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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ custom_margin=”|auto|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”anchor3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Open Sans|600|||on|||#000000|” header_4_text_color=”#E71939″ link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Definition, purpose, and A Guide to Applying for STEM OPT<\/strong><\/p>\n The 24-month STEM OPT Extension allows F-1 students currently on post-completion OPT, who hold a U.S. degree in a designated STEM field, to apply for an additional 24 months of work authorization.<\/p>\n STEM OPT is only available to students who are:<\/strong><\/p>\n For more<\/span> information<\/span> on<\/span> STEM<\/span> OPT<\/span> eligibility<\/span>,<\/span> visit Study in the States<\/a><\/em>.<\/span> Learn<\/span> the<\/span> application<\/span> process<\/span> and<\/span> find<\/span> helpful<\/span> resources<\/span> regarding<\/span> the<\/span> STEM<\/span> OPT<\/span> extension<\/span> at<\/span> the<\/span> Study<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> States<\/span> STEM OPT Hub<\/a>.<\/span> The<\/span> Hub<\/span> provides<\/span> valuable<\/span> information<\/span> for<\/span> both<\/span> F<\/span>–<\/span>1<\/span> students<\/span> and<\/span> employers<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font=”|700|on||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font_size=”17px” background_enable_color=”off” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|true|true” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#E71939″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#EFEFEF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”|20px||20px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_4_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion toggle_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#E71939″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_icon__hover_enabled=”on|hover” toggle_icon__hover=”\uf067||fa||900″ icon_color__hover=”#000000″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” toggle_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” toggle_text_color__hover=”#E71939″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”STEP 1: Determine if you are eligible for the STEM OPT extension and ensure you have been maintaining F-1 status” open_toggle_text_color=”#E71939″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”9px||9px||true|false” border_width_top=”0px” border_width_right=”0px” border_width_bottom=”3px” border_color_bottom=”#333333″ border_width_left=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#000000″ toggle_font=”Open Sans|600|||||||” open=”on”]<\/p>\n Check if your degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Your job must be directly related to your STEM degree and meet DHS training requirements.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Instructions for F-1 status students to help determine STEM OPT extension eligibility.<\/a><\/p>\n DHS-Approved STEM Designated Degree Program List<\/a> DHS Information on the E-Verify program<\/a><\/p>\n To ensure you have been maintaining F-1 status, c<\/u><\/strong>onfirm that your 12-month OPT information up-to-date by<\/span> checking<\/span> the<\/span> Student<\/span> and<\/span> Exchange<\/span> Vis<\/span>itor<\/span> Program<\/span> – <\/span>the SEVP Portal<\/a>. If anything is out of date please update the SEVP portal . You<\/span> can<\/span> find<\/span> more<\/span> information<\/span> on<\/span> OPT<\/span> reporting<\/span> by visiting the <\/span>SEVP Portal OPT Reporting page.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”STEP 2: Prepare the following documents to submit the OPT Request Form” open=”off” open_toggle_text_color=”#E71939″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”9px||9px||true|false” border_width_top=”0px” border_width_right=”0px” border_width_bottom=”3px” border_color_bottom=”#333333″ border_width_left=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#000000″ toggle_font=”Open Sans|600|||||||”]<\/p>\n All required documents for the STEM OPT extension must be uploaded directly through the OPT Request Form. Do not email your documents. Submit your application here: ISS Virtual Office Assistant \u2013 Stem OPT Request Form<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n You will be prompted to upload:<\/span><\/p>\n For further guidance, refer to the full Request Forms Instructions on our website.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
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You cannot apply once your 12-month OPT expires or during the 60-day grace period.
<\/strong>We recommend you begin reviewing<\/span> the<\/span> application<\/span> process<\/span> and<\/span> collecting<\/span> documents<\/span> four<\/span> months<\/span> before<\/span> your<\/span> current<\/span> period<\/span> of<\/span> OPT<\/span> ends. You may a<\/span>pply for<\/span> STEM<\/span> OPT<\/span> up<\/span> to<\/span> 90<\/span> days<\/span> before<\/span> current<\/span> OPT<\/span> expires.
<\/span><\/h5>\nAPPLICATION PROCESS FOR OPT STEM EXTENSION – Follow the steps below:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Upload All Required Documents via the OPT Request Form<\/span>:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/span><\/span>\nGeneral Information:<\/span><\/h3>\n
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After OPT Approval:<\/span><\/h3>\n
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