STEM OPT

Employment Requirements:

• The job must be directly related to the degree that qualified you for the STEM OPT extension. The job must be a paid job, for at least 20 hours per week per each employer.
• Employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify program and have an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN); there must be a 'bona fide employer-employee' relationship, and you may not be self-employed. Finally the employer must have sufficient resources and personnel available to provide the training specified in the Form I-983.
• The job's compensation and working conditions must be 'commensurate with terms and conditions applicable to the employer's similarly situated U.S. workers in the area of employment.'
• Do not exceed the unemployment cap.

Reporting Requirements:

You will be required to submit several mandatory requirements throughout your time in STEM OPT. Follow the steps below to report on time. Remember that you will be out of status if you fail to report as required.

1. Understand the Mandatory requirements
2. Use the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Calculator to calculate the due dates for each specific reporting requirements
   Notice that reporting dates will vary for every student depending on the start date of the 24-Month STEM OPT extension EAD.
3. Complete the STEM OPT updates required and submit to ISS within 10 business days from the deadline. 

For additional help understanding your mandatory reporting requirements for student and employers click in the link below:
STEM OPT reporting requirements handout from Study in the States

Click here for travel information from International Students & Scholars Services.

Ending STEM OPT
Report the end of your OPT period at any time by submitting OPT end date information as a student request. 

Grace Period
F-1 students who complete their OPT period successfully until the end of their Employment Authorization Card (EAD) have a 60-day grace period. During the grace period, students must prepare to depart the U.S., gain a new F-1 status, or change to another immigration status.

Transfer
A Transfer out Request must be submitted to ISS within the grace period if you plan to start a new academic program at a school other than CSULB.

H1-B Cap Gap Extension

For more detailed information about the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension, click on the links below:

• STEM OPT Hub
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) page on STEM OPT

Support Services:

• Meet with an Advisor – Email us at cie-student@csulb.edu to request an appointment
• 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Webinar - Participate in a live webinar to discuss the application process and deadlines, among other relevant subjects.
• Submit your specific questions through the OPT Question Box below.

You can submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization and all required documents to ISS up to 90 days before your current post-completion OPT employment authorization expires.  Your application will be denied if you do not file your application with USCIS within 60 days of the date that your STEM OPT I-20 is issued. 

You may not apply for STEM OPT extensions during the 60-day grace period of post-completion OPT.

Use the following tools to help you calculate your specific application period:

• 24-Month STEM OPT Calculator Sheet
• 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Timeline 

Continuation of Employment

USCIS may take up to 90 days to process your application. If you file your OPT STEM extension application in a timely manner, you will receive an extension of employment authorization while your application is pending for up to 180 days, or the date of the decision over your request, whichever date is earlier.

Step 1
Review the 24-Month STEM OPT Tutorial

Step 2
Prepare your 24- MONTH STEM OPT Extension Application Materials:

• Completed 24-Month STEM OPT Calculator and completed 24-MONTH STEM OPT Extension Request form. Scanned forms will not be accepted. Forms filled out by hand will not be accepted.
• Job offer letter from an employer that is registered with the E-Verify Program and has an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Completed Form I-983 pages 1-4 only. The STEM OPT student and their E-Verified employer must work together to complete this form before applying for the STEM OPT extension. Only Verified, electronic signatures & written signatures will be acceptable in this form. Refer to Step 1 for additional help in filling out Form I-983. 
• Completed Employer Attestation Form. Only Verified, electronic signatures & written signatures will be acceptable in this form. 
• Personal check or money order for $410 Made payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Click here to see how to fill out a check or money order.
• Two identical ID Photos no more than 30 days old— U.S. passport style. Click here for Photo Guidelines.
• Form G-1145 E-Notification of Application 
• Form I-765 (Original, non-scanned) with supporting documents listed below. Scanned versions of this form are acceptable. Only written signatures are accepted in this form. Click here to review Tips to fill out Form I-765.
• Copy of Passport information/photo page (valid for at least 6 months)
• Copy of your F-1 Visa
• Copy of all previously issued EAD cards (front and back)
• I-94 Card (front & back of paper card or electronic print out)
• Copy of your qualifying U.S. Degree
• Copy of your official transcripts (for your qualifying U.S. Degree)

Step 3
Submit evidence of eligibility to the DSO to obtain your STEM OPT I-20. Use the 24-Month STEM OPT Online Submission Tool and allow 15 business days for the processing of your request.

Step 4
File the complete Application for Work Authorization an all supporting documents to USCIS in a timely manner. Your application will be denied if you do not file with USCIS within 60 days of the date that your STEM OPT I-20 is issued. Use the STEM OPT Cover Sheet you will receive with your new I-20 to complete this step.

Step 5
USCIS reviews the application and makes a decision. You should expect your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to arrive within 90 days of your receipt date.

• Within three weeks from filing, you will receive a Receipt Notice of Action (Form I-797) in the mail with your case number.
• Use the case number to check the status of your application online at CASE STATUS ONLINE
• If you have any issues while your application is pending make sure you contact an International Student Advisor.

As long as you file your OPT STEM extension application in a timely manner, you will automatically receive an extension of employment authorization for up to 180 days while your application is pending. There is no other confirmation for this extension except STEM OPT I-20, which will indicate the authorization to continue.

Look at Form I-983_CSULB pre-filled document or Students and the Form I-983 in the STEM OPT Hub.

$410 U.S. Dollars

You can update the employer. Please follow these steps:

• Submit a new form I-983 signed by new employer to CIE.
• Submit an employment and address update form to CIE. You can access the STEM OPT Employment & Address Update Form from our website and receive an updated I-20.
• Sign and make a copy of the updated I-20.
• Write a Cover Letter addressed to USCIS explaining the change of employer and asking them to update your application. The memo should include among other things: your full name, SEVIS ID number, and receipt number.
• Mail the following documents to the Service Center currently processing your request. The correct address will be listed in your Receipt Notice (Form I-797 Notice of Action):
  • Cover letter
  • Copy of your receipt notice.
  • Copy of updated I-20
  • Updated form I-765
  • Offer letter from new employer with E-verify number

Submit the STEM OPT Employment and address update form to CIE to report:

• Change of Address
• Change of Employer or termination of employment  
• Validation Report   
• Annual self-evaluation     
• Material changes to Form I-983
• End of STEM OPT

The filing deadline is the date when USCIS must receive your application. On the other hand, when you request your extension, it means that you are submitting your STEM OPT request to CIE to input the STEM OPT recommendation in your SEVIS record.

Yes, you will be expected to follow all 24-Month STEM OPT regulations from the day you file your application to USCIS including all mandatory reporting requirements.