OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
- 8 C.F.R. 214.2 (f) (10) (ii)
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It is defined as “ temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study”.
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Requires recommendation from ISSS Advisor/DSO.
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Requires Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS.
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May be authorized for up to 12 months:
1. Prior to degree completion: Part-time (20 hours or less per week).
2. Prior to degree completion and after completion of all coursework except for
thesis/dissertation: P art-time or Full-time.
3. After degree completion : Full-time recommendation.
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Does not require employment at the time of application, but requires employment within 90 days of the OPT start date in order to maintain F-1 status.
STEM Extension OPT
STEM Extension OPT is a 17-months extension of Post-completion Optional Practical Training
(OPT) for F-1 visa holders who are currently engaged in approved 12-months Post-completion
OPT based on specific Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) degree
programs as designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in
partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows participating employers to
electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. It is currently free and employers may register online at
https://www.vis-dhs.com/EmployerRegistration/StartPage.aspx?JS=YES .
STEM Extension OPT Eligiblity
To qualify, F-1 individual must meet the following criteria:
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Completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, (Refer to FAU Stem Degrees list).
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Currently engaged in post-completion OPT, working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student’s major area of study.
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Be employed by or have a job offer from an E-Verify employer.
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Have not accrued more than 90 days of unemployment during approved OPT period.
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Have never received a 17-month OPT extension after earning a STEM degree.
STEM Extension OPT Application Period
An application for STEM OPT extension may be filed anytime after the approval and before
expiration of initial post-completion OPT. The F-1 individual must ensure the Form I-765, the
required supporting evidence, and the fee payment reaches the proper USCIS Service Center
before his or her current OPT expires. USCIS recommends that students file within 90 - 120
days of the expiration date of the current OPT.
Students who timely file an application for the 17-month STEM OPT extension will be able to
continue employment while the extension application is pending, until the I-765 application is
adjudicated or for up to 180 days, whichever comes first. However, regardless of when the
STEM OPT authorization is received, the STEM OPT extension period will expire 17 months after the end of the initial post-completion OPT authorization. The total post-completion OPT period
(initial and STEM OPT) combined cannot exceed 29 months.
To view a list of eligible STEM Fields and majors, visit the USCIS website at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm
ISSS Notification Requirements during OPT
Persons engaged in OPT continue to be in F-1 status, and ISSS continues to have responsibility for maintaining these records throughout the duration of OPT. Students engaged in OPT must provide ISSS with the following information:
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Initial employment information within 90 days of the OPT start date.
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Report to ISSS every six months (confirm employment and current address).
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Consequent changes in employment.
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Changes of address (within 10 days of occurrence).
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Change of status to another category.
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Departure from the U.S. prior to the end date of OPT.
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Transfer of schools to begin a new academic program prior to OPT completion.
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Plans to travel outside the U.S. to renew F-1 visa.
