STEM Extension

You may be eligible if ALL of the following statements are true:

• I am currently working on approved post-completion OPT based upon a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited, SEVP-certified U.S. institution in a STEM field.
  • You can determine if your degree qualifies as a STEM field by checking if your major CIP code (6-digit number found on page 1 of your I-20 under "MAJOR 1") appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List.
  • Students who have completed all coursework except thesis/dissertation may also be eligible for a STEM Extension.
  • Students whose current post-completion OPT is based upon a non-STEM degree, but who have previously earned a STEM degree may also be eligible for a STEM extension (See "24-Month STEM Extension Based on Prior Degree" section below).
• I have a paid job for at least 20 hours per week with an E-Verify employer (E-Verify Employers Search Tool).
• I am not self-employed. A student applying for 24-Month STEM Extension cannot act as both employer and employee.
• I have completed a Form I-983 Training Plan with my employer.
• I have maintained my F-1 status and reported any changes in my address or employer to ISSS.
• I have not exceeded the limit of two STEM extensions per lifetime.
• If this is my second STEM Extension, it is based upon a degree at a higher level.
• I will apply for the STEM Extension before the expiration date of my current OPT, but no more than 90 days prior.

24-Month STEM Extension Based on Prior Degree

The STEM regulations allow F-1 students to file for a 24-Month STEM Extension based upon a prior degree. This allows students who have earned a STEM degree to pursue a higher level of study in a complementary non-STEM field. For example, a student who has earned a Bachelor's in Information Technology that goes on to earn a Master's in Public Health could be eligible for the 24-month STEM Extension. However, the job which is the basis for the STEM Extension must directly relate to the prior STEM degree.

You may be eligible for the 24-Month STEM Extension based on a prior degree if the prior STEM degree:

• was conferred less than 10 years ago
• was conferred by a currently accredited and SEVP-certified U.S. institution
• is currently on the STEM Designated Degree Program List

Step 1: Determine if you are eligible.
Read through the information in the above section of this website and determine if you are eligible for STEM Extension. If you are unsure if you are eligible for STEM Extension or have questions about the application process, please contact ISSS.

Step 2: Complete Form I-983 with your STEM employer (without signatures) and submit a Form I-983 Review request in the ISSS Portal.

It is very important that the Form I-983 is complete and accurate. Submitting the Form I-983 Review request will ensure the information in the form is accurate prior to having the document signed, so you will not need to go back multiple times to your employer to request updated signatures.

To get an overview of Form I-983 and a step-by-step guide to complete it, watch the below video recording.

Please review the following resources to help you properly complete Form I-983:

• I-983 Sample for Illinois State University Students (Please utilize this resource! It explains exactly how the document should be completed and what issues will cause it to be rejected.)
• Form I-983 Overview
• Form I-983 Instructions

Step 3: Submit a STEM Extension request in the ISSS Portal.
Please note: Applications will not be accepted more than ten business days in advance of your earliest filing date (90 days prior to your EAD card end date). This policy is in place to help avoid application denials due to timing errors.

• After your Form I-983 Review request is approved and processed by ISSS, make sure the Form I-983 is properly signed and dated by all parties and upload it to your STEM Extension request . Signatures can be physical or electronic. If electronic, they must either be produced with software programs or applications (such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign) or be a digitally reproduced copy of a signature.
• Your STEM Extension request will not be processed until ISSS has approved and processed your Form I-983 Review request .
• ISSS will review your STEM Extension request within 10 business days and issue you a new I-20 document that reflects our recommendation for STEM Extension and lists the requested employment information on page 2.
  • The STEM Extension status on your I-20 will say Requested. ISSS will not provide you with an updated I-20 that says Pending or Approved unless you make an update to your employer information.

