STEM OPT Extension | University of Minnesota Morris

STEM OPT Extension | University of Minnesota Morris STEM OPT Extension 24-Month STEM OPT Extension The 12-month period of post-completion OPT can be extended by 24 months for certain science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degree holders. First, find the program of study and major printed on your I-20. Then, compare it to the STEM Designated Degree Program List from the Department of Homeland Security's website to determine if your field and CIP Code are included in the list. Students may be eligible for up to two separate STEM OPT extensions over the course of their academic career upon completion of two qualifying STEM degrees at different educational levels, (for example, bachelors and then masters). Helpful Links Study in the States STEM Hub USCIS Information E-Verify Employer Search STEM OPT Eligibility Below is information about basic eligibility requirements for STEM OPT Expand all Your Qualifications To apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, you must: Have obtained a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. educational institution. Have obtained a degree in a field on the Department of Homeland Security STEM Designated Degree Program List. Have a job or job offer that is directly related to your STEM degree. Be currently authorized for post-completion OPT. Have accumulated no more than 90 days of unemployment during the initial 12-month period of OPT. You are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment while on STEM OPT (equalling up to a total of 150 days while on OPT or STEM OPT). If you fail to report employment to ISSS, this time may be counted as unemployment. Have no more than one previous STEM OPT authorization. Employment Qualifications Your employment must meet the following requirements: Employment must be at least 20 hours per week. Employment must be paid. You may have multiple employers, but you must complete a new I-983 for each employer. Employment must be at least 20 hours per week with each employer. You must keep written documentation of all employment for your records. Employer Qualifications Some of the requirements for your employer are different for STEM OPT than OPT. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify You cannot be employed through a contractual relationship, self-employment, an agency, or consulting firm (review the information below regarding arrangements with staff/temporary agencies ). Your employer will be required to attest: The company has sufficient resources and personnel available to provide appropriate training. The company is not replacing a U.S. worker (full-time or part-time, temporary or permanent). This employment opportunity will help you in reaching your training goals. If you have multiple employers, each employer must fulfill the STEM OPT requirements for employment. STEM OPT Application Process About 6 months into your OPT, IF your major is STEM eligible as defined by the STEM Designated Degree Program List from the Department of Homeland Security, ask your employer if they would support you in extending your employment through the STEM OPT application process, (your P/DSO at UMN Morris will also be an important part of this process). Application Timeline: You can submit your request for a STEM OPT I-20 to ISP staff up to 100 days before your current Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expires. You must submit your application to USCIS: No more than 90 days before your current EAD expiration date, but No later than your current EAD expiration date You must wait to receive your updated I-20 from ISP staff before submitting your application to USCIS. You must include a copy of the new STEM OPT I-20 with your USCIS application materials. USCIS will reject your application if you do not include the new I-20 with ISSS’s STEM OPT recommendation. Application Process You have the option to either submit your application to USCIS online or on paper. Steps 3 and 4 include directions for both applying online and by mail. You will only need to follow the appropriate directions for your choice. USCIS offers Premium Processing (faster service) for OPT and STEM OPT applications. Expand all 1.First Meeting with ISP Staff: Meet over zoom with an ISP staff member who is an authorized DSO The ISP staff member and authorized DSO, will walk you through the entire application process. This first meeting is about educating the international alumni about what documents they will need to prepare on their own and with their employer which includes: A NEW I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation (which you get from meeting with ISP staff, after you provide information needed for SEVIS reporting) Funds available to pay the Filing Fee for the I-765 One passport-style color photo (jpg, jpeg, or png) taken within 30 days of filing your application. You can get photos taken at the ACE Office or the Stevens County District Court in Morris. The completion of a I-983 Training Plan with their employer Your most recent I-94 Number & Travel Record Your most recent EAD Card The biographical page of your passport Your UMN diploma and final transcript Institution accreditation (which will be provided by ISP staff upon a meeting) 2.Second Meeting with ISP Staff: Meet over zoom with an ISP staff member who is an authorized DSO Come prepared with the completed documents outlined in the first meeting. ISP staff will need to get a copy of your documents for the office. ISP staff will review the completed I-983 Training Plan , and create the  NEW I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation. During the meeting you will create a MyUSCIS online account. Complete all pages of Form I-765 online. Upon completion, keep a copy for your records, and ISP staff will also need a copy.  