STEM Extension OPT: Basics International Student Services University of Washington Tacoma Last updated on March 28, 2018
Eligibility Criteria F-1 Student Status Have been lawfully enrolled on a full time basis in a SEVIS approved college, university, conservatory or seminary for one full academic year 8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(10) Currently on OPT Completed a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics STEM OPT Extension is valid for 24 months
General Rules for STEM OPT You must have a job with an E-Verify employer to apply for STEM OPT. All jobs must be paid and directly related to field of study. Students must submit Form I-983: Training Plan for STEM OPT Students to International Student Advisor before receiving STEM OPT Recommended I-20. Application is made to USCIS. STEM OPT is available per academic level. You do not need to have Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in hand to begin STEM OPT employment. Must keep in touch with ISSS during STEM OPT: Must report employment every 6 months Must update I-983 Training Plan every 12 months Must report address and employment information change within 10 days. Must work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) Self employment, internships, and volunteering are not allowed during STEM OPT.
Application Process Gather OPT application materials Complete the I-983 Training Plan form with your supervisor and submit it to your international student advisor Request STEM OPT Recommended I-20 from ISSS Mail application to USCIS Apply BEFORE your current EAD expires. You can apply up to 90 days before its expiration. You can continue to work for up to 180 days while the application is pending. ISSS is NOT going to remind you to apply for STEM extension.
International Travel Pending STEM OPT application: A valid passport A valid F-1 student visa OPT recommended I-20 (the travel signature is valid for only 6 months) Notice of Action (I-797c form) from USCIS regarding your I-765 application or at least case status number Current EAD Card Evidence of Employment Letter Approved STEM OPT application: ALL of the documents listed above, plus New EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card
STEM OPT Application Materials G-1145, E-notification of Application / Petition Acceptance I-765, Application For Employment Authorization (with a signature) A copy of valid passport ID page A print out of I-94 OR copy of I-94 card (front and back) Copies of all previously issued I-20s (no instruction pages) Copies of most recent F-1 student visa or approval notice Copies of all previously issued EAD cards (front and back) Copy of your STEM degree (unofficial transcript) Original proof of employment letter on company letterhead Two US Passport Style Photos Fee $410: G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transition OR Check or money order payable to US Department of Homeland Security Do not use staples! Black and White Copies only.
No I-94? Print it out! Download your I-94 Cannot find your I-94? Email the following information to: i94.correction.seattle@cbp.dhs.gov Your full name. Date you arrive to US. Which airline you used Which airport you used or which boarder you crossed. A copy of current I-20 A copy of passport A copy of visa
How to Fill Out I-765 for STEM Form I-765 - Application for Employment Authorization Please type, do NOT handwrite! Do NOT use all CAPS. Make sure to check the first box, "I am applying for...": Permission to accept employment If you are leaving anywhere blank, type N/A or None. Item 14: Use the 11 digit number from your I-94. Item 15: Check "yes" only if you have previously received an EAD card from USCIS. Use information from Notice of Action you received in your prior application.
How to Fill Out I-765, continued Item 16, 17, 18 and 19 Use the information from your I-94. If you have made a recent short trips to Canada or Mexico that should NOT be reflected in your current I-94. Item 16: (c) (3) (C) = this is the code for STEM OPT. Applicant s Signature Use a black ink pen to sign. Do NOT fill out nor sign the section, Signature of Person Preparing Form, If Other Than Applicant.
Correspondence Address Warning USCIS will send your Notice of Action and EAD card to you via U.S. postal mail. Make sure your full name appears on the mailbox of where you live currently. Thinking about moving within the next 3 months that you are corresponding with USCIS? US Postal Service will NOT forward government mails even if you file a forwarding address/change of address request Ask permission from your friend to use his/her address. OR Set up a P.O. Box (available for about $10/ month) Expect lost USCIS mail will be lost forever Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery if available for your address
Fee: $410: Payment Method G-1450 - Authorization for Credit Card Transactions Money Order, Certified Check, Cashier s Check OR Personal Check Personal checks are recommended Make them payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Write the following info on the Note/Memo section: For I-765 fee Your LAST NAME, First Name I-94 Number
What s Next? Check to make sure your employer is E-Verify Send your I-983 Training Plan to your International Student Advisor Request STEM OPT Recommended I-20 from ISSS
STEM OPT Recommended I-20 Sign and date two OPT I-20s in black ink. Keep one set of I-20 to yourself and include the other one to your OPT application package. Before mailing, make a copy of your entire application for your record keeping purpose. ISSS saves only a copy of your STEM OPT recommended I-20 for your student file Mail the packet within 30 days of new I-20 issuance or ASAP! (passed 30 days? Your application will be rejected). Copy and Mail Center is located in MAT 053
Mail Your Application Depends on address you indicate on I-765! From Washington State, use: For USPS: USCIS PO Box 21281 Outside of WA State? Find mailing Phoenix, AZ 85036 address here: www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses Click on Foreign Students For Non-USPS Deliveries: USCIS Attn: AOS 1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S Suite 100 Phoenix, AZ 85034
Notice of Action Receive a text and/or email from USCIS within a few days. Notice of Action should arrive with in 2 weeks. If you don t receive it, contact ISSS Immediately. Carefully review the notice to make sure your name is spelled correctly. Email a scanned copy of NOA to your advisors, if you want a copy in your student file. Do not recycle this document!
Case Status Update Go to www.uscis.gov Click on Check your Case Status. Enter receipt number (YSCXXXXXXXXXX) to learn more about your case. AND/OR Sign up for an account to receive email updates about your case!
Reporting Requirement While engaged in STEM extension, students are required to update ISSS with name and address of employer every 6 months (even nothing has changed). If you fail to report, your STEM OPT will be cancelled. ISS will NOT remind you about this. Report using Employment Info Update form (if you have update) or STEM OPT Participation Reporting form (with no update) Additionally, you must submit an updated and signed copy of your I-983 Training Plan to your International Student Advisor every 12 months Contact your International Student Advisor with questions!
SEVP Portal for Students Functions: Update physical home address Update mailing address Update phone numbers Monitor OPT approval status and dates You cannot update your employment info on the SEVP Portal while you are on STEM OPT You will receive an email to your UW email with a unique link to your account once your OPT is approved Learn more about the SEVP Portal
Access to UW email and MyUW Account UWT email account will be available to alumni forever. ISSS will correspond with you via UW Email account only. Students are now able to check UW Email account both via Google Mail and Office 365. Graduated students can continue to access MyUW to update their U.S. mailing address.
End of STEM OPT 60 days grace period. During this period, students can do the following: Depart US. Change to a different immigration status. Were you ever a J-1 student? Did you meet home country residency requirement? Be issued a new I-20 from a new program of study (SEVIS Record Transfer).