Step 4: Sign in to your USCIS online account and get started on your I-765.
F-1 students seeking STEM Extension can file Form I-765 online. If you filed your Post-Completion OPT I-765 online, then you should already have a USCIS account. To file online, you must create or sign in to your USCIS online account at https://myaccount.uscis.gov/. This free account allows you to submit your I-765 form online, pay the application fee, track your case status, communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox, and respond to Requests for Evidence.

While you are waiting for ISSS to process your  Form I-983 Review request  and  STEM Extension request , you can begin filling out your I-765 online. Just be sure you DO NOT SUBMIT the I-765 until you receive your new STEM I-20 from ISSS. Your new I-20 must be uploaded to your I-765.

Step 5: Gather your STEM Extension application materials.
For full details of what is required for your STEM Extension application, please visit the USCIS website. The following list of application materials is provided for your convenience and is not meant to replace the official instructions listed on the USCIS website. All files must be saved as one of the following acceptable file formats: JPG, JPEG, PDF, TIF, or TIFF and must not exceed the maximum file size of 6MB.

• Form I-765 filing fee (this must be submitted using a credit card, debit card, or ACH withdrawal from a U.S. checking or savings account)
• One passport-size photo taken within the last 30 days
  • You cannot reuse an old visa or passport photo.
  • The travel.state.gov website has a useful Photo Tool that can help verify your photo meets USCIS requirements.
• Digital copy of your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD card; front and back)
• Digital copy of your passport
• I-94 Record - This record changes every time you reenter the U.S. Make sure you have the most recent copy.
• Digital copies of any previously issued OPT/CPT I-20 documents
  • You must upload any previously issued I-20s showing CPT or OPT authorization (appears on page 2). This includes I-20s from any previous U.S. schools you have attended.
• Digital copy of your new STEM Extension OPT I-20 document
  • You must upload a digital version of the I-20 issued by ISSS (from Step 4 above)
• Official transcripts showing your STEM degree conferral (Please Note: Your ISU Diploma is insufficient; please do not upload your diploma)

Step 6: Sign your new I-20 from ISSS.
You will be notified via email when your new STEM I-20 is ready. Your I-20 will be uploaded digitally In the Control Center (Documents section) of your ISSS Portal. You must print and sign your new I-20 (in ink).

Step 7: Submit your STEM Extension I-765 application online.
See the  Tips for Filing Online   section below for important details.

ISSS highly recommends that you file online. If you prefer to send a paper application, you can refer to the STEM Extension Application Checklist and the I-765 Direct Filing Addresses page of the USCIS website to find the appropriate address to use.

Premium Processing

Premium processing (Form I-907) provides expedited processing for certain USCIS forms. For an additional fee, you may apply for premium processing while initially filing for STEM Extension or while the application is pending. If properly filed, premium processing gurantees USCIS will take adjudicative action on your I-765 within 30 calendar days. This means that within 30 calendar days USCIS will take one of the following actions on your case:

• issue an approval notice
  issue a denial notice
  issue a notice of intent to deny
  issue a request for evidence
  open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation

IMPORTANT: Premium processing does not guarantee your EAD card will be produced and arrive within the 30-day deadline.

• The 30-calendar-day premium processing timeframe does not include the time it takes to produce your EAD.
  
• After USCIS approves your Form I-765, your EAD should be produced within one to two weeks.
  
• When your card arrives will vary depending on USPS delivery times.

ISSS will not review I-765 applications as you as the applicant are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of your application. These tips are provided for your convenience. They should not be viewed as legal advice and are not meant to replace the official instructions listed on the USCIS website.

