STEM OPT Extension

• Be in valid F-1 status
• Be currently on an approved period of standard Post-Completion Optional Practical Training
• Be a recipient of a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree from accredited and SEVIS-approved US institutions of higher education in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field listed on the official STEM-Designated Degree Program List 
  • The CIP code is found on:
    • Old Format I-20s: at the top of page 3 of the I-20, next to “Primary Major”
    • New Format I-20s: on page 1 of the I-20, after the name of your major
  • Your CIP code cannot be changed, regardless of whether you think it should be considered STEM.
• Be employed by or have an offer letter related to the student's field of study from an employer who is participating in the USCIS E-Verify program
• Must be employed by the employer who will develop and supervise the training plan and who you will be providing services to. The employer that signs the training plan must be the same entity that employs the student and provides the practical training experience
• Apply before the end date of your current 12-month OPT expiration date
• Form I-765 must be filed while in the United States. 

The employer must:

• Be enrolled in E-Verify
• Have a Employer Identification Number
•  Guarantee that the student will complete a minimum of 20 hours per week and provide the student with formal training and learning objectives related to the student's qualifying STEM degree
• Agree to the terms of STEM OPT

E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Department of State (DOS) records to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

A list of employers who have self-reported participation in E-Verify is maintained by USCIS but students are advised to confirm with employers directly regarding eligibility.

Though participation in E-Verify is required of some employers, most employers participate voluntarily. It is free for employers. If your company wants to participate in E-Verify, see the DHS web site.

For the 24-month STEM Extension:

Students who qualify under the OPT STEM Extension and who are currently in an initial 12 month period of Post Completion OPT should consider the following points when applying for the 24-month STEM Extension:

• Submit a request for the OPT STEM Extension I-20 to Purdue ISS as early as 90 days before the expiration date of the current period of OPT
• This request must be submitted to ISS a minimum of one month before the expiration date of the current period of OPT
• USCIS must receive your STEM OPT extension application before the expiration of OPT
  
• When USCIS receives the application before the expiration, employment authorization is then extended for 180 days after the current OPT expiration [8 CFR 274a.12(b)(6)(iv)]
• Take into consideration the length of time involved in preparing application documents yourself and with your employer, as well as giving sufficient time for mailing application documents

You may wish to use this STEM OPT Timeline Calculator to assist in  your planning. (Opens in Excel.)

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Please see the “Who is Eligible to Apply for the STEM Extension” section above to determine your eligibility for the STEM extension.  You must file Form I-765 while in the United States. 

Step 2: Review STEM OPT Extension regulations

Review the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new STEM OPT Hub.

Review the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT).

Step 3: Update all personal and employment information

Use this e-form group to report all changes to personal and employment information within 10 days. You must inform ISS each and every time your information changes. Also use this e-form to periodically validate information while on OPT. Use the following e-forms to report: 

Upload an OPT-Related Document

• Receipt Notice
• Approval Notice
• EAD
• Job Offer Letter

Reporting Post-Completion OPT Employment Information

(e-form appears only once on active period of OPT)

• Starting employment with new employer
• Employer name change
• Work location change 
• Supervisor change 
• Job title and job description change 
• Changes in full-time vs part-time employment

Report Employment End Date

(e-form appears only once on active period of OPT)

• Report the end date of employment

REQUIRED: Personal Information on OPT

• Legal name 
• Living address
• Phone number
• Email 

Note: it is required to submit this form in order to submit the e-form group.

REQUIRED: Finalize your OPT Report

Note: to submit your request fully to ISS, you must submit this e-form. If you do not submit this e-form, ISS will not be notified of any of your update requests. You will receive an email confirmation once you have successfully submitted the e-form group. 

Note: you do not need to wait until your information is updated before proceeding to the application e-form. All e-forms will be processed at the same time.

Step 4: Submit “Apply for STEM OPT Extension” e-form

Submit MyISS>F-1 Optional Practical Training>Apply for STEM OPT Extension e-form.

How to Log In to myISS:

If you still have an active Purdue student account:

1. Go to MyISS
2. Log in with "Full Client Services for Students & Scholars" by clicking the Login button. 
3. Enter your Purdue Career Account ID and password.
4. Expand the appropriate section on the left-hand side of the screen.
5. Click the appropriate link and follow instructions in the e-form.

