STEM OPT Extension

• STEM OPT Extension is not a new immigration status; it is an extension of work authorization that is available to eligible F-1 students 
• Students must meet eligibility to receive a STEM OPT Extension Recommended I-20 from ISSS before applying to USCIS for STEM OPT Extension; refer to the application steps below 
• The duration of STEM OPT Extension is 24 months  

Student requirements:

• Be in a valid period of F-1 Post Completion OPT 
• Graduated from a STEM-designated degree program 
• Work for an employer who meets the following requirements: 
• Enrolled in E-verify  
• Has a valid EIN (Employer Identification Number)  
• Maintains a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student 

Employment requirements:

• Unpaid volunteer positions do not qualify for STEM OPT Extension.  
• Each employment position must be a minimum of 20 hours per week. 
• Self-employment is generally not allowed for STEM OPT Extension. 
• Employment with multiple employers is permitted; however, each employment must meet the STEM OPT Extension requirements.  
• All employment must be directly related to your field of study.  

• The application window for STEM OPT Extension opens 90 days prior to the current OPT employment authorization end date. The application window closes on the current OPT employment authorization end date. 
• USCIS must receive the STEM OPT Extension application before the current OPT expires.  
• Applications to USCIS must be completed within 60 days from the issuance of the STEM OPT Extension Recommended I-20. 
  • Note: The “STEM OPT Extension Recommended I-20″ request in ISSS Connect will become available to you around 90 days before your current EAD card end date. 
• If your current OPT employment authorization expires while your STEM OPT Extension application is still pending, USCIS will automatically extend your employment authorization for 180 days as long as your application was received during your application window. 

Ensure you have the funds available to apply for STEM OPT Extension. The current costs to apply for STEM OPT Extension are listed below:  

• Required USCIS Application Fee: $470  
• Optional Premium Processing Fee: $1,685 
  • For additional details, view the “Understand adjudication times and the Premium Processing option” section below. 

• Adding premium processing to a STEM OPT Extension application is optional and has an additional cost. Refer to the “Costs to apply” section for more information.   
• The current premium processing policy states that applicants who apply with premium processing will have their application reviewed within 30 days of the premium processing submission.  
• If you are considering using premium processing, it is best practice to submit your STEM OPT Extension application with premium processing. In the I-765 form, you will select “Yes” to the premium processing option and the premium processing fee will be included when completing your payment.  
• It is possible to add premium processing after submitting your STEM OPT Extension application. To do this, follow the steps at the bottom of the USCIS page under “How do I file a request for premium processing?”  
• The 30-day review clock begins the day premium processing is added to an application.  

• Watch the video above for a few tips on drafting the form I-983. 
• Read the Form I-983 Overview webpage and download the form and instructions available on the webpage. 
• Complete the first page of the form I-983 and sign it yourself and work with your employer to complete pages 2-4; page 5 must be left blank for future use. 

• Watch the video above for a few tips on drafting the form I-765 and printing the Draft Snapshot.  
• Draft the online form I-765 in your USCIS portal.  
  • Make sure you answer all questions accurately on the form. Double check your spelling, numbers, and date formatting.   
  • Do not complete the payment portion of the online form I-765 without a STEM OPT Extension Recommended I-20 as this will submit your application; your application is not complete without that I-20 and will be denied.  
  • Upload the following documents under “Evidence” in your online form I-765:   
    • Validated passport-style 2×2 photo taken within the past 30 days  
    • I-94   
    • Passport  
    • Visa 
    • Copies of all the previous EAD cards  
    • The diploma completed at UWM 
    • STEM OPT Extension Recommended I-20 
  • Note: Only students who are applying for STEM OPT extension based on a previously completed degree from another university need to upload evidence under “Institution Accreditation”. If you are applying for STEM OPT extension based on your degree completed at UWM, you don’t need to upload anything in this section. 
• Print the Draft Snapshot of your online form I-765  
  • In the middle of your Application Summary page, click on “View Draft Snapshot”.   
  • You will upload this document as part of your STEM OPT Extension Recommended I-20 Request. 

• If your physical address changes, you must update your Mailing Address in PAWS under the “Mailing” field.  
• If the Mailing Address you listed on your I-765 has changed, use the link in your USCIS portal to update that Mailing Address. 

• Timely filed STEM OPT Extension applications to USCIS should result in an extension of your employment authorization for up to 180 days from your OPT EAD card end date.

• If your application is not approved once the 180-day extension ends, you no longer have valid employment authorization and must wait for adjudication of your STEM OPT Extension application. 

• You may change your employment while the STEM OPT extension is pending; however, we can’t comment on whether it will complicate your pending STEM application. 
• The new employment must meet all STEM OPT Extension employment requirements, including that the employer has a valid E-Verify number. 
• You must complete a new I-983 for the new employment and report your new employment in your ISSS Connect Portal within 10 days of beginning the employment. 
• Report the completion of the old employment with I-983 final evaluation in your ISSS Connect portal within 10 days. 
• You will be issued an updated STEM OPT Extension recommended I-20 reflecting the updated employment. 
• You must upload the updated I-20 with an explanation letter in your USCIS portal under “Unsolicited documents” section in your pending STEM OPT Extension application. 

• Your USCIS portal will indicate when your EAD card has been sent to you; normal mailing time is two weeks.  
• If the tracking information shows your EAD card has been delivered, but you have not received the EAD card, make an appointment with an Immigration Coordinator.  
• If your EAD card is lost, you may need to file a replacement application; email isss@uwm.edu for more information. 

You can consider adding Premium Processing to your application; more information is available in the “Understand adjudication times and the Premium Processing option” in the Prepare for your STEM OPT Extension Application section.