Office of International Student Services PO Box 10078, Beaumont, TX Telephone: 409/ Fax: 409/

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1 Office of International Student Services PO Box 10078, Beaumont, TX Telephone: 409/ Fax: 409/ OPT 17-Month Extension Procedures October 23, 2013 GENERAL INFORMATION: The 12-month limit on F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) will be extended by 17 months, for a total of 29 months, for bachelors, masters, or doctoral degrees in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field that is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. That list consists of select STEM fields identified by the field s Cip Code. Since CIP Codes are also used to designate field of student in SEVIS, the CIP Code in the SEVIS record of the I-20 on which the application for OPT is based will be the point of reference. NOTICE: Please be aware that the federal regulations, procedures, and forms may change for this new program within a few weeks as DHS recognizes problems related to the program. All of us must be patient and comply with the new regulations. If you have questions about the new federal regulations, view the USCIS website ( Other Requirements for 17-month Extension: To be eligible for the 17 month extension, the student must be currently participating in a period of standard OPT based on a bachelor s, master s, or doctoral degree on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student s major area of study. Student must have successfully completed a bachelor s master s, or doctoral degree in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, from a SEVIS-certified college or university. Student must have a job offer from an employer registered with the E-Verify employment verification system. The student has not previously received a 17-month OPT extension after earning a STEM degree. The DSO must recommend the 17-month OPT extension in SEVIS, after verifying the student s eligibility, certifying that the student s degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, and ensuring that the student is aware of his or her responsibilities for maintaining status while on OPT. Student will have to apply for the 17-month extension on Form I-765 with fee. Effective November 23, 2010 form I-765 fee is changing from $ to $ Applications or petitions mailed, postmarked or otherwise filed on or after November 23, 2010 must include the new fee. Must apply within 60 days of your OPT EAD Card end date and no later than 30 days of your OPT EAD Card end date. Students who timely file an application for the 17-month OPT extension will be able to continue employment while the extension application is pending, until a final decision on the I-765 or for 180 days, whichever comes first. The employer must agree to report the termination or departure of the student to the DSO or through any other means or process identified by DHS. An employer must consider a worker to have departed when the employer knows the student has left employment, or if the student has not reported for work for a period of five (5) consecutive business days without the employer s consent. All students on OPT are required to report to the DSO: any change of name or address, OR any interruption of such employment. In addition, students with an approved 17-month OPT extension: Must report to the student s P/DSO within 10 days of any change of legal name, residential or mailing address, employer name, employer address, and/or loss of employment. Must make a validation report to the DSO every six (6) months starting from the date the extension begins and ending when the student s F-1 status ends, the student changes educational levels at the same school, the student transfer to another school, or the 17-month OPT extension ends, whichever is first. The validation is a confirmation that the student s name and address employer name and address, and/or loss of employment is current and accurate. The report is due to the P/DSO within 10 business days of each reporting date.

2 Bring or mail the following to the International Office: Completed Form I-765 (included in this packet) Must be the original with signature in blue ink. Copy of current OPT EAD Card. Letter from employer stating that they are aware of complying with the E-Verify regulations, that they are responsible to report the departure of the student s employment within 48 hours to the schools P/DSO or to DHS. Copy of your SEVIS I20 that recommends OPT (regular post completion OPT pages 1 & 3). Passport Copy of Biographical and Visa pages. Form I-94 Copy of Front and Back. Personal Check or money order for $ (if applying on or after 11/23/2010) made payable to: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (Do not write in the upper portion of the check or abbreviate DHS). Two Green Card/passport photos in a small envelope (your name and admission number must be printed in pencil on the back of the photos with a white background) ----see attached instructions. The photos must be less than 30 days old. (Do Not Cut Photos!) required OPT 17-Month Extension Application must be fully completed! required Copy of Drivers License required Official Transcript indicating degree conferred, grades and graduation date required Pre-Paid Express Envelope----required (Documents will be mailed back to student) FEDERAL REGULATION EFFECTIVE APRIL 10, 2008: As of April 10, 2008, DHS has implemented a Federal Regulation that affects F-1 students engaged in OPT: This regulation mandates that F-1 students report Employer information to their International Advisor/Office as soon as they obtain employment and/or any changes in employment occurs; this includes any interruption of their employment and/or change of employer and information; and required to submit your change of address within 10 days. During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during any post-completion OPT carried out under the initial post-completion OPT authorization. If this should occur, the student is out of status. TRAVEL & REENTRY WHILE ENGAGING IN OPT: An F-1 student in practical training following completion of studies who travels outside the US temporarily can be readmitted to resume employment for the remainder of the authorized training period, provided the student presents SEVIS I-20 endorsed by the DSO within the preceding 6 months and an unexpired EAD (Form I-766). Students should be reminded that they will still need a valid F-1 visa for re-entry into the US. NOTE: The International Office does NOT recommends that you leave the country when your OPT petition still pending. If you do, USCIS may consider this departure as an abandonment of the application. Therefore, the International Office s official recommendation is that you DO NOT travel outside the US while your OPT petition is pending. It is your responsibility to be aware of federal regulations for applying, obtaining, and maintaining optional practical training. Should you have any questions concerning this issue, please feel free to contact my office. Students may not legally begin working until an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) has been issued by USCIS-TSC according to the dates on the card.