If you are no longer enrolled or engaged in activity at Purdue:

1. Go to MyISS
2. Scroll down to the section "Don't Have a Purdue Career Account?" and click on the link "Student/Scholar Login."
3. First time users:
   • If it is your first time accessing myISS, you will need to request a PIN. Scroll to the bottom and click the "E-mail me my Limited Access PIN" button.
   • Enter your PUID. USE ONLY ONE ZERO of your PUID. Do not enter dashes. You will enter a 9-digit number. Ex. 012345678
   • An email with the PIN will be sent to the email address Purdue ISS has on file for you. Be sure to check your spam folder. Contact ISS if you do not receive an email - we may not have a valid email address on file for you. Keep record of your PIN!
   • After you have received the PIN, navigate back to the Login page, enter your PUID (ONLY 9 DIGITS - DO NOT ENTER THE FIRST ZERO), your date of birth, and the PIN.
   • Expand the appropriate section on the left-hand side of the screen.
   • Click the appropriate link and follow instructions in the e-form.
4. Returning users:
   • Enter your PUID (ONLY 9 DIGITS - DO NOT ENTER THE FIRST ZERO), your date of birth, and the PIN.
   • Expand the appropriate section on the left-hand side of the screen.
   • Click the appropriate link and follow instructions in the e-form.

Go to F-1 Optional Practical Training>Apply for STEM OPT Extension. Follow instructions to upload all required documents in order to request your OPT I-20.

You will need to upload copies of some or all of the following documents:

• I-765 form, completed and signed. Details on accessing the USCIS Instructions and a guide prepared by ISS can be found in the e-form.

• Photocopy of passport biographical page

• Photocopy of front and back of I-94 OR printout of your most recent electronic I-94 (print by visiting USCBP I-94 site)

• Form I-983, completed and signed

  • You can start preparing the Form I-983 Training Plan with your employer. You will need start on this with your employer well in advance of your application submission.

  • SEVIS School Code of School Recommending STEM OPT: CHI214F10460000

  • Designated School Official Name and Contact should be the name of the last person who signed your most current I-20 then indicate "or other Purdue DSO", our email address is iss@purdue.edu and our phone number is 765-494-5770.

  • Student SEVIS ID No.:  This is found on your I-20.

  • You may want to review the I-983 Training Plan instructions published by ICE. Please note that the instructions in Section 1 about the Employment Authorization Number are confusing. This refers to the USCIS # on your EAD card.

Step 5: Prepare other required documents for your STEM OPT Extension application

While ISS is processing your OPT I-20, you can begin preparing the following documents. Keep these documents in a safe place until you are ready to submit the STEM OPT Extension application. ISS does not need these documents. IMPORTANT: You must file Form I-765 while in the United States. 

Regarding I-765 Edition Date and Fee

• Completed Form G-1145 (Optional, but recommended. Only when sending with USPS to Phoenix.)
• Filing Fee - You may pay by check, money order, cashier's check, or credit card. (If using credit card, must also include Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.) Check the Filing Fee section for the current fee for the I-765. (See section above "Regarding I-765 Edition Date and Fee")
• 2 passport-sized photos (taken within 30 days and never used for any other purpose) in a small plastic bag. Write your name, birth date, and I-94 in ballpoint pen on the back of each photo.
• Completed original Form I-765. Make sure to sign the I-765 form. (See section above "Regarding I-765 Edition Date and Fee")
• (ISS will give you a STEM OPT I-20. You must sign the original I-20, make a photocopy, then send the photocopy for your application and keep the original.)
• Photocopy of passport biographical page
• Photocopy of F-1 visa (all students except Canadian citizens)
• Photocopy of front and back of I-94 OR printout of your most recent electronic I-94 (print by visiting USCBP I-94 site)
• Photocopy of current Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card and all previous EAD cards, if any
• Photocopy of university diploma
• Photocopy or original of official university transcripts showing STEM degree conferred date (Does not need to be sealed. See this site for transcript requests: Registrar Transcript Site)    
• Any other documents personally recommended for you by ISS(optional)

Make a photocopy of your entire application packet before sending to USCIS

Note: You do not send your Form I-983 to USCIS. It is required only to submit to ISS, and ISS will keep it in your file.  

Step 6: Receive your I-20 from ISS

The STEM OPT Extension is recommended by ISS if eligibility requirements are met, and ISS will create a new I-20 reflecting the recommendation. Ultimately, however, the STEM OPT Extension is authorized (or denied) by USCIS in the form of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

When it is completed, ISS will send you an email with instructions on creating a shipping label so that we can send you your STEM OPT Extension I-20.

When you receive your I-20, make sure all the information is correct, and notify ISS if anything is incorrect or missing. Sign the I-20. Then make a photocopy of the signed I-20. You will KEEP your original I-20 and include the signed photocopy in your application packet.

