STEM OPT When To Apply (2024)

FAQs

When should you apply for STEM OPT? ›

You can request your STEM OPT Extension I-20 from ISS as early as 90 days before your current 12-month OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card expiration date. USCIS must receive your STEM OPT extension application before your current 12-month OPT EAD Card expiration date.

Students are required to add their employer information in the SEVP Portal within 10 days from the start of employment. If you miss the 10 day reporting deadline, employment updates must still be reported although the SEVP Portal will not allow OPT students to report employment that began more than 10 days in the past.

DSO Role with Form I-983

The student must submit the 12-month and final evaluations no later than 10 days following the conclusion of the appropriate reporting period. If an opportunity ends early the student must submit the final evaluation within 10 days following the conclusion of the opportunity.

Students may apply for Post-completion (post-graduation) OPT up to 90 days before completion of studies and up to 60 days after.

STEM degree

May apply up to 90 days before your current OPT employment authorization expires.

60 Day Grace Period After Program Completion:

According to the F-1 regulations, you have a 60-day grace period from the program completion date on your I-20 to stay in the US, transfer to a new school, apply for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) work benefit, or apply to change your visa status.

The five month rule refers to the termination of a student's record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) based on the student being away from classes or not in status for five months.

The 60-day grace period is a crucial time frame for nonimmigrant visa holders in the United States. When employment or a qualifying event ends, visa holders are granted up to 60 days to either find new employment, change their visa status, or prepare to leave the country.

This includes ensuring that your payroll is run in the United States and that you continue to report to your U.S. employer regularly. Generally, STEM OPT regulations suggest that you can be outside the United States for up to 90 days during your STEM OPT period without jeopardizing your status.

The new rule allows STEM OPT students a maximum of 150 days of unemployment during their entire post-completion OPT period – 90 days for the initial 12-month grant and an additional 60 days once granted a STEM extension.

What is the minimum salary for stem OPT? ›

There is no specific wage requirement for employment during STEM OPT, but the I-983 includes an attestation by the employer that compensation is commensurate with that provided to U.S. employees who provide similar duties and responsibilities.

Solution 1: Reapply for OPT

It is crucial to submit your new application within 30 days of the denial letter, ensuring that the materials are complete and meet the required standards. Contact your International Student Office to obtain a new I-20 immediately after receiving the denial letter.

Processing times vary greatly, but you should expect USCIS to take about 90-120 days to approve your STEM OPT Extension application.

The short answer is yes as long as you timely filed for the STEM OPT extension. According to 8 CFR §§214.2(f)(11)(i)(C), 274a. 12(b)(6)(iv), a timely filed application for STEM OPT authorization automatically extends employment authorization for 180 days or until a written decision by USCIS, whichever is earlier.

You may contact the USCIS National Customer Service number 1-800-375-5283 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern) to request an expedite of your pending OPT request if you have a valid expedite reason.

How long will it take for my application to be approved? Processing times vary greatly, but you should expect USCIS to take about 90-120 days to approve your STEM OPT Extension application.

ISPO will review your request and issue you an updated I-20 that will have the STEM OPT Extension recommendation on it. You will need to include a copy of this I-20 in your STEM OPT Extension application to USCIS.

QUESTION 3: On average 97% of all OPT I765 STEM applications were approved in fiscal years 2015-2019.

H-1B must be filed between April 1^st and before the expiration of your STEM OPT.