STEM OPT | International Student Services Guidebook | BYU-Idaho

International Student ServicesGraduating Students

# STEM OPT

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If you graduated with a STEM degree, you may be eligible to apply for an additional two years of OPT. You will complete the same process as before- submitting the STEM OPT Extension Request in Sunapsis, wait for the updated OPT I-20 from the International Office, and then submit an online I-765 application and pay the fee again. An additional form, the I-983 Training Plan, must be submitted with your request. If the application is approved, USCIS will issue a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for the STEM extension. You are required to report to International Services:

- Within 10 days of any change in employment or personal address,
- 6 months after your STEM Extension has started,
- 12 months after your STEM Extension has begun (must include evaluation from top half of page 5 of the I-983 Training Plan,
- 18 months after your STEM Extension has begun, and
- 24 months after your STEM Extension has begun (must include final evaluation from bottom half of page 5 of the I-983 Training Plan).

When there are any changes in your employment including, but not limited to, a change in your job title or description or change in employer, you must fill out the STEM Extension Employment Update and upload a new Form I-983.

### Timeline

You must submit the I-765 application to USCIS sometime between 90 days before your current OPT is set to expire, and before the expiration date. You cannot submit the I-765 once the current OPT period is expired. You have 60 days from the time the STEM OPT Extension I-20 is created to submit the application to USCIS. It can take around 5 months for the STEM Extension to be approved- however, you have 180 days to be in the US legally and continue working while waiting for the STEM Extension decision from USCIS. You will receive an additional 60 days of unemployment once your STEM Extension is approved. This totals 150 days for the whole 3 years.

### Differences from the First Year

While on the STEM Extension of OPT, there are some differences in what you are allowed to do.

- You will receive an additional 60 days of unemployment once your STEM Extension is approved. This totals 150 days for the whole 3 years.
- In the first year of OPT, you can have multiple part time jobs (less than 20 hours) as long as the total is 20 or more hours per week. While on the STEM Extension, each job has to be 20 hours or more.
- You are required to fill out anI-983for each job you have. You will get more information on this form in emails from International Services.
- You must be paid for your jobs (no volunteering) and cannot be self-employed.
- All companies that you work for must participate inE-Verify.
- Travel signatures last for only 6 months, as opposed to the one year that was acceptable before.

### Documents Needed to Apply

- Form I-983(this is to be filled out with your employer and included in your application to International Services)
- Signed digital copy of updated STEM Extension I-20 from International Services
- Two passport-style photos
- I-94
- Copy of Passport
- Copy of Visa
- Copy of front and back of current EAD (Employment Authorization Document)
- Evidence that the student's degree meets the STEM degree/major requirements. This can be:
- An official transcript that shows degree level and program of study
- A copy of your diploma that shows degree level and program of study

### Completing STEM OPT

You have a 60-day grace period that begins after the end date on your EAD card if you complete your STEM OPT. You do not receive this grace period when canceling your OPT, or for running out of unemployment days. Please schedule an appointment with an advisor to discuss your individual situation if you are not completing your OPT.

You have this grace period to do one of the following:

- Transfer Schools
- Leave the United States
- Submit a Change of Status application