Step 7: Assemble, double-check, and mail your completed application to USCIS as soon as you receive it from ISS

***Your final instructions for preparing and sending your STEM OPT Extension application packet, as well as extremely important information to remember while you are on the STEM OPT Extension will be sent in an email from ISS after your I-20 is ready. Please read the instructions carefully.***

Follow the instructions on the Final Instructions sheet for assembling all the required documents in your application packet. Double-check all documents: remember that it is your responsibility to ensure the application is correct and complete.

Do not delay in sending your application, as it is very time-sensitive. ISS recommends you send your application packet via USPS and use tracking to monitor when your packet is received by USCIS.

We highly recommend photocopying your complete application packet to keep for your records.

Important Note:

• USCIS must receive your application within 60 days of the STEM OPT Extension recommendation date (you can find this date next to the ISS staff signature on the first page).

• You must file Form I-765 while in the United States. 

According to regulation 8CFR274a.12(b)(6)(iv), filing the STEM extension permits you to continue working for up to 180 days while your extension application is pending or until the final decision from USCIS on the application (whichever comes first) if you meet the following conditions:

• You are currently in a period of post-completion OPT;

• You properly filed your application for the STEM extension with USCIS in a timely manner;
  
  
• You meet all other requirements for employment under the STEM Extension.

For more guidance, please refer to USCIS I-9 Central Foreign Academic Students

New STEM extension EAD cards begin the day after the expiration of the 12 month EAD card and ends 24 months later, no matter the date of adjudication.

In order to qualify as employment for the STEM extension:

• The position must be directly related to your major field of study. It must also be appropriate to your degree level.
• You must work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
• Employment must be paid.
• The company must be registered with the U.S. Government E-Verify employment verification system.
• The employer must acknowledge and adhere to requirements published on form I-983 in conjunction with the new Rule.
• You must be employed by the entity that provides the supervised practical training experience. Employment relationships such as Work For Hire, Self-Employment, Employment Agencies, and owning a business as a sole-proprietor do not qualify.

The type of employment can vary:

• Employment with one or more employers - as long as all employment is directly related to your major field of study under which you qualify for a STEM extension. and each employer is enrolled in E-Verify, and each employer executes and abides by the training plan.

90-days of unemployment were allowed on your initial 12-month period of OPT. If you have not exceeded this number, additional unemployment days will be available to you while on the STEM extension.

• On 24-month STEM: An additional 60 days of unemployment time will be available during the extension, combined with the 90 days granted during initial 12-month.  The aggregate total allowed is 150 days during the possible 36 months.

This means that beginning on the OPT start date printed on your original EAD card and continuing through the end date on your EAD for your STEM Extension, each day that you do not have a job counts toward unemployment. This includes weekends and holidays, as well as days spent outside the United States. If you are employed (i.e. on payroll) and taking a temporary break or vacation from a current job, this does not count as unemployment, as long as you remain in active paid status with your employer.

If you are getting close to your unemployment limit, before that date you should:

• Prepare to exit the US

• Change visa categories

• Apply to continue your education at Purdue or transfer to another SEVP certified school

You are responsible for counting the number of days of unemployment you have accrued while on OPT, so it is important to keep track of start and end dates of each job you have. You may be denied future immigration benefits if USCIS determines that you exceeded the limitations on unemployment.

Updates While STEM OPT is Pending:

Employment Information

You are only able to report employment information for employment during your currently authorized period of post-completion OPT. You will not be able to report change on STEM OPT until you are on your approved period of STEM OPT. However, if the employer with which you are applying for the STEM OPT application changes, it is vital that you contact ISS immediately to discuss the implications of this. Your STEM OPT application is partially dependent on the employer, so you will likely need to make updates to your application.

OPT-Related Documents

You may wish to upload copies of your receipt notice, approval notice, EAD card, or job offer letter. The "Upload an OPT-Related Document" will be available to you while your OPT application is pending and also once you are on your approved period of OPT. Note that this e-form is NOT meant for you to upload any OPT application documents, Social Security cards, or credit cards.

Respond to a Request for Evidence

If USCIS sends you a Request for Evidence (RFE), you may upload it in the "Respond to a Request for Evidence" e-form so that ISS may assist you with it. This e-form will be available to you while your OPT application is pending and also once you are on your approved period of OPT.

Updates While on Approved Period of STEM OPT

Once you are on your approved period of STEM OPT, you will use the “OPT Reporting” e-form group in the “F-1 Optional Practical Training” category to report any changes to personal and employment information within 10 days of the change. You must inform ISS each and every time your information changes. Also use this e-form to periodically validate information while on OPT. This e-form may also be used to request a new travel signature or reprinted I-20 while on STEM OPT. 

