F-1 STEM OPT

F-1 STEM OPT Extensions

An F-1 student who received a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from an accredited and SEVP-certified school may apply for a 24-month extension of their optional practical training (OPT).

Eligibility

You have been granted OPT and currently be in a valid period of Post-Completion OPT.
You have successfully completed a degree or all formal coursework in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (pdf), from a SEVIS-certified US college or university.
You must have a job offer or be employed by an employer registered with the “E-Verify” federal employment verification system. The job must be directly related to your field of study.
You must not have been unemployed for more than 90 days while on your Post-Completion OPT employment authorization period.

Find additional information and considerations regarding the STEM OPT Extension on the USCIS website.

To apply for STEM Optional Practical Training based on employment with the University of Oklahoma, follow the steps below.

Step 1

Complete Form OIS983 Request for Training Plan for STEM OPT Students with your direct supervisor at OU and obtain a signature from the Department Chair. Submit the form to OIS along with a copy of your current I-20 and EAD card.

Step 2

OIS will complete Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students and send it you with the OU E-Verify number. You must sign the first page and return it to OIS.

Step 3

With the completed Form I-983, you will request a STEM OPT I-20 from the International Student Office at your host institution. Follow any instructions given by your school to obtain your STEM OPT I-20.

Step 4

After receiving your STEM OPT I-20, submit Form I-765 with all required documents to the USCIS within 60 days from your STEM OPT I-20 issue date.

A STEM OPT student may change employers or work at a different hiring site for the same employer, but the new employer or new hiring site must be enrolled in and be in good standing with E-Verify before the student begins their STEM OPT with the new employer or hiring site.

The student's expired OPT EAD with an endorsed Form I-20 is acceptable for employment purposes until USCIS makes a decision on the student's I-765 application, but for not more than 180 days from the date the student's initial OPT EAD expires. Employment authorization must be re-verified after 180 days from the date the EAD expires in order to continue employment. Refer to the USCIS Handbook for Employers M-274.

OPT STEM Reporting Requirements

You must report the following changes to OIS:

Any changes in employment at OU/OUHSC including changes in title, number of work hours, salary, or physical work location;
Your work site location change;
Any significant decrease in hours per week;
Changes to your learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.

These changes require updating your I-983 and submitting it to the International Student Office of your university.

You must complete a validation report every 6 months and annual evaluations as specified below:

6 months: STEM Validation
12 months: Annual Evaluation, STEM Validation
18 months: STEM Validation
24 months: Annual Evaluation, STEM Validation

Complete Form OIS983E and send it to OIS at least 3 weeks prior to your evaluation due date.

Download relevant forms from the Forms section.