INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES17 Month OPT for Science Technology Enigineering or Mathmatics (STEM)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the 17-Month STEM Extension
What is the 17-Month STEM Extension?
This program is only available for certain F-1 students who have completed a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and are currently on the 12-Month Standard OPT working in a paid job for a company (E-Verify Employer) directly related to the major field of study.
Who is eligible for the 17-Month STEM Extension?
F-1 students who completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a STEM field and are currently engaged in post-completion OPT may apply for the STEM extension if they have a job or job offer from an E-Verify employer.
How does a student or DSO know which degrees are designated as STEM degrees?
The STEM Designated Degree Programs List is on the SEVP Web site:
www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm
Can a student qualify for the 17-Month STEM Extension based on the student’s minor?
No.
E-Verify
What is meant by E-Verify Employer?
To qualify for the 17-Month STEM Extension a student must work for an E-Verify company. This means that the company has to comply with certain U.S. government regulations regarding reporting status of all employees. There is currently no listing of employers that are E-Verified so that student has to inquire and determine that on their own.
How do employers enroll in E-Verify?
The USCIS Web site has information on E-Verify and the enrollment procedures at www.uscis.gov/everify
How to Apply & Questions about Application?
You are eligible to apply for a 17-Month STEM Extension if you meet all of the following conditions:
· You are currently approved for post-completion OPT.
· You completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field. Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website for the STEM Designated Degree Program List .
· You have a job or job offer from an E-Verify employer.
Once you have verified that you are eligible to apply for the 17-Month STEM Extension
Call OISS at 651-962-6650 and make an appointment to meet with an OISS Advisor. Please bring the following documents to your 17-Month STEM Extension Application Appointment:
· Form I-765, to be downloaded from USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765_form.pdf. Check the box: “Renewal of my permission to accept employment”
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Question 16: Eligibility code (c) (3) (C)
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Question 17: List degree, employer name and Employer’s E-Verify Number
§ Unexpired passport
§ I‐94 (front & back)
§ Copies of previous I‐20s with any OPT and CPT authorized
§ Copy of current unexpired EAD (Employment Authorization Document/Card with valid OPT dates)‐(front & back)
§ Copy of Proof of UST degree completion (Either a transcript or Diploma)
§ Screen print of E‐Verify Information of Employer – Suggested in recent correspondence to show proof of employer’s compliance with E‐Verify and show the name as it appears in the Department of Homeland Security system.
§ $340 Check or Money Order made to US Department of Homeland Security
§ Recent passport style photo‐must be within 30 days that meets EAD guidelines: http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/composition/composition_874.html
§ Letter from your employer stating the following information on letterhead:
Your title
You e‐mail address
Your supervisor’s name
Your supervisor’s contact information
Your employers company name and address)
Do I need a job offer in order to apply for the 17-Month STEM Extension?
Yes, you must have a job offer to apply and the employer must be E-Verify.
Can a student who has previously earned a degree in a STEM field and has now earned a non-STEM degree apply for the 17-Month STEM Extension?
No. The 17-Month STEM Extension must be based on the same degree as that which serves as the basis for the post-completion OPT.
When does a student need to file for the 17-Month STEM Extension?
The student must ensure that the Form I-765, the supporting evidence and the fee payment reach the proper USCIS Service Center before his or her current OPT expires. USCIS recommends that students file within 90 and 120 days of the expiration date of the current OPT. The filing is done with the DSO at the college/university that the regular 12-Month Standard OPT was filed. A new I-20 must also be created by the DSO.
Can a student apply for the STEM extension when he or she is within a period of cap-gap OPT extension? (New or Revised)
Yes. A student can apply for the STEM extension during the cap-gap extension of OPT. The student will need to have his or her employer request withdrawal of the approved or pending H-1B petition in time for USCIS to effectively accept the withdrawal prior to the October 1 start date in order to avoid changing status to H-1B on that date.
To avoid a denial based on the scheduled expiration of post-completion OPT, a student should include mention (and supporting evidence) of his/her cap-gap OPT extension when filing during the cap-gap period.
What documents will meet the USCIS requirement on the Form I-765 for a copy of a student’s degree?
The student may provide one of the following documents in order to meet the requirement:
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Official transcripts
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Unofficial transcripts
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Copy of the diploma showing the level and program of study
What does a student need to know about an employer in order to complete the Form I-765 when applying for the 17-Month STEM Extension?
The student must have the employer’s name as listed in E-Verify and the employer’s E-Verify company identification number or a valid E-Verify client company identification number. This information must be listed in Item 17 of the Form I-765.
When does a student’s period of the 17-Month STEM Extension start?
If the student has properly filed for a STEM extension, the student’s period of 17-Month STEM Extension starts the day after the expiration of the student’s original period of 12-Month Standard OPT.
Can a student work with an expired employment authorization document while a 17-Month STEM Extension is pending?
