Applying for OPT 24-Month STEM Extension

There are now two ways to file a STEM Extension application: Filing an I-765 Online OR Mailing in a paper I-765 application. After the preliminary information directly below please see the newer online process is below and following that the traditional process for filing by mail.  Please meet with an ISSS advisor during a Zoom or in-person walk-in advising session if you have questions about either of these filing options.

Notice Regarding OPT Denials and USCIS

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may increase the denial of applications submitted to them that are missing application material or have forms that are not filled out completely and accurately. Very carefully review your forms I-765, I-983, and supporting documentation before you submit electronically or mail your application to avoid having your application denied. Make sure you do not officially submit an application until you have first received from an ISSS advisor an update I-20 that includes STEM extension information on the 2nd page.  You will not receive a refund from USCIS if a STEM application is submitted incorrectly or is denied.

What Do I Need to Know Before I Apply for the OPT Extension?

Who is Eligible for an OPT Extension?

The extension is available only to F-1 students currently authorized for and actively participating in the initial period of 12-month OPT who meet very specific criteria. These will be explained in further detail on this website:

  • Student must be currently participating in 12-month OPT based on a bachelor's degree or higher.
  • Degree must be in a specific STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) areas.
  • Degree must have been earned from a U.S. institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Completed extension application must be received by USCIS before the current 12-month OPT expires.
  • Must be working for an employer participating in E-Verify.
  • Student cannot have been authorized for more than one STEM extension previously.
  • Student has accrued fewer than 90 days of unemployment time during the current period of OPT.

How Do I Know if My Degree Program Qualifies?

The Department of Homeland Security publishes a "STEM Designated Program Degree" list found on their Study In the States STEM OPT Hub site. These six-digit codes are called CIP (Classification of Instructional Program) codes, and reflect the only majors eligible for a STEM extension.

Every major at the University of Iowa has a CIP code assigned. You can view the CIP code for your degree program by looking at the first page of your I-20, halfway down the form. It will list the name of your area (this is the name associated with the CIP code, and does not necessarily match the University of Iowa name for that program), such as "52.1304 Actuarial Science." If your CIP code is on the list, then you are eligible to apply for the extension. If it is not there, you are not eligible and there is nothing ISSS or the University of Iowa can do to assist you.

If you happen to have a third major that does not appear on the I-20 (it can only print two) then please consult an ISSS advisor and we can tell you what the CIP code for that additional major is. Remember that certificates, minors, and non-degree study are not eligible for OPT/STEM.

What About a Degree I Already Earned?

The new rule does permit eligibility for degrees previously earned.

  • For example, this could mean that a student completes regular 12-month OPT based on a degree in Art that they just earned. The Art degree is not eligible for a STEM extension, but the student also has a previous degree in Actuarial Science, which IS eligible. As long as the work being done during the STEM extension employment is directly related to Actuarial Science, then the student may be able to apply for the STEM extension based on that prior Actuarial Science degree instead of the recent Art degree.

This is a new provision that was never included in OPT before, so can be a little complex. Some things to keep in mind:

  • The prior degree must have been conferred within the 10 years preceding the date the DSO recommends the OPT STEM extension.
  • You must specify in the OPT STEM application that you are basing the application on a previously earned degree.
  • The degree must have been earned from an accredited and SEVIS-approved U.S. school. Degrees earned outside the U.S., including from U.S. satellite campuses in other countries, cannot be accepted. ISSS will verify accreditation status as part of the OPT STEM application process.
  • The degree must be bachelor's level or higher.
  • The major CIP code must be on the current STEM Designated Degree Program list mentioned above. It may be necessary for ISSS to communicate with your previous school in order to get the CIP code for that program.

What Types of Employment Are Not Permitted?

  • Self-employment and sole proprietorship
  • Volunteer/unpaid positions
  • Brief employment with multiple employers, such as occurs through contracting (it may be acceptable to work for up to two employers at the same time, providing both meet the OPT STEM extension criteria and an I-983 is filed for each)
  • Working for temp or placement agencies or consulting firms
  • Students cannot engage in OPT STEM extension employment and list another student currently on OPT or STEM OPT as supervisor/employer.
  • In order to qualify for OPT STEM extension, the student must be a “bona fide” and direct employee of the employer who completes the I-983

When Should I Apply for the OPT Extension?

You may apply for your OPT extension up to 90 days before your current OPT ends. You cannot apply once your 12-month OPT expires or during the 60-day grace period. Your complete OPT extension application must be received by USCIS before the expiration of your initial 12 months of OPT.

