OPT 17 Month STEM Extension
Eligibility for Extension
- The 17-month extension is only possible one time per lifetime; a student is NOT eligible to receive an extension more than once, regardless of degree level.
- The 17 month extension cannot be “split” into 2 periods.
- USCIS will determine whether a student’s degree is eligible for the STEM= Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics extension by ensuring that the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code listed on the I-765 and/or the I-20 is one of the fields listed in the DHS STEM list. http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm
- When asked to list the degree in item #17 of the Form I-765, the student should list the major as it appears on the I-20 (i.e. the name associated with the eligible CIP code), not the name used by the institution.
- Note: the I-20 only lists the primary major. If the STEM major is the student’s secondary major:
- DSO should handwrite on the I-20 “Secondary major CIP code: (list CIP code), (title of major as it appears in SEVIS)”
- Student needs to include documentation of the major that relates to the CIP code which qualifies the individual for the extension.
- Student must be currently participating in a period of standard OPT based on a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student’s major area of study.
- Since the employment must directly relate to the STEM field, it is recommended that the student include a statement from the employer regarding how the employment relates to the STEM field.
- The employer must agree to report the termination or departure of the student to ISS or through "any other means or process identified by DHS." An employer must consider a worker to have departed when the employer knows the student has left employment, or if the student has not reported for work for a period of five consecutive business days without the employer's consent.
- I-765 filing window Applications for the 17-month STEM extension must be filed before the current EAD expires.
- The only thing required for the I-765 is the employer’s E-Verify number and name as listed in E-verify.
Applying for the 17-month STEM OPT Extension
Request an OPT STEM extension I-20 from International Student Services (ISS) via email peter.thomas@utoledo.edu or temuulen.johnson@uotledo.edu.
An extension I-20 will be issued after verifying eligibility.
With your request include the following information:
SEVIS ID; Student ID; Full Name;
Home Address; Home Phone; Email address;
Job title or Position; Supervisors Name; Supervisors Phone;
Employer Name; Employer Address;
Complete the Form I-765 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765.pdf) In the section marked #17 enter code (c)(3)(C) for a 17-month STEM OPT extension. Print and sign the document
$340 personal check and/or money order made payable to The United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS)
Mail the I-765, check for $340 and the I-20 from UT OISS to the address that services the area from which you live in http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765instr.pdf
Every time you change employer or living address you must complete this form within ten days of the change and every six months: http://enrollmentservices.utoledo.edu/events/register.asp?event_id=1023