Do not submit until you have the STEM OPT I-20. 3.Submit the STEM OPT Application to USCIS If you wish to submit your application online (which ISP staff recommends) Login to your MyUSCIS Account , complete the online I-765, upload all relevant documents listed on Step 1, and pay the filing fee. After your payment is accepted, you will be redirected to a confirmation screen which will include your receipt number. Keep a copy of your receipt number for your records. You can track the status of your STEM OPT application through your myUSCIS online account. 4.Wait for EAD to Be Mailed From USCIS Whether you applied online or by mail, you will receive the EAD (Employment Authorization Document) by mail. If you applied online, you will receive updates from USCIS by email or text. It takes approximately 3.5 to 4 months for USCIS to process your request and mail your EAD to the address on Form I-765. USCIS has an online database showing the current processing times for I-765 (OPT) applications (select select "I-765" and "Potomac Service Center" in the drop-down). Several weeks after you apply, you should receive a Receipt Notice (Form I-797) in the mail from USCIS. Keep this until you receive the EAD card and the Approval Notice. You can track your case by entering the Receipt Number found on your Receipt Notice. Applicants who file a timely application can continue employment while the STEM extension application is pending, until a final decision on the I-765 or for 180 days, whichever comes first The EAD will reflect the dates of your employment authorization Note: If you receive a Request For Evidence (RFE) from USCIS, contact ISP staff as soon as possible. Reporting Requirements You are responsible for meeting all of the STEM OPT reporting requirements The SEVP Portal will display a STEM Student Due Date Announcement box above other portal pages. The box displays: Your reporting schedule, so you know when your reports and evaluations are due. Status of your reports and evaluations Use the STEM Student Due Date Announcement box as a tool to remember when you are due to report. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to ensure all STEM OPT employment reporting is completed on time. Expand all Submit your STEM OPT EAD to ISP Upon receipt of your STEM OPT EAD card, you must submit a copy of your new EAD to ISP staff. Six-Month Validation Reports Submit the STEM OPT Validation Report & Self Evaluation Every six months, you must submit a report to ISP staff to confirm that the information in your record accurately reflects your current circumstance. SEVP Portal users will receive a reminder from DHS via email 30 days before any validation report is due. You must submit your validation report to ISSS no earlier than 30 days before and no later than 10 days after the 6, 12, 18, and 24-month dates from the start date of your 24-month STEM OPT. Annual Training Evaluations Submit the STEM OPT Validation Report & Self Evaluation You must complete two annual self-evaluations using page five of the Form I-983 Training Plan. The first evaluation must be completed 12 months after the start date on your STEM OPT EAD. Set up a meeting with ISP staff for guidance on this process. The final evaluation must be completed at the end of the 24-Month STEM OPT. Set up a meeting with ISP staff for guidance on this process. To be accepted, your Self Evaluations must be completed, fully signed, and dated by both you and your employer. If you leave your job or change to a different visa status prior to the end date on your STEM OPT EAD card, you must complete and submit a final evaluation on Form I-983 . For more information, review the "Report Employment Changes" dropdown. Report Employment Changes Submit the Changes to STEM OPT Employment Form You must submit a report to ISP staff within 10 days of any of the following changes: Change of employment (ending one job and starting a new one). End of employment (no new employment to report). Start of new employment (no previous employment to report ending). Report material changes to an existing Form I-983 (any changes to your training plan) If you decide to permanently depart the U.S. or change your visa status during your 24-Month STEM OPT, you should contact ISP staff. You should also be prepared to share the following documents to ISP staff: New Employer: You must upload a completed, signed, and dated I-983 for the new employer to the Changes to STEM OPT Employment form. End of Employment: You must upload a completed, signed, and dated final self-evaluation for the previous employer to ISP staff. Report Address Changes You must use the SEVP Portal to report any residential address and telephone number changes. You must also continue to update your address and phone number on MyU and with ISP staff, so the University can contact you. 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