Getting Started

• What is your eligibility category? - Choose (c)(3)(C) STEM Extension
• What is your degree? - Enter your STEM-qualifying degree name and level as it appears on your official transcript. This field has a 40-character limit; if needed, abbreviate and use the Additional Information section to enter the full degree name and level.
• What is your employer's name as listed in E-Verify? - Consult with your employer to confirm the exact name as it appears in E-Verify
  • There is a 40-character limit to this field. If needed, shorten or abbreviate the name and use the Additional Information section to clarify your response with the full name.
• What is your employer's E-Verify company identification number or a valid E-Verify client company identification number? - Consult with your employer to confirm the exact number.
  • This should be a 4-7 digit number.
  • Do not enter the company's Employment Identification Number (EIN). The EIN is not the same as the E-Verify number.
• What is your reason for applying? - Choose "Renewal of permission to accept employment"
• Have you previously filed Form I-765? - Choose "Yes"

About You

• What is your current U.S. mailing address? - Enter a U.S. mailing address that will remain VALID for the next 1-4 months. If you do not have an address that will remain valid, you can enter the address of a family member or friend and enter their name in the "In Care Of Name" field. You can list a U.S. Post Office address (P.O. box) as your mailing address if that is how you receive your mail.
• In care of name (if any) - Your name should not be entered into this field. Only fill out this field if you have entered the address of a family member or friend as your current U.S. mailing address.
• Place of Arrival - Your "Place of Arrival" is the location where you officially went through customs. You can find this by looking at your most recent entry stamp or your Travel History from the I-94 website.
• What is your travel document number (if any) - You can leave this field blank.
• What is your A-Number - Your A-Number is listed as the USCIS# on the front of your OPT EAD card.
• What is your USCIS Online Account Number? - Enter your USCIS Online Account Number. If this if your first time filing an online form with USCIS, you will not have a USCIS Account Number yet.
• Has the Social Security Administration (SSA) ever officially issued a Social Security card to you" - Choose "Yes" and enter your SSN.

Evidence

• Employment Authorization Document or Government ID - Upload a copy of the front and back of your EAD card AND your passport picture page.
• I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status - Upload a digital version of your STEM Extension I-20 issued by ISSS (from Step 4 above). Make sure YOU have signed the I-20 document before uploading. Your signature must be a wet signature and cannot be a digital signature. Make sure to upload both page 1 & 2 of your I-20 document.
• College Degree - upload your official transcript showing your STEM degree conferral (Please Note: Your ISU Diploma is insufficient; please do not upload your diploma)
• Institutional Accreditation - This field will not apply to most students. It is only required if your STEM Extension application is based on a prior degree (not the degree for which you are currently on OPT). For example, you are on OPT based upon your MBA from ISU, but you are basing your STEM application on a Bachelor's degree in Statistics that you earned from another U.S. institution. If this applies to you, contact the school that conferred your STEM-eligible degree for proof of accreditation.
  • If your previously earned STEM degree was conferred byIllinois State University, the
    accreditation information can be found on the Higher Learning Commission website.
    Please print the action letter.

Additional Information

• Use this section to explain, clarify, or elaborate on your responses or the documents you uploaded as evidence.

Review and Submit

• Review your application carefully for completeness and accuracy before submitting. It is your responsibility, as the applicant, to ensure the accuracy and completeness of your I-765 application.
• Before paying the application fee, confirm your current OPT has not expired and you are still within the 60-day window after the date your OPT I-20 was issued. Do not submit if you are outside of this window and contact your ISSS Advisor immediately.
• Once your payment has been processed, your application will be considered submitted, and you cannot make any further edits.
• Immediately after submtting your application, you will be able to click on "Go to my cases" and click on the "Documents" tab to view your Receipt Notice.

STEM Extension Receipt Notice

Immediately after submitting your online I-765 application, you should see confirmation on the screen that your I-765 was successfully submitted.

• Click on Go to my cases and navigate to the Documents tab to download your Receipt Notice and a pdf of your completed I-765 form.
• Upload your STEM Extension Receipt Notice to your ISSS Portal by submitting a STEM Extension Receipt Notice Upload (found in your Control Center).
• Within two weeks of submitting online, you should also receive a paper Receipt Notice (Form I-797) in the mail.

USCIS Processing Time

USCIS, not ISSS, is reponsible for processing your I-765 application for STEM Extension. Therefore, ISSS has no influence or control over USCIS processing times.