3 NOTICE: Effective November 23, 2010 Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Fee is changing From $ to $ Applications or petitions mailed, postmarked, or otherwise filed on or after November 23, 2010 must include the new fee. Payment must be made ONLY with: PERSONAL CHECK or MONEY ORDER Payable to: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

4 UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION SERVICES PHOTO GUIDELINES FOR VISA APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS THAT REQUIRE PHOTOS Beginning September 1, 2004, applications to USCIS requiring passport photos must be accompanied by the same style of full face photograph as is used for visa applications, as describe below. The photographs submitted to USCIS must be color photographs. The photos must be on white background and be less than 30 days old. Photo composition template Make sure the photo presents the full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin Center the head with the frame The person in the photo should have a neutral expression and be facing the camera

5 17 Month OPT Extension for STEM* Students (*Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Lamar University International Student Services Office Marie Graham, PDSO Coordinator International Student Services 1. The International Student Services Office (ISSO) must receive the OPT Extension I-20 request within 60 days of the OPT EAD Card end date and no later than 30 days prior to the end date of your current EAD card (Employment Authorization Document). 2. ISSO will create and mail a new extension request I-20 to you along with an application checklist. 3. You will then mail your extension request I-20 to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) with other items listed on their application requirements checklist. Today s Date: Month Day Year SEVIS Number: N Family (last) Name Given (first) Name Middle Lamar University Student ID #: Drivers License # State Issued: Social Security #: Telephone Number: ( ) Male ( ) Female Current Address: Address: Number and Street Apt. # City State Zip Code Date of Birth: Student s Job Title: Degree Earned: Degree Completion Date: Employer Name: Employer Address: Number and Street City State Zip Code Employer E-Verify ID#: Supervisor s Name: Telephone Number: Supervisor s Address: DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT FOR OPT EXTENSION I-20: PHOTOCOPY of completed I-765 Form (Version dated 08/19/2009 only) o At top, mark Renewal of my permission to accept employment o #11, Check Yes, Which USCIS Office: Name of nearest Service Center in State where employed, Dates: Enter the dates that are indicated on your current EAD card, Results: Granted. o #17, Eligibility category is (c) (3) (C) {small c, number 3, capital C) PHOTOCOPY of most current I-20 PHOTOCOPY of most current I-94 card (front and back sides) PHOTOCOPY of most current EAD card (Employment Authorization Document) Pre-Paid Express Mail Envelope for petition & documents to be returned to the student s address.

6 ISSO PROCESSING TIMELINE It will take ISSO approximately ten (10) business days to process your application. OPT EXTENSION PERIOD The employment authorization period for the 17-month OPT extension begins on the day after the expiration of the initial post-completion OPT employment authorization. It ends 17 months later, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES OFFICE MAILING ADDRESS Mail this form and requested photocopies to: International Student Services Office (ISSO) PO Box Beaumont, TX ATTN: OPT Extension TO BE SIGNED BY THE STEM DEGREE HOLDER WHO IS CURRENTLY ON A 12-MONTH OPT PERIOD AND APPLYING FOR AN OPT EXTENSION Statement of Understanding: (1) I have not previously received a 17-month OPT extension after earning a STEM degree and my degree that is the basis for my current period of OPT is a bachelor s, master s, or doctoral degree in one of the degree programs on the current STEM Designated Degree Program List, published on the SEVP Web site at (2) My employer is registered in the E-Verify program, as evidenced by either a valid E-Verify company identification number or, if my employer is using a designated agent to perform the E-Verify queries, a valid E-Verify client company identification number. The employer is a participant in good standing in the E-Verify program. (3) My employer agrees to report the termination or departure of my OPT to the DSO at Lamar University or through any other means or process identified by DHS if the termination or departure is prior to the end of the authorized period of OPT. Such reporting must be made within 48 hours of the event. My employer shall consider a worker to have departed when the employee knows that I have left the employment or if I have not reported for work for a period of 5 consecutive business days without the consent of the employer, whichever occurs earlier (4) I understand that the Duration of status while on post-completion OPT is defined as the period beginning when my OPT Extension application was properly filed and pending approval, including the authorized period of post-completion OPT, and ending 60 after the OPT employment authorization expires (allowing me to prepare for departure, change educational levels at the same school, or transfer to a new school in accordance with federal regulations. (5) I understand that during post-completion OPT my F-1 status is dependent upon employment. I may not accrue a total of more than 90 days of unemployment during any post-completion OPT carried out under the initial post-completion OPT authorization. If I am granted a 17-month OPT extension, I may not accrue a total of more than 120 days of unemployment during the total OPT period comprising any post-completion OPT carried out under the initial postcompletion OPT authorization and the subsequent 17-month extension period. (6) I have read and understand the above information on the 17-month OPT Extension for STEM degree holders provided by the International Student Services Office at Lamar University. (7) I understand that it is my responsibility to submit this form along with required documents to the appropriate Service Center of USCIS. Print Name: Signature of Student: EAD Card Number: Date: Date: