1. Optional Practical Training (OPT) 24-Month STEM Extension
IUP Office of International Education 920 Grant Street Delaney Hall, B25 Indiana, PA

2. Are you eligible for the 24-month OPT STEM Extension?
Requirements
You must be a recipient of a U.S. Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) degree program List of STEM designated degrees
You are currently authorized for 12-month OPT and have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment
Can apply based on any previous STEM degree from an SEVP, accredited U.S. institution within the last 10 years
Employed or have a job offer related to your field of study from an employer who is registered in the USCIS E-Verify Program. Must complete Form I-983 with employer and all employers must have an EIN number.
You are applying no more than 90 days before your 12-month OPT expires and no later than the expiration of your 12-month OPT
Two 24-month STEM extensions may be granted per lifetime
(must be from different degree levels)

3. Types of Allowable Employment
Must be a bona fide employee of the employer completing the Form I-983. The employer signing the I-983 must be the same entity to employ you and provide the practical training experience required and outlined in the I-983
Multiple employer arrangements, sole proprietorships, employment through temp/job agencies, employment through consulting firms that provide labor for hire, and other relationships that do not constitute a bona fide employer-employee relationship are generally not supported
Volunteer/Unpaid positions and self employment are not supported by the 24-month OPT STEM extension

4. Transition from 17-Month to 24-Month STEM Extension
Students with pending or approved 17-month STEM extensions may be eligible to transition to a 24-month STEM request. These students fall into 2 categories:
RFE Transition to 24-Month Application: Your 17-Month application is still pending with USCIS after May 10, 2016
7-Month Extension: You have an approved 17-month STEM extension EAD that expires on or after October 7, 2016 (must file by August 08, 2016)

5. RFE Transition to 24-Month STEM Extension Application
You will receive an RFE (request for further evidence) if you have a 17-month STEM Extension which is still pending after May 10, 2016
The RFE will request an I-20 with 24-month OPT STEM recommendation
To request your I-20, submit an IUP OPT STEM application with a copy of your RFE and Form I-983. The OIE will issue you a new I-20 with 24-month OPT STEM recommendation
You will submit your RFE and new I-20 with 24-month OPT STEM recommendation to USCIS. Be sure to follow ALL instructions in the RFE

6. Eligibility for 7-Month Extension
For students with approved 17-month STEM EAD cards
Filing period: May 10, 2016 – August 08, 2016 only
You have at least 150 days of approved OPT STEM left when USCIS receives your application for the 7-month extension (Your filing deadline is the end date of your current STEM EAD minus 150 days)

7. 7-Month Extension with filing deadline on or before May 23, 2016
File OPT STEM Extension application packet to USCIS without a copy of the 24-month STEM I-20.
Include a cover letter with the following statement, “Due to new regulations, I must apply for the seven-month extension of my STEM OPT before SEVIS supports it. I will provide a Form I-20 with the extension recommendation after USCIS requests it.”
To request your new 24-month OPT STEM Extension I-20: Submit IUP 24-Month STEM application with Form I-983 and a copy of your current STEM EAD to the OIE
You will later receive an RFE from USCIS. Only when requested by USCIS, send your I-20 with 24-month OPT STEM Extension.

8. Application Process
Bring all documents listed below to appointment with International Student Advisor. If not in Indiana, PA – scan and documents to or mail to address on final slide. All documents are required to issue new OPT STEM request I-20
Required for DSO to issue OPT STEM request I-20
Complete IUP OIE OPT STEM Request Form
Letter from company – proof of E-verification
Copy of current EAD card
Proof of completion of STEM degree (diploma and/or transcript; both needed if STEM degree was completed at previous education level at a university other than IUP)
Completed Form I-983: Training Plan for STEM OPT

9. Application Process Required for USCIS – mail in this order
Money order or personal check (could take longer with personal check) for $410 made payable to Department of Homeland Security
Two color passport photographs (U.S. style 2 inches x 2 inches). Write last name in CAPS and SEVIS ID on back of both photos
Complete Form I-765 – use the fillable form online at For #16 use (c)(3)(c) for STEM Extension
Photocopies of ALL I-20s ever issued (every degree/program ever studied in U.S.)
Photocopy of current passport, visa, and I-94
Copy of front and back of EAD card – include copies of all EAD cards including previous STEM extension EAD card if applicable
Proof of STEM degree: final transcript or photocopy of your diploma showing the major and degree level that makes you eligible for the STEM Extension (transcript preferred)
If the OPT STEM Extension is based on a prior degree not listed on your current 12-month OPT I-20 – include a copy of your I-20 from the previous school.
Processing Times: USCIS process all OPT applications and STEM extensions. It currently takes days from the time they receive your documents to process your STEM Extension. Students applying for the 24-month OPT STEM Extension can apply 90 days prior to the last day of OPT and must apply before the final day of OPT as listed on the EAD card.

