F-1 OPT: STEM Extensions

Here’s what you need to qualify:

• You should maintain your valid F-1 status and be engaged in authorized post-completion OPT employment directly related to your field of study at the University of Rochester.
• You must have completed a qualified bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a STEM field within the past 10 years, as designated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• When requesting the STEM Extension recommendation, submit a completed and signed Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students to ISO.
• You need to be employed, or will be employed, by a qualified and responsible employer during the STEM Extension period.
• You shouldn’t have been authorized for two periods of STEM Extension OPT before.

This STEM Extension will only apply to current OPT authorizations that were originally approved as post-completion, either after completion of all degree requirements or all requirements excluding the thesis. Your initial 12-month OPT authorization period must still be active, and you shouldn’t have crossed the unemployment limit.

Students must have completed requirements for a degree-bearing program or have completed all requirements excluding the thesis if the current University of Rochester degree is the basis of the STEM application.

At the time the STEM Extension is recommended in SEVIS, the US institution that awarded your degree must maintain valid accreditation with the Department of Education and hold current certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). If it’s a previously earned degree, it should not be more than 10 years old from the date of the STEM recommendation.

Your major or program of study associated with the qualified STEM degree must appear on the government’s STEM Designated Degree Programs List, which is maintained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Check the major and related CIP Code by referencing the Form I-20 that was issued for your program of study. If you did not maintain F-1 status during that degree or cannot locate your I-20, you may need to contact the institution to confirm your STEM eligibility.

The Form I-983 Training Plan identifies what you will learn during your STEM training. It includes the skills, knowledge, and techniques you’ll gain and how you will achieve these goals through hands-on work. The plan must explain how the training is related to your STEM degree and describe how your employer will supervise and evaluate your performance. You need to fill out a new Form I-983 Training Plan for each new employer or job during your STEM Extension period.

For guidance on completing the Form I-983, please visit the DHS Study in the States resources (specifically, Form I-983 Instructions).

• In Section 1: In the “Designated School Official (DSO) Name and Contact Information” box please list the following link only: https://www.rochester.edu/iso/contact/.

• In Section 5: If your work during STEM OPT will be performed remotely from home, please use your home address in Section 5, Employer Site Information, Site Address. If you will engage in your training at multiple sites, you should list the physical location where you are receiving the majority of your training in Section 5. You and your employer may list information about the other site(s) of activity/location(s) in the Additional Remarks box in Section 5.

• Form I-983 Signatures: Electronic signatures are accepted, in lieu of wet signatures. In contrast, a typed name in a plain text field is not an acceptable signature. We will accept the below formats for electronic signatures:
  • A verified digital signature on the I-983 from the student and employer signatory. An example of a “verified digital signature” is a digital signature through DocuSign or Adobe software.
  • Electronically reproduced copies of a signature.

To request a STEM recommendation from the University, ISO must have a copy of your current post-completion OPT EAD and the Form I-983 Training Plan. Please complete the URCompass link below to submit your request:

Request for STEM OPT I-20

After you submit your forms, they will be forwarded to an ISO Advisor for review. The advisor will contact you if they have any questions or need you to make changes.

If your request is complete and accurate, the ISO advisor will issue a new I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation listed on page 2. You will be notified by email when the new I-20 is available within our standard processing time of two weeks. You must include a copy of this I-20 when sending your STEM OPT application to USCIS.

Collect the necessary application materials and submit the completed application to USCIS for processing. Please consult the ISO’s page on preparing and filing the I-765 for a list of required documents and instructions.

Applications for STEM OPT must be received by USCIS:

• No earlier than 90 days before your OPT End Date (as listed on your EAD)
• No later than your OPT end date (as listed on your EAD)
• Within 60 days of your STEM OPT recommendation
• While you are maintaining F-1 status in the United States

Applications received outside of the required timeline will likely be denied by USCIS. Please consult an ISO advisor if you have questions about your application.

Once you have your USCIS Receipt Number, you can use it to check your case status online while your application is pending. USCIS processing times vary, but often range from 1-5 months. During this time, you can expect the following:

• If applicable: Request for Evidence or other USCIS notice
• I-797 Approval Notice
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
• If applicable: Social Security Card

If you used a personal mailing address for your application, check your mail regularly.

The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) you receive by mail is your official proof of work authorization. The EAD will list your authorized employment dates. Employment is authorized ONLY for the dates listed and ONLY in your STEM field of study. The work permission granted under F-1 STEM Extension OPT is transferable to other qualified employers, provided all eligibility criteria and reporting requirements are met. You receive an additional 60 days of unemployment time once your STEM OPT begins.

During your STEM OPT period, you must continue to report all employment activities and address details to ISO within 10 days of any changes, as well as complete periodic reporting requirements every 6 months. Some of these reporting obligations require updates to your Form I-983 Training Plan as well. Please review your STEM OPT reporting responsibilities.