official transcripts from Saint Mary's College showing completion of STEM degree
  • Request official transcripts from the 注册商's Office at the Moraga Campus
• Digital copy of biographical page of passport
• I-94的数字副本 
• 一份美国文件的数字副本.S. 护照尺寸的照片
• Credit or debit card for the application fee ($470 USD)
  • 需要一个U.S.-based credit or debit card to make payment online
• Digital copy of I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students

从事STEM OPT工作

Students may continue working in the U.S. on their original OPT for up to 180 days after filing the STEM Extension with USCIS, and students must be employed with the employer listed on their I-983 Training Plan when the STEM OPT 应用程序 is approved.  All employment must be directly related to the student's degree/field of study and be appropriate for their degree level.  To maintain valid F-1 status, STEM OPT employment must meet the following criteria:

• Must be at least 20 hours per week per employer, but can be more
• 一定是带薪职位吗
• Must be a position/field directly related to STEM
• Must be a position/field directly related to the student's major
• Must be a position that is appropriate for the student's degree level
• Must be employed by an E-Verifiy employer
• Must meet check in requirements & submit self evaluations to the Center for International Programs
• 不能自雇

Saint Mary's will continue to sponsor the F-1 visa for the duration of STEM OPT.  This is important to mention to employers when interviewing and talking about your eligibility to work in the U.S.  Because Saint Mary's continues to sponsor F-1 visas during STEM OPT, it is important that the following information is reported to the Center for International Programs within 10 calendar days of the change:

• 更换雇主
  • Requires a new Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students
  • Must be employed by an e - verify系统 employer
• 额外的雇主
  • Requires a new Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students
  • Must be employed by an e - verify系统 employer
• 本地U的变化.S. 地址或外国地址
• Plans to end STEM OPT early and depart the U.S.

办理登机手续的要求

To maintain their F-1 status, all students working on the STEM OPT扩展 must maintain regular communication with the Center for International Programs as the sponsor of their visa.  These requirements include checking in every 6 months to verify that the personal and employment information listed in SEVIS is accurate and up to date.  Students must also complete 2 self evaluations, one at the end of the first year of the STEM OPT扩展 and one after the second year.  These evaluations are found on the last page of the Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students.

• Verify accuracy of employment and personal information with the Center for International Programs every 6 months
• Must complete and sign the Evaluation on Student Progress section of the Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students after first year of STEM OPT
• Must complete and sign the Final Evaluation on Student Progress section of the Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students upon completion of STEM OPT
• SMC STEM OPT签到表

就业的选择

• 定期受薪工作
• 实习
• Consulting or contract work

Students participating in the STEM OPT扩展 may have multiple employers during their period of work authorization, but may only work for employers who are enrolled in the e - verify系统 system.  对于每个新雇主, the student must complete a Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students with their employer and include the new employer's e - verify系统数量, and send the completed form to the Center for International Programs for approval.  一旦获得批准, the Center for International Programs will update the student's SEVIS record with the new employment information.  Students cannot be self employed during the STEM OPT扩展.

失业

Students on the STEM OPT扩展 may not accrue more than 150 days of unemployment during the total time spent on OPT, including time spent on original OPT and the OPT STEM Extension.

重要的提醒

• Don't forget to sign all of your I-20's
• If applying via mail, DO NOT mail cash - only a check or a money order
• DO NOT submit online or mail the application if the OPT I-20 is expired - the application will be denied!
• Once the application is submitted online or mailed, the OPT Start Date cannot be changed
• Send a copy of your EAD card & approval notice to the Center for International Programs