How Many Times Can I Get a STEM Extension?

Twice if your second application is based on earning a new degree at a higher level. You must first do a full year of 12-month OPT, then apply for the STEM extension.

  • For example, a student may earn a bachelor's degree and do 12 months of OPT, then do 24 months of STEM OPT. That student may then go back to school and do a master's degree, do another 12 months of OPT, and then do a second period of STEM OPT. That student is then no longer eligible for any more STEM OPT, even if they go on to do a PhD later (they COULD do 12 more months of regular 12-month OPT after the PhD, but no more STEM).

You cannot do the 24-month STEM extensions back to back (in consecutive periods of time).

  • For example, you cannot do one period of 24-month OPT and then immediately apply for the second period of 24-month OPT. You must go back to school and receive a new degree at a higher level, and do another period of 12-month OPT
  • For students who use a previously earned degree for the OPT STEM extension, you cannot "double dip" by basing another STEM extension on the same degree twice.
  • For example, if you do one period of OPT STEM based on a prior degree, then go back to school and earn a higher degree and do another year of OPT, you cannot base the second STEM application on that same previous degree.

Information Your Employer Will Need to Know

We strongly suggest you share the Employer FAQ with your employer so that they can fully prepare for their role in your OPT STEM extension process and how to fill out their portions of the form I-983. If you will be working for the University of Iowa, it also includes specific information on how to list the UI information on the I-983. If your employer still has questions or concerns, you may ask them to contact ISSS at isss@uiowa.edu.

What Responsibilities Will My Employer Have?

The new 24-month rule carries new obligations for employers, including:

  • Working with you to complete the Form I-983/Training Plan
  • Ensuring that you are paid a proper wage commensurate with U.S. workers who hold the same or similar positions
  • Have the appropriate resources and knowledgeable/experienced staff who can provide the needed supervision and guidance to follow the Training Plan
  • Ensure your hiring under OPT STEM is not displacing any U.S. workers
  • Communicate significant changes to your job description or training plan, or early termination of your work within 5 days to ISSS
  • Participate in two annual reviews of your performance and how well you are following the goals and objectives of the Training Plan
  • Participate in E-Verify

What is E-Verify?

E-Verify is a free and simple to use Web-based system that electronically verifies the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. E-Verify is a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) oversees the program.

E-Verify works by allowing participating employers to electronically compare employee information taken from the Form I-9 (the paper-based employee eligibility verification form used for all new hires) against more than 425 million records in SSA's database and more than 60 million records in DHS immigration databases. Results are returned in seconds.

How Can My Employer Sign Up?

Your employer should go to E-Verify (link is external)

An employer's participation in E-Verify is voluntary and is currently free to employers. To participate, an employer must register online and accept the electronic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that details the responsibilities of SSA, DHS, and the employer.

Can I Still Get an Extension if My Employer Does Not Sign Up for E-Verify?

No. USCIS will not approve any extension applications where the employer is not participating in E-Verify.

Note to University of Iowa employees: Please seek E-Verify information from your department’s Human Resources representative. ISSS cannot provide this number.

Caution Regarding Employment with Staffing, Temp Agencies, or Consulting Firms

In January 2018 USCIS issued updated guidance on determining whether a STEM OPT student can work for a staffing, temp agency, or consulting firm. This issue can be very complex and confusing, and ISSS may not be able to provide definite answers. Detailed information is on the Employers FAQ website.

How do I complete the STEM I-765 through the online application process?

The instructions below will help clarify how you should fill out the form.

  • Review these directions which will help to answer certain questions in the online STEM I-765 process. Do not proceed to full submission of an online application until you have followed the directions below and received an updated STEM I-20 from the ISSS.
  • Login to your iHawk account (click the blue login button) using your HawkID and password. Go to "F-1 Practical Training" and complete the e-form request "Optional Practical Training (OPT) 24 Month Request"
  • After submission of your e-form request, visit with an ISSS advisor during a zoom or in-person walk-in advising session. If there are no questions regarding your request, an ISSS advisor will issue you an update OPT I-20 which you can use to complete the USCIS online application process.

How should I fill out the STEM I-765 for filing in paper format by mail?

The instructions below will help clarify how you should fill out certain parts of the form. For full instructions, see the "Instructions for Form I-765" on the I-765 application website. Check the form I-765 edition in the bottom left corner of form and complete the 07/26/2022 edition.

Mailing your Application to USCIS

Send the following documentation to USCIS to apply for OPT extension, arranged in the order listed below:

Where to Mail:

ALERT: Starting in spring 2021, the address to which OPT/STEM applications should be sent has temporarily changed. The temporary address to which OPT/STEM should be sent is the Chicago Lockbox address listed under the “Foreign Students” dropdown at this USCIS web site. Please confirm with the advisor who produces your I-20 that the Chicago Lockbox is still correct before sending the application. We also recommend that you use a form of postal or courier service that offers proof of delivery.

TEMPORARILY DISREGARD THIS INFORMATION: Mail your OPT application to either the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox or the USCIS Dallas Lockbox - it all depends on the mailing address that you use on the I-765. Go to this website to see which address you should use. Ask an ISSS advisor if you are uncertain.

IMPORTANT! Follow the USCIS process to track issuance and delivery of your EAD card.

What Happens After I Mail My OPT 24 Month Application?

Processing Information:

About 3-4 weeks after you mail your application, USCIS will issue the I-797 Notice of Action acknowledging receipt of your application. Remember to keep this letter, since it will contain a special number beginning with letters such as “LIN...” that refers to your specific application. If you do not receive the Notice of Action after 4-5 weeks, please notify ISSS.

You may use the LIN/YSC number to check the status of your application online at https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do. Please note that the website will not give detailed information or an estimate of when your OPT may be approved, it will just tell you if it is received or pending, or approved. Also understand that once it is approved, it can take several days to arrive to the mailing address you provided.

Decision on Your Application:

The average processing time for OPT is currently 3-4 months; it could happen faster or could take longer in individual cases, so apply well in advance. In the very unlikely event that your application cannot be granted, you will receive an explanation for the denial. Likewise, if USCIS wants you to send additional or supporting documentation before they will proceed with your application, they will send a Request for Evidence letter to your home address.

Can I Change Employers Once I Apply for an Extension?

Yes, as long as the new employer is enrolled in E-Verify and the new work relates directly to the degree on which your OPT STEM application is based. You must notify ISSS when this occurs and file a new I-983/Training Plan filled out by you and your new employer. Changing employers without notifying ISSS may result in termination of your status.

What Kind of Job Can I Take?

OPT employment must be directly related to the degree area of study on which your OPT STEM application was based.

Can I Keep Working While Waiting for My OPT Extension Decision?

Students who file an application for the 24-month OPT extension in a timely manner (we recommend 90 days) before their existing OPT expires will be able to continue employment while the extension application is pending until a final decision is made on the I-765 OR for 180 days, whichever comes first.

Travel and OPT Extensions

What if I want to travel outside the U.S. and my OPT card has expired and my OPT extension request is still pending?

If your OPT employment authorization has expired and your STEM extension request is still pending, SEVP issued updated guidance in May 2016 that you are still eligible to travel outside the U.S. You will still need to take your expired EAD card and also obtain a new travel signature from an ISSS advisor before you leave, a letter from your employer indicating you are still employed there, and proof of your OPT STEM extension application.

What if I need to travel outside the U.S. after my OPT is approved?

In order to re-enter the U.S. after you have applied for OPT, you must have a travel signature on your I-20 signed by an ISSS advisor within the last six months, a valid F-1 visa, a valid passport and your EAD card. You should also carry a letter from your employer confirming you are or will be employed there under Optional Practical Training.

Reporting Information to ISSS While on Extended OPT

While on OPT you are still legally required to report certain information to ISSS. Changes to any of the following must be reported within 10 days of the event. To report, use our OPT Report e-form.

NOTE: In March 2018 SEVP made it possible for students to log in directly to the SEVIS system to report updates to your address, telephone, and employer information. For the time being we encourage students to continue to use our Optional Practical Training Reporting Requirement iHawk e-form to update this information in order to avoid conflicting information. Please see our OPT Reporting site for more information.

Validation Reports to ISSS Every 6 Months

Starting from the date your extension begins (i.e. the day after your current 12-month OPT ends) you are required by federal law to “check in” with ISSS every six months (at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months). These check-ins will be done via iHawk through the submission of the OPT Report e-form, at which time you will provide your legal name, current residential address, current email, your employer’s name, employer’s address, and whether or not you are still currently employed there. You will be sent an automated courtesy reminder to the e-mail address which you have provided ISSS, but should also schedule your own reminders. The check-in must be done even if there are no changes to your situation.