In addition, you are required to validate employment and provide evaluations at these times:

• At 6 months, you must validate your current employment and personal address
  • In the Report OPT Employment eform, you must answer "yes" to the question "Do you need to report or validate employment?"
• At 12 months, you must validate your current employment and personal address as well as provide an evaluation by completing the "Evaluation on Student Progress" section on the last page of the I-983
• At 18 months, you must validate your current employment and personal address
• At 24 months, you must validate your current employment and personal address as well as provide an evaluation by completing the "Final Evaluation on Student Progress" section on the last page of the I-983

There are 5 e-forms in the OPT Reporting e-form group. Regardless of what you need to report, you must go through each one sequentially so that ISS can collect enough data to fully submit a report. Use the following e-forms to report: 

Report OPT Employment Information 

• Starting employment with new employer
• Employer name change
• Work location change 
• Supervisor change 
• Job title and job description change 
• Changes in full-time vs part-time employment
• Reduction in compensation
  

Report Employment End Date

• Report the end date of employment
  

Travel Signature/Reprint Request on OPT

• Indicate if you would like an I-20 printed after filling out e-forms to update information
• And/or to request a travel signature
  • NOTE: when requesting a travel signature, please ensure that you have already reported your employment information here. If in doubt, please report the information again, and we will check your record to ensure up-to-date information. 
    

Personal Information on OPT

• Legal name 
• Living address
• Phone number
• Email 
  

Submit your OPT Report to ISS

• To submit your request fully to ISS, you must submit this last e-form in the group. If you do not submit this e-form, ISS will not be notified of any of your update requests. You will receive an email confirmation once you have successfully submitted the e-form group. 

Note on Address Updates:

Please note that updating your residential address has no connection to the EAD card mailing address. If you need to update the EAD card mailing address, contact ISS directly instead of the USCIS National Service Center. To avoid unnecessary complications and problems, ISS recommends you file your OPT application with a requested EAD card mailing address that will remain valid for at least four months.

When to Report a STEM OPT Update with a New I-983 Form

Using the "OPT Reporting" e-form group as described above, you must report changes to any of the following information, and you must upload a new I-983.

Report within 10 days of any changes to the following areas:

• Employer name, EIN, or address
• Any reduction in compensation that is not tied to a reduction in number of hours worked
• Reduction in number of hours worked to less than 20 hours per week
• Changes to the employer's commitments or student's learning objectives
• Change in employment
  • Important Note: If you change employers, you and your old employer will need to update your existing I-983 form by filling out the final evaluation, and you and your new employer must complete a new I-983 form and submit to ISS.
    

Report within 12 months:

You and employer together must complete the first "Evaluation of Student Progress" portion of the Form I-983 within 12 months of the listed STEM OPT start date. You must submit this to Purdue ISS.

Report at the completion of the 24 month STEM OPT Extension, or at the conclusion of employment, whichever comes first:

You and your employer together must complete the "Final Evaluation of Student Progress" portion of the Form I-983 at the completion of the 24 month STEM OPT Extension or at the conclusion of employment, whichever comes first. You must submit this to Purdue ISS within 10 days of the required date.

Updates if Ending STEM OPT

Use the "Report No Longer on OPT" e-form if you are ending your period of OPT for any reason, including changes of visa status, transferring to a new school, starting a new degree program, or departing the U.S. before the end of your OPT.

Report No Longer On OPT

• Change in visa status, including approval of H1-B petition, other approval of adjustment of status, or any other change in immigration status. You must submit proof of approval for any change in status.
• Transfer to another school to start a new degree program
• Change to a new degree program at Purdue University
• Permanent departure from the U.S. before the end of your OPT if you decide to end your work early and forfeit the remainder of your OPT

How to Log In to myISS

If you still have an active Purdue student account:

1. Go to https://connect.iss.purdue.edu/
2. Log in with "Full Client Services for Students & Scholars" by clicking the blue login button in the left box on the main page. 
3. Enter your Purdue Career Account ID and password.
4. Expand the appropriate section on the left-hand side of the screen.
5. Click the appropriate link and follow instructions in the e-form.

