17-Month OPT STEM Extension
UCI International Center
Where to Find Information for
STEM OPT
In addition to the information
contained in this presentation, please
review the online STEM OPT
information at www.ic.uci.edu
(under Current F-1 Students Tab)
Eligibility Requirements
1.
Students currently on OPT who hold a STEM degree (science, technology,
engineering, mathematics) are eligible to apply for a 17-month OPT extension.
To find out if your degree qualifies, visit
http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stem-list.pdf
You can find your CIP code (Classification of Instructional Programs) on the third
page of your I-20.
The student’s employer MUST be registered in the government-sponsored EVerify program. For more information on the E-Verify program, visit
http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
Additional requirements:
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You can only apply before the end date of your EAD card.
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You can apply as early as 4 months (120 days) before the end date on your EAD card.
The student agrees to report any change of name, address, or interruption of employment
to the International Center.
Employment must be directly related to the student’s major area of study.
Has not received a 17-month OPT extension previously after earning a STEM degree.
STEM Application Steps
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Confirm that your degree qualifies for the 17-month extension.
Turn in a complete application to the International Center as early as
4 months (120 days) before your current EAD card expires.
Once the International Center reviews your application, a new I-20
will be generated. Without this I-20, USCIS will NOT approve your
request for the extension.
Mail your OPT application along with new I-20 to USCIS.
NOTE: YOUR APPLICATION FOR OPT STEM EXTENSION MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THE
EXPIRATION DATE OF YOUR EAD CARD. NO EXCEPTIONS!
17-Month Extension Timeline
1st Year of OPT
Start of OPT
same as
start date on
EAD card
4 months
BEFORE EAD
card expires: First
day eligible to
apply for 17Month Extension
17-Month Extension
11 ½ MONTHS:
Last day eligible to
turn in your
application to the
International
Center.
Required Items for a
Complete STEM Application
Materials needed for OPT STEM Application:
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Two 2”x2” U.S. passport-sized photos
OPT Student Agreement form (this can be found on our website)
I-765 Form – This form MUST be typed and printed in BLACK ink!
Copy of Passport Biographical Page
Copy of F-1 Visa
I-94 Document
Copy of most current I-20 reflecting your initial OPT dates
Copy of front and back of EAD card
Copy of your UCI diploma
OPT Employment Update form (found on our website)
NOTE: DO NOT SUBMIT AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION.
All the required documents above MUST be included when applying.
Completing the I-765 Form
• The I-765 Form is available through the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) website.
• Make sure you are using the latest
edition.
• The date can be found at the top,
right hand corner.
Completing the I-765 Form
Name should match what is listed in your
passport.
Leave blank if you have not used other names
Use your personal address if this will be your address
for the next 5 months. Otherwise, use a friend’s address
where your mail can be kept safe. Use the name of the
person who will receive your notifications as follows:
C/O: MICKEY MOUSE, 123 DISNEY DRIVE
Your country of citizenship/nationality
If you don’t have a Social Security Number,
please leave this blank.
Mark YES. List the dates noted on your EAD card
from Post-Completion OPT.
This date is listed on your most recent I-94
List the place you last entered into the U.S.
If you entered as an F-1 student, write F-1
Student. If your last entry to the U.S. was in
another visa status, list that visa status.
Completing the I-765 Form
List F-1 STUDENT
You are applying for OPT STEM
17-Month Extension, please list
list: (C) (3) (C)
List the name and type of your degree.
List the name of your employer.
List your company’s E-Verify Number.
Completing the I-765 Form
Make sure your signature is small and does
not overlap the text above, or the line
below.
Complete this section ONLY if someone
else is completing this form for you.
Otherwise, leave this blank.
YOU ARE DONE WITH THE I-765 FORM,
PLEASE COMPLETE THE REST OF THE STEM
OPT APPLICATION AND MAKE PLANS TO
VISIT THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER.
How to Submit Your
OPT STEM Application
• You are required to meet with an advisor to review your STEM OPT
application.
• Submit your completed STEM OPT application during a Employment HandIn Session
• These sessions are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00am to 11:00am
• Other ways to submit your STEM OPT application:
• Schedule an appointment to meet with an International Student Advisor
by calling 949.824.7249
• Write a letter to authorize a friend to submit your STEM OPT application
on your behalf during the hours listed above.
• This letter must include: your name, the name of the application, a
statement of permission and the name of the friend submitting your
application. Please sign and date this letter.
• If you are unable to come to our office, please contact the International
Center for alternative arrangements for OPT STEM application
submission.
Unemployment During
STEM OPT
• During your OPT STEM period, you may not be
unemployed for more than 120 days (this includes
time from your Post-Completion OPT period).
• Report any change of address, employment or
unemployment to the International Center as soon
as possible.
• You will need to submit an OPT Employment Update
form (found on the IC website), by submitting to the
International Center Front Desk, or email it to
internationalcenter@uci.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to get the 17-Month
OPT authorization?
A: Approximately 60-90 days. This does not include
the 7 business days of processing time at the
International Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I am currently in Pre-Completion OPT. Do I need to apply
for Post-Completion OPT and then for the 17-Month
Extension?
A: Yes – each OPT requires a new application. One for PreCompletion OPT, a second for Post-Completion OPT, and a third for
the 17-Month Extension. Each application requires the payment of
$380.
– You cannot turn in all applications at once.
– Each application must be turned in within the permissible time.
– Pre- and Post-Completion OPT can be turned in 90 days prior to
your graduation date.
– The 17-Month Extension application can be turned in as early
as 120 days prior to the end date of your EAD card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if my I-20 has a program listed as
“Multidisciplinary Other” as the major, but my official
degree at UCI will list Masters in Computer and
Information Sciences? Will my degree certificate
prove that I am a STEM student?
A: This can be a problem. Prior to your graduation
date, you should update the International Center
with your actual degree. Your I-20 should always
reflect the degree you will be receiving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My minor is in the STEM list; can I still apply
for the 17-Month Extension?
A: No – only a conferred Bachelor, Master, and
Doctoral degrees qualify for the 17-Month
Extension.
Further Questions & Information
For questions, please e-mail the International Center
staff at internationalcenter@uci.edu
or call our main line at (949) 824-7249.
Thank You!