These check-ins are in addition to reporting within 10 days any changes that occur, as detailed in the previous section.

Please be aware that Homeland Security indicates students on extended OPT who fail to submit information within the 6-month check-in period will be viewed as violating status and F-1 status will be terminated. It is your responsibility to remember to do so at the proper time.

Annual Evaluations

You and your employer are required to submit an annual performance evaluation each year. The first evaluation is due 12 months after your OPT STEM start date; and the second is due at the end of your 24-month STEM period. The last two pages of form I-983 will be used for this and should be submitted to ISSS; courtesy email reminders will be sent to the email address you have provided, but you should also schedule your own reminders. Again, failure to submit these evaluations may result in termination of your legal status.

Unemployment and OPT

During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. A student authorized for a 24-month extension must work at least 20 hours per week for an E-Verify employer in a position directly related to his or her DHS-approved STEM CIP. Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 cumulative days of unemployment during any post-completion OPT carried out under the initial 12-month post-completion OPT authorization. Students granted a 24-month OPT extension may not accrue an aggregate of more than an additional 60 days of unemployment during the 24-month STEM extension period. If all or part of the 90 days are unused after the 12-month OPT, they may be used during the 24-month extension period as well (therefore a total of up to 150 days may be possible during the 24-month period). If you are unemployed for more than the permitted lengths of time you must consider your OPT to be immediately and automatically canceled and your F-1 status ended.

  • Part 1. Reason for Applying
    • Section 1a: Check "renewal of permission to accept employment"
  • Part 2. Information About You
    • Section 1: List your name exactly as it appears in your passport.
    • Section 2-4: Fill in this section if you have ever used a nickname (ex. Lily instead of Liyang), have used a maiden name before marriage, or a different name from a previous marriage, etc.
    • Section 5: Use your own mailing address; DO NOT use the address of ISSS. See the section on mailing your OPT application below for more details.
    • Section 6: If your physical address is not the same as your mailing address (for example, if you use a Post Office address for mail), check "No" and enter your full physical address in Section 7.
    • Section 8 and 9: Most F-1 students will not have an A-Number or USCIS Online Account Number, so these may be left blank if they do not apply to you; if you previously were authorized for OPT, include the A-Number that appeared on your EAD card.
    • Section 12: Check "Yes" ONLY if you have ever been on OPT before, otherwise check "No"
    • Section 13a: Check “Yes” if you have already been issued a Social Security Number or “No” if you have never received one
      • Section 13b: If you answered “Yes” above, enter the Social Security Number here
      • Section 14: If you do not have a Social Security Number and wish to receive one through the mail, check “Yes” for both items 10 and 11 and also fill in items 12-13. Note: You do have the option to decline receiving a Social Security Number through this method, and can still go in person to a local Social Security office once you have received your OPT authorization. At this point in time ISSS cannot tell which method may be best, but USCIS indicates if you request your Social Security Number by checking “Yes” on this I-765 you should receive it in the mail about two weeks after your OPT is approved.
      • Section 15: Be sure to check "Yes" if you wish to have a Social Security Number issued to you through this application
      • Section 16 and 17: List the names of your parents
    • Section 19: At minimum list your city/town of birth and country; include state/province if applicable
    • Section 20: Make sure you are using the date of birth format MONTH-DATE-YEAR
    • Section 21a: Enter your I-94 number, which can be found at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
    • Section 21b: This is found on your passport information page
    • Section 21c: Most F-1 students will not have a Travel Document Number and may leave this blank
    • Section 22 and 23: Enter the last date and location you entered the US, as found in your online I-94 record
    • Section 24 and 25: These should be F-1; if it is not, consult an ISSS advisor
    • Section 26: This is the number in the upper corner of your I-20, beginning with the letter "N"
    • Section 27: Enter the following code: C 3 C
    • Section 28:
      • 28a: Enter your degree level (BA, PhD, etc.) and CIP code for your major as listed on your I-20 (ex. BA 40.0801)
      • 28b: Enter your employer's name as it appears in their E-Verify authorization
      • 28c: Enter your employer's E-Verify number
  • Part 3. Applicant's Statement, Signature
    • Section 1a: Check this box
    • Section 3 and/or 4: Enter your phone number
    • Section 5: Enter your email address, use either your University of Iowa address or a personal email
    • Print the completed document, then sign and date the form only using a BLACK INK PEN; do not use an electronic/image of your signature.
  • Part 6. Additional Information

    • Use Part 6. Additional Information to provide all previously used SEVIS numbers and evidence of any previously authorized CPT or OPT and the academic level at which it was authorized. Include information on all authorized CPT done during this degree program, including start/end dates, full or part time, and employer. After entering the required information, please sign and date in the lower right space of this page.

  1. Complete form I-983 in collaboration with your employer.
  2. Log in to your iHawk account (click the blue login button) using your HawkID and password. Go to "F-1 Practical Training" and complete the e-form request "Optional Practical Training (OPT) 24 Month Request"
  3. ISSS will receive your e-form request and create an updated I-20 to reflect your extension request. We will mail two copies of the I-20 to you at the address you provide in the e-form request unless you have indicated you would prefer to pick up the document in person. Allow at least two weeks for the creation and mailing of the extension I-20.
  • Application Fee - $410 (Please note the USCIS proposal to increase this fee has been challenged. The OPT filing fee increase is now on hold, but this could change in the future. Check with an ISSS advisor if you have any questions). Personal checks or money orders must be in the exact amount and payable to "United States Department of Homeland Security." Personal checks are preferable to money orders, because they can more easily be traced in case of problems.
  • Two identical "natural color" passport photos – These are U.S.-style passport photos and must have been taken within the last 30 days. Passport photos taken in your home country will not be acceptable. Lightly print your name and your SEVIS number on the back of each photograph with a pencil to prevent problems should your photographs become separated from your I-765 application. Local businesses that typically take passport photographs include drugstores, copy centers, and the post office. The ISSS does not encourage you to attempt to take these photos yourself. .
  • Form I-765 (See the instructions above.) Check the form I-765 edition in the bottom left corner of form and complete the 08/25/2020 edition.
  • Form I-983/Training Plan - You fill out sections 1 and 2; your employer fills out sections 3, 4, 5, and 6. (The other sections will be filled out later as part of your annual evaluation process.)
  • Copy of new OPT extension I-20 that you will receive from an ISSS adviser.
  • Official transcript or degree verification – must indicate the degree level and title of major/degree programs upon which your OPT STEM application is based. Transcripts can be requested through MyUI or by contacting the Registrar's Office. If you are basing your application on a degree earned at another U.S. school, you will have to contact that school to obtain a copy of your transcript.
  • A printout f your most recent Form I-94 - obtained online here.
  • A copy of your passport photo/information page showing the passport expiration date AND your most recent U.S. visa.
  • A copy of all previous EAD cards.
  • Optional: Complete the Form G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance if you wish to take advantage of receiving email and/or text messages when your application has been received by USCIS. This means that you will not need to wait until the official receipt notice is mailed before you can know that the application has been officially received by the government. NOTE: USCIS will continue to mail the receipt notices to the address you specify on the I-765. Completion and submission of this form for email and/or text message notification is an option for you and not a required form, and does not affect the outcome of your OPT application. If you include this form, please put it as the FIRST PAGE of your application.
  • If you do not follow these instructions, you risk not having your OPT EAD card delivered and be unable to work.
  • The card will be mailed to the address you put on the form I-765. Make sure that your name is listed with the postal service as being able to receive mail at that address! DO NOT use the ISSS address or another University of Iowa department address.
  • Delivery of your EAD card will require your signature or that of someone you delegate.
  • Sign up for a "Case Status Online" account as instructed in the link above.
  • Register for "Informed Delivery" as instructed in the link above.
    • It may be a good idea to choose to have the US Postal Service hold your card at your local post office until you can go in person to retrieve it and sign for it. This is something you can arrange in "Informed Delivery."
  • Remember that it is your responsibility to update USCIS should you move to a new address before your OPT is approved. The EAD card will not be forwarded and instead would be returned to USCIS, causing considerable delay for you and ISSS cannot impact this. https://egov.uscis.gov/coa/displayCOAForm.do
  • Do not mail your application to USCIS more than 90 days before the end of your 12-month OPT. They will automatically reject it and will not refund the application fee.
  • USCIS must receive your OPT application within 30 days of the creation of your I-20 reflecting your OPT request - do not delay mailing it!
  • If you change your mind and do not mail your OPT application, you must notify ISSS, or your SEVIS record will terminate.
  • Changes in name or residential/mailing address
  • Report your employer name, address, and supervisor’s email within 10 days of any changes or new employment
  • Report changes to another immigration status
  • If you will leave your OPT employment before your OPT end date
  • Notify ISSS if your email address changes