• STEM Extension processing times can vary. There is no guarantee USCIS will process your application within a specific time frame.
• You can check your case status by logging into your USCIS Account and navigating to the Case Status tab of your I-765 application. ISSS recommends you set your account notifications to receive both text messages and emails and login to your account on a weekly basis to check for updates or action items.
• If you filed your 24-Month STEM Extension application in a timely manner, you can continue to work for up to 180 days after the expiration date of your current EAD card, while your application is pending.
• If your application is adjudicated on or before your STEM Extension start date, then your EAD card should reflect your chosen date. However, if your case is adjudicated after the start date, then your EAD card start date should be the same as the date your case was adjudicated by USCIS.
• If your application has been pending more than 90 days, and you have not received your EAD card, you can call the USCIS Customer Service number listed on your Receipt Notice and ask that they open a service request. You can also submit a case inquiry for Outside Normal Processing Time online.

Premium Processing

Premium pr ocessing (Form I-907) provides expedited processing for certain USCIS forms. For an additional fee, you may apply for premium processing while initially filing for STEM Extension or while the application is pending. If properly filed, premium processing gurantees USCIS will take adjudicative action on your I-765 within 30 calendar days. This means that within 30 calendar days USCIS will take one of the following actions on your case:

• issue an approval notice
  issue a denial notice
  issue a notice of intent to deny
  issue a request for evidence
  open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation

IMPORTANT: Premium processing does not guarantee your EAD card will be produced and arrive within the 30-day deadline.

• The 30-calendar-day premium processing timeframe does not include the time it takes to produce your EAD.
  
• After USCIS approves your Form I-765, your EAD should be produced within one to two weeks.
  
• When your card arrives will vary depending on USPS delivery times.

Changing Employers While Application Pending

If you change employers while your application is still pending with USCIS, you should submit an OPT/STEM Employer Update request in the ISSS Portal. ISSS will update your I-20 to reflect your new employer and you can upload your new I-20 your USCIS Account.

Address Changes

While your STEM Extension application is pending, you must report any changes in address to both ISSS and USCIS within ten days of moving to the new address. It is also important to update USPS with any changes of address to ensure the proper delivery of your EAD card.

• Update your address in your SEVP Portal.
  • Alert ISSS of this address update by submitting a Request Inquiry  in the ISSS Portal or by submitting an OPT/STEM Employer Update request  if you are reporting a change in employer information when your address changes.
• Update USCIS by updating your address in your USCIS online account.
• Update the United States Postal Service (USPS).
  • Complete an Official USPS Change of Address form online.
  • Sign up for Informed Delivery.

EAD Card

• If you created a USCIS account and signed up for case status updates, you should automatically be notified via email when your application has been approved and your EAD card has been sent to production and shipped.
• Your USCIS Account should provide the USPS tracking number for the envelope containing your EAD card. Generally, your card will arrive within 10 days from being shipped.
• Once received, you should upload your EAD card to your ISSS Portal by submitting a STEM Extension EAD Card Upload (found in your Control Center).

EAD Card Issues

Non-delivery

If the USCIS site shows that your card was delivered, but you have not yet received it, then you should contact your local post office. If you are still unable to locate the card:

• First, make sure that the address on file with USCIS is correct and update your address in your USCIS online account if needed.
• Then submit a case inquiry for Non-Delivery of Card online.
• Follow up in a few days by calling the USCIS Customer Service number listed on your Receipt Notice to check the status of your inquiry request.

Possible reasons for non-delivery:

• The address you provided was incorrect. For example, if you live in an apartment and you did not include the apartment number on the I-765, then the envelope may not be delivered.
• You requested USPS to forward your mail to a new address, and did not update your new address with USCIS. EAD cards are mailed by USPS as "Return Service Requested". This means they will not be forwarded to a new address.
• You updated your address with USCIS but did not change your address with USPS. EAD cards are mailed by USPS as "Return Service Requested". This means they will only be delivered if the individual named on the envelope is officially associated with the address on the envelope.

