STEM Extension

• Be in valid F1 status
• Be currently working in a period of post-completion OPT
• Have a bachelor's degree or higher degree in an eligible STEM field
  • Have received your most recent degree from a currently accredited Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school in the U.S. (WTAMU is a SEVP certified school)

• Must be enrolled in the E-Verify program with USCIS
• Must be willing and able to work with the student to complete the I-983 Training Plan
• Must understand and agree to the Employer STEM OPT Reporting Requirements

• Must be 21 or more hours per week
• Must provide formal training and learning objectives directly related to your qualifying STEM degree
• Must be paid. Cannot be volunteer or unpaid

Check your I-20 for your program's CIP code (found on page 1, in the Program of Study section; it is the 6-digit code next to your major). You can also check your CIP code on the OPT Reporting Requirements tab of your International Student Portal.

Verify that the CIP code listed on your I-20 is a STEM-eligible CIP code.

Verify that your employer:

• Is enrolled in the E-Verify Program
• Is willing and able to work with the student to complete the I-983 Training Plan
• Understands and agrees to the Employer STEM OPT Reporting Requirements

Pay the required $215 post-enrollment fee

W

Why is this fee required and why is it twice as much as the Initial OPT Fee?

• When you are a current student at WT, you pay an international student fee of $75 per semester. This fee is what allows us to maintain your SEVIS record, among other items.
• Once you graduate, you no longer pay that fee. The $215 post-enrollment fee allows our office to continue to maintain your SEVIS record while you are on STEM OPT.
• The STEM OPT post-enrollment fee is $215 because the STEM extension is for 24 months (twice as long as initial OPT)

Submit the Apply for STEM OPT request in your International Student Portal.

Once the STEM OPT request is submitted, a DSO will review and process it. If approved, a DSO will then email you to notify you that your STEM OPT Request I-20 is available in your International Student Portal. You have 60 days after the DSO requests STEM extension to complete the next step. If you have less than 60 days remaining of Initial OPT, you must file the STEM Extension before the expiration date listed on your EAD card.

Please note that WT processing times are approximately 10-15 business days.

This next step is with USCIS and is the actual STEM OPT application.

You MUST complete this process within 60 days after your STEM OPT request I-20 is issued AND before the expiration date of your current OPT EAD card. Otherwise, your application with USCIS will automatically be denied, with no option to reapply or appeal the decision.

Please note: ensuring that the USCIS application form is completed, compiled, and submitted correctly with USCIS is entirely your responsibility. We are here to help you through the process, however, the responsibility is entirely yours.

• We will review the USCIS application with you once we process and review your STEM OPT Request

• Go to www.uscis.gov
• Login or Create an Account
• You will complete the I-765 application for STEM OPT
• Upload the required documents in PDF format. Required documents generally include:
  • Passport Biographic Page
  • Visa Stamp
  • I-94 (most recent)
  • I-20s showing past CPT authorization
  • I-20s showing previous OPT authorization
  • Previous EADs
  • Current I-20, showing STEM OPT request
  • 2x2 Passport-size photo
  • Copy of your diploma with the STEM-eligible degree
• Please note that there is a USCIS application fee of $470

Once received, upload a copy of your EAD Card (front and back) and your I-797 Approval Notice to your International Student Portal.

You will need a new I-20 with the STEM OPT Approval and employer listed on page 2.

• Address
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Legal Name

Most of these require an updated I-983 Training Plan, in addition to the SEVIS and WT form updates

• Loss of Employer (quit, laid off, etc.) - requires an updated I-983 Training Plan, with the Final Evaluation completed, even if it has not been 24 months
• New Employer - requires an updated I-983 Training Plan with new employer information
• New Job Title and/or Duties - requires an updated I-983 Trainin Plan that reflects your new job title and new training plan objectives
• New Supervisor
• Employer or Physical Site Address/Location

Requires submitting the STEM Reporting - 6 Month Validation request in your International Student Portal.

Please set a calendar reminder at least 15 days BEFORE the reporting date to submit your updates. Be mindful of international processing times, which are about 10-15 business days.

Requires submitting the I-983 with the 12-month evaluation completed on page 5. You will do this using the STEM Reporting - 12 Month Self-Evaluation request in your International Student Portal.

Please set a calendar reminder at least 15 days BEFORE the reporting date to submit your updates. Be mindful of international processing times, which are about 10-15 business days.

Requires submitting the STEM Reporting - 18 Month Validation request in your International Student Portal

Please set a calendar reminder at least 15 days BEFORE the reporting date to submit your updates. Be mindful of international processing times, which are about 10-15 business days.

Requires submitting the I-983 with the 24-month/Final evaluation completed on page 5. You will do this by submitting the STEM Reporting - 24 Month Final Evaluation request in your International Student Portal.

Please set a calendar reminder at least 15 days BEFORE the reporting date to submit your updates. Be mindful of international processing times, which are about 10-15 business days.

Travel While STEM OPT is Pending is not recommended. If you need to travel while your STEM OPT application is pending, please reach out to a DSO at internationaladmissions@wtamu.edu

To travel while on active STEM OPT, you will need the following:

• Travel signature from a DSO on page 2 of your I-20
• Letter from your employer indicating that you are on authorized leave (vacation, conference, etc.) and are expected back to work on XYZ date
• Valid visa stamp in your passport
• Passport that is valid at least 6 months into the future

Please reach out to a DSO at internationaladmissions@wtamu.edu with any questions or concerns that are not addressed on this website. Please note that response times are generally 5-8 business days.