Yes. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(11)(i)(C) and 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(6)(iv) automatically extends a student’s work authorization for up to 180 days while the student’s 17-Month STEM Extension application is pending.
Can a student change employers while the 17-Month STEM Extension application is pending with USCIS? (New or Revised)
Yes. However, if the 17-Month STEM Extension period has started, the employer must also be an E-Verify employer. The student must report the change in employment to his or her DSO. The DSO must update the student’s employer information in SEVIS and the student should submit an amended Form I-765 to the appropriate USCIS Service Center, providing the new employer’s E-Verify number and a copy of the USCIS receipt notice for the first Form I-765. A brief letter explaining the submission should also be included.
Student Responsibilities
What are the student’s responsibilities while on the 17-Month STEM Extension?
A student pursing a period of 17-Month STEM Extension must:
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Work in a paid position for an E-Verify employer at least 20 hours per week
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Work in a position related to the STEM degree
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Report to the DSO within 10 days of:
· Legal name change
· Change in residential or mailing address
· Change in employer, providing the employer name and employer address
· Loss of employment
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Send the DSO a validation report every six months starting from the date the STEM extension starts and ending when the student’s F-1 status ends or the STEM extension ends, whichever is first. The validation report is due to the DSO within 10 days of each reporting date and must include the student’s:
· Full legal name
· SEVIS identification number (if requested by the school)
· Current mailing and residential address
· Name and address of the current employer
· Date the student began working for the current employer
A student pursing a period of 17-Month STEM Extension must not:
· Work for any employer that is not an E-Verify employer
· Accrue more than 120 days of unemployment time during the entire period of 12-Month Standard post-completion OPT (regular post-completion OPT and STEM extension OPT)
Employment
What types of employment are allowed for students during the 17-Month STEM Extension?
Students authorized for the 17-Month STEM Extension must work at least 20 hours per week for an E-Verify employer in a position directly related to each individual student’s STEM degree. For students who are on a 17-Month STEM Extension, this employment may include:
· Paid Employment: All employment during the 17-Month STEM Extension must be paid employment. Volunteer experience does not count as employment for the purpose of maintaining F-1 status during the 17-Month STEM Extension.
· Multiple Employers: Students may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to each individual student’s degree program and all employers must be enrolled in E-Verify.
· Work for Hire: This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship. The company for whom the student is providing services must be registered with E-Verify. If requested by DHS, students must be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company.
· Self-Employed Business Owner: Students on a STEM extension can start a business and be self-employed. In this situation, the student must register his or her business with E-Verify and work full time. The student must be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to his or her degree program.
· Employment through an Agency or Consulting Firm: Students on a STEM extension may be employed by an employment agency or consulting firm. The employment agency or consulting firm must be registered with E-Verify, but the third parties contracting the agency or firm (for which the student is providing services) need not be.
Can students count volunteer experience as employment during the 17-Month STEM Extension? (New or Revised)
Students on a STEM extension are allowed to volunteer, incidental to their status. This means that volunteer work is allowed but does not count as employment for the purpose of maintaining F-1 status.
When can I start to work under the 17-Month STEM Extension?
You can begin your employment the day after the expiration date on your EAD card from your standard 12 month OPT provided you have applied for the 17-Month STEM Extension. You are eligible to work for up to 180 days while awaiting the EAD card for your 17-Month STEM Extension.
Unemployment
What are the limits on periods of unemployment during my 17-Month STEM Extension?
Students granted the 17-Month STEM Extension may not accrue an aggregate of more than 120 days of unemployment during the total 29-month OPT period. Thus within the 29 months (12+17) a student cannot exceed the 120 days of unemployment. If a student has exceeded 90 days of unemployment during the 12-Month Standard OPT they are not eligible for the 17-Month STEM Extension.
What counts as time unemployed?
Each day during your 17-Month STEM Extension where you do not have a qualifying employment counts as a day of unemployment. The only exception is the periods up to 10 days between the end of one job and the beginning of the next job will not be included in the time spent unemployed.
How does travel outside the United States impact the period of unemployment while on the 17-Month STEM Extension?
If you are on an approved 17-Month STEM Extension and you decide to travel outside of the U.S. while unemployed, the time spent outside the United States will count as unemployment against the 90/120-day limits. If a student travels while employed either during a period of leave authorized by an employer or as part of their employment, the time spent outside the United States will not count as unemployment.
Travel
Can the student travel outside of the United States if his or her employment authorization document expires and the 17-Month STEM Extension request is pending?
No. The student must wait to receive the new employment authorization document.
Can I travel outside the U.S. if I have a 17-Month STEM Extension approved?
You may travel outside of the U.S. after you have received your 17-Month STEM Extension EAD card. You will also need to carry with you a letter from your employer, a valid I-20 with a new travel signature, a valid F-1 visa, (other documents that you should carry with you will be discussed during your Advisor appointment) and you MUST meet with an OISS Advisor before you travel outside of the U.S. at least one week before your departure.