If you are no longer enrolled or engaged in activity at Purdue:

1. Go to https://connect.iss.purdue.edu/
2. Log in with "Limited Services for Students & Scholars" by clicking "Limited Services" in the right box on the main page.
3. First time users:
   • If it is your first time accessing myISS, you will need to request a PIN. Click the "E-mail me my Limited Access PIN" button.
   • Enter your PUID. USE ONLY ONE OF THE LEADING ZEROS. Do not enter dashes. You will enter a 9-digit number. Ex. 012345678
   • An email with the PIN will be sent to the email address Purdue ISS has on file for you. Be sure to check your spam folder. Contact ISS if you do not receive an email - we may not have a valid email address on file for you. Keep record of your PIN!
   • After you have received the PIN, navigate back to the Login page, enter your PUID (ONLY 9 DIGITS - DO NOT ENTER THE FIRST ZERO), your date of birth, and the PIN.
   • Expand the appropriate section on the left-hand side of the screen.
   • Click the appropriate link and follow instructions in the e-form.
4. Returning users:
   • Enter your PUID (ONLY 9 DIGITS - DO NOT ENTER THE FIRST ZERO), your date of birth, and the PIN.
   • Expand the appropriate section on the left-hand side of the screen.
   • Click the appropriate link and follow instructions in the e-form.

If STEM Extension Application is Pending

As per the preamble of the 24 month STEM Extension Rule (81 FR 13103 par. 774):  Students on STEM OPT extensions (including those whose application for a STEM OPT extension is pending) may travel abroad and seek reentry to the United States in F-1 status during the STEM OPT extension period if they have a valid F-1 visa that permits multiple entries and a current Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility endorsed for reentry by the DSO within the last six months. The student's status is determined by CBP upon admission to the United States or through a USCIS adjudication of a change-of-status petition.

If STEM Extension is Pending or Approved

• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport
• I-20 with travel signature dated within six months of your current reentry to the U.S.
• Valid EAD or proof of pending STEM Extension application
• A job offer letter from a prospective employer or a job letter from a current employer

Travel Signature

Travel signatures while on STEM OPT are good for six months. Please look at your I-20 to check if your last travel signature will be less than six months old on the date of your return to the U.S. You will also want to ensure that your I-20 is completely up to date when you travel. (Ex. If your current I-20 says “STEM OPT Requested” and your STEM OPT has since been approved, you will want to request a new I-20 with travel signature.  If you need a travel signature while on STEM OPT, please log in to myISS and navigate to the “F-1 Optional Practical Training” category, and then to the “OPT Reporting” e-form group. In this e-form group, you can verify that you have reported all personal and employment information, as well as request a travel signature.

Getting an F-1 Visa Stamp on OPT

If your F-1 visa has expired and you wish to travel outside of the U.S., a new F-1 visa must be obtained before re-entering the U.S. If you need to apply for a new visa, please consult the Immigration Counselor who assisted you with your OPT application prior to travel to discuss the visa application process and possible risks. Also see this guide: Renewing Your Visa

If a petition has been filed on your behalf, such as for an H1-B, you should consult with legal counsel in regards to traveling with a pending petition.

Q: How do I submit my documents for the 24-month OPT STEM Extension application?

A: ISS has just implemented an online application system. Please see the "How to Apply for the STEM Extension" section above for full instructions.

Q: How do I fill out the Form I-983?

 A: You need to fill this form out together with your employer. Please see the section above titled "How to Apply for the STEM Extension" Step 4, and the section titled "Purdue Specific I-983 Information" if you are employed by Purdue. You may also want to refer to the I-983 instructions published by ICE.

Q: I have filed for the STEM Extension and it is still pending, but now I need to change employers. What do I do?

A: Upload the STEM Extension receipt to MyISS>F-1 OPT>Upload an OPT Related Doc eform. Then submit the OPT Reporting eforms with new employer info and I-983 as well as final date of employment for current employer. Request a new I-20. In final eform, state that the STEM Extension is still pending.

Upon receiving new I-20, contact USCIS to ask how to provide the following:

• Copy of I-797 receipt
• Copy of new I-20 with new employer STEM requested on page 2
• Cover letter stating
  • Amending pending application
  • New employer E-verify name and number

Q: Can I attend classes during the OPT STEM 24 Month Extension?

A: While on OPT, you may not attend classes toward an educational or professional objective, such as a degree or certificate program.

You are allowed to attend classes that are avocational or recreational in nature as long as the classes will not result in an educational or professional objective. A program of study that “leads to the attainment of a specific educational or professional objective” is not avocational or recreational. The definition of program extends to all approved academic programs at Purdue University whether credit is being earned toward a degree objective; through non-degree admission; part-time or full-time enrollment; or, for an undergraduate or graduate Certificate program.

You are advised to discuss these plans with a student counselor if you have questions according to Contact Student Services.

If you decide to begin a new program with an educational or professional objective, you will need to either change your educational level (if you will pursue your new program at Purdue) or transfer your SEVIS record (if you will attend a different university).

As soon as you begin your new program at Purdue or on the date your SEVIS record is released (transferred) to another institution, the rest of your OPT is forfeited and you must stop working.  You cannot save any unused OPT days.