EAD Card Errors

After you receive your EAD card, you should look it over and make sure everything is correct. If you find any errors on the card, the process of correcting them depends upon the cause of the error:

• If the error was caused by USCIS, then the Notice of Action you received with your EAD card should have instructions on how to fix the error. You can also fill out the USCIS online typographical error form.
• If the error was caused by you (the applicant), then you must refile an entirely new I-765 OPT application with USCIS, including submitting the full filing fee again.

If you applied for your STEM Extension in a timely fashion, your OPT EAD card is considered automatically extended for 180 days. You can continue to work for up to 180 days after your current EAD card expiration, while your STEM Extension application is pending with USCIS.

Any job you take while on STEM must be:

• a paid position (volunteer and unpaid work is not permitted)
• at least 20 hours/week
• with an E-Verify employer
• directly related to your STEM degree
• based upon an employer-employee relationship
  • Self-employment not permitted: a student cannot be both the employer and the employee completing Form I-983.
  • The employer who signs the Form I-983 must be the same entity providing the training.
  • The person supervising and providing the training cannot be an employee/contractor of the employer's client/customer.

If you change jobs while on STEM, you must report the change to ISSS within 10 days (see the Reporting Requirements section for further details).

While on STEM Extension, you cannot exceed 150 days of unemployment for the entire 36 months (12 months of OPT + 24 months of STEM). Staying past the 150-day limit may be considered a violation of status by DHS and may result in the termination of your SEVIS record.

Cap Gap Extension

"Cap Gap" is a term used to describe the "gap" between the end of OPT/STEM Extension and the beginning of H-1B status with an employer subject to the H-1B "cap".

You are eligible for a Cap Gap Extension to your STEM employment if:

• Your employer timely filed an H-1B petition that was receipted before the end date of your STEM EAD AND
• Your employer is subject to the numerical "cap" AND
• The H-1B petition requested a change of status AND
• The H-1B petition requested an October 1st start date

IMPORTANT: If your H-1B petition was receipted after your STEM EAD card had expired (but before your 60-day grace period ended), then your are eligible for a Cap Gap Extension to your F-1 status, but not to your employment authorization. You can remain in the U.S. in F-1 status, but you cannot work during the "gap" period.

F-1 students who are eligible for Cap Gap and would like a new I-20 printed reflecting the extension of their status/employment should submit a Cap Gap request in the ISSS Portal.

Your are NOT eligible for a Cap Gap Extension if:

• Your employer is cap-exempt OR
• Your H-1B petition requested "consular processing" OR
• Your H-1B petition requested a start date other than October 1st OR
• Your H-1B petition was filed after your 60-day grace period expired (if this occurs, USCIS will likely deny the change of status portion of the petition, and you will be required to travel to change status.)

In the STEM Final Rule, Department of Homeland Security states that students currently on STEM Extension (or who have a STEM Extension application pending) may travel abroad and seek reentry in F-1 status. When traveling outside of the US on STEM Extension OPT, ISSS recommends you carry the following documentation upon reentry to the US:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of reentry
• Valid F-1 Visa that permits multiple entries
• I-20 will a valid DSO travel signature on page 2 (the signature is only valid for 6 months from the date it was signed)
• EAD card
• Proof of employment that you will begin or resume upon return from your trip such as a job offer letter, work contract, or proof of payment from employer

Request a Travel Signature

If the travel signature on page 2 of your most recent I-20 has expired, you can request a new signature by completing the Travel Signature Request in the ISSS Portal.

Travel While Application Pending

The regulations state that your expired EAD card is essentially extended for 180 days past the end date while your STEM application is pending. When you are traveling, be sure to carry your expired EAD card, along with the items listed above, and anything you have received from USCIS in response to your pending STEM Extension application.