10. Form I-983
The formal training plan must clearly articulate the OPT STEM learning objectives and affirm the employer’s commitment to helping you achieve those objectives. To fulfill this requirement you and your employer must complete and sign Form I-983 and then submit it to the IUP OIE.
For more information about the OPT STEM Extension and Form I-983 visit

11. Reporting to the OIE
While on OPT STEM Extension, you must update the IUP OIE within 10 days of any changes to the following information:
Your name
Your residential address
Your phone number and address
Employer name or address
Start date of employment
Date of departure from the U.S. if you leave prior to OPT STEM end date and want to end your OPT
Change of status to another visa category

12. Frequently Asked Questions Employment
What is considered full-time employment on the 24- month OPT STEM Extension? Students must work at least 20 hours per week for an E-Verify employer in a position directly related to the STEM degree, following the goals and objectives stated in the I-983 training plan.
I have two part-time jobs. One of the employers is enrolled in E-Verify but the other is not. Is this allowed? No, only full-time employment is allowed at your STEM-eligible E-Verify registered employer.
How many days of unemployment am I allowed while on the 24-month STEM Extension? Students who receive a 24-month OPT STEM extension are given an additional 60 days of unemployment for a total of 150 days over their entire post-completion OPT period. (17-24-Month Transition students with a 17-month Extension who request an additional 7 months of OPT have 120 days of unemployment until the final approval of the 24-Month Extension EAD. Once the EAD is approved, you can claim the 24-Month 150-day unemployment).
What counts as unemployment? Each day during the period when OPT authorization begins and ends that the student does not have qualifying employment counts as a day of unemployment.
Can I continue to work while my 24-month STEM Extension OPT is pending? If a student’s EAD expires while the STEM Extension application is pending, the student is authorized to work until USCIS makes a decision about the application, but not more than 180 days from the date the student’s initial OPT EAD expires.
What documents should I present to my employer once my 12-month OPT expires and my OPT STEM is pending? The student should present the employer with the expired EAD card, the form I-20 recommending the student for STEM Extension, and proof of the timely filing with USCIS.
Can I switch employers while my OPT STEM application is pending? Yes, but we do NOT recommend this. You must submit a new OPT 24-Month STEM Request and I-983 to IUP Office of International Education. An advisor will update your information, then you must submit an amended Form I-765 and I-20 copy to the appropriate USCIS Service Center, providing the new employer’s E-Verify number and a copy of the USCIS receipt notice for the first Form I-765. A brief letter explaining the submission should also be included. There is no fee associated with submitting the amended Form I-765.

13. Frequently Asked Questions Travel and Re-entry
Can I travel outside the U.S. during my approved OPT period? Yes. However, if the student whose approved period of OPT has started, the time spent outside of the U.S. will count as unemployment against the 90/150-day limits. *If a student travels while employed either during a period of leave authorized by an employer or as part of their employment, the time spent outside the U.S. will not count as unemployment.
Can I travel outside the U.S. while my 24-month STEM Extension OPT is pending? Yes, travel while your OPT STEM application is pending is allowed if you have a valid F-1 visa and I-20 signed within the past 6 months. You should travel with a copy of your I-797 receipt notice and proof of your STEM employment (you should carry your EAD card if you have received it and a letter from your employer, if you are employed).
Can I renew my visa while on OPT STEM? Yes, you are eligible to renew your visa while on OPT STEM. Remember, that you are still applying for an F-1 non-immigrant visa which means you must demonstrate ties to your home country. See Applying for a Visa for a complete list of documents and advice on renewing the visa during OPT STEM and feel free to discuss your concerns with an advisor. Be advised that you MUST have an approved STEM EAD to apply for a new visa.
What documents do I need to re-enter the U.S? If you are eligible for travel, you will need:
A valid passport with unexpired F-1 visa stamp (if applicable)
Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an International Student Advisor at Berkeley International Office within the last 6 months
Unexpired EAD Card
Proof of employment (or employment offer)

14. IUP Office of International Education
IUP Office of International Education Indiana University of Pennsylvania Office of International Education 920 Grant Street Delaney Hall, B25 Indiana, PA
We hope that you have found the information in this presentation to be helpful. In the next video, IUP International Student Pre-Arrival Information Part 2, we will focus on Arriving at IUP. For additional questions, please feel free to contact the IUP Office of International Education and make an appointment with an International Student and Scholar Advisor.