Instructions for applying for a 17-month OPT extension for degrees in the STEM category

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1 Instructions for applying for a 17-month OPT extension for degrees in the STEM category A 17-month OPT extension may be available to F-1 students currently participating in a period of standard OPT, working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student s major area of study. The student must have successfully completed a bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree in a field on the DHS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Designated Degree Program List available online at Requirements for the 17-month STEM extension: The 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. The student has to apply for the 17-month extension on Form I-765 with fee (currently $380), see instructions below. 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 consecutive business days without the employer's consent. Instructions for completing the I-765 ( Fill out the form online or print clearly. Complete all sections 1 through 17. Do not write in the block at the top of the form and be sure to sign and date at the bottom. Check the first box, permission to accept employment. #1 Write out all names, as they appear in your passport/visa. #3 This is the address the USCIS will use to mail you all correspondence regarding this application, as well as the EAD card, so make sure this is a complete and clearly written address which will be valid for several months from the time you mail the application. You are welcome to use our office address: OIP, CHS, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY If you are using an address which is not in the Northeast United States, please contact OIP for additional instructions.

2 # 6 Date of birth should be listed MM/DD/YY #10 This is the 11-digit number from your current I-94 #11 Check Yes and complete the related information #12 You can find this date in your passport or on the I-94 #13 The name of the city/airport where you entered the US #16 The code for 17-month STEM extensions is (C)(3)(C). #17 #17 Complete this section with your degree field (list the degree as it appears in SEVIS, not as it was listed on your diploma contact OIP if you need assistance on this) and your employer s E-Verify number and name as listed with E-Verify Do not forget to sign (in blue ink) and date the I Month Extension Petition Checklist: 1. Completed form I-765 (instructions above). 2. $380 check or money order made payable to Department of Homeland Security or DHS. 3. Two identical standard passport style photos additional information regarding the photos is available at Lightly print your name and A# (the 11-digit number from the current I- 94) on the back of each photo. Put the photos in an envelope and attach it to the I Photocopy of BOTH SIDES (front and back) of your current I-94 card. 5. Photocopy of the identity page of your passport. If your passport has been extended, include a copy of the page(s) which show the extension. 6. A photocopy of your current EAD card. 7. Photocopy of the new I-20 (pages 1 and 3) with the OPT recommendation for the extension 8. Photocopies of ALL your previous I-20s (please see OIP if you cannot locate your original previous I-20s). If you have other I-20s due to transfer from another school to Ithaca College, you need to send copies of those with the petition as well. 9. Photocopy of your most recent F-1 visa, even if it has expired. 10. A copy of your final transcript or diploma (as long as it states your degree field on it). OIP recommends that you make a copy of the petition before sending it. OIP also strongly urges you to make a copy of everything you send and leave it with us for your office file. Send the petition by certified mail with a return receipt. After the USCIS receives the petition, they will send you a receipt (Form I-797) which usually states that the EAD will be issued within 60 to 90 days from the date of receipt and includes the file number of your petition. Save that notice and let OIP have a copy, as you will need the file number if you decide to contact the DHS with questions regarding the status of your petition. You can check the status of your application (using the code from the receipt) online at

3 Reporting requirements: While on this extension of your OPT, you must update OIP with any changes in the following: your legal name your residential or mailing address the name or address of your employer loss or termination of employment From the start date of the extension, students are required to report to the OIP every 6 months for the duration of the OPT. The students are required to report if there have been any changes in their name, address, or the name and address of their employer. The report (which can be submitted by ) is due to the OIP within 10 business days of each reporting period. Please note: You cannot apply for the 17-month extension upfront you have to apply for the regular 12-month post-completion OPT, and then, once you are pursuing your OPT and within 3 months of the end date of the EAD card, you can apply for the 17-month extension. So you will end up filing the OPT petition (and paying the fee) twice. Once the timely-filed OPT extension application is accepted, you may continue with the employment while the application is pending, until a final decision is issued or for 180 days, whichever is sooner. The employment authorization of the 17-month OPT extension begins on the day after the expiration of the initial post-completion OPT authorization, and ends 17 months later, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved. While employment can be unpaid during the regular post-completion OPT, for the 17-month extension employment must be traditional paid employment. Your F-1 status is dependent upon your employment while on OPT. Students with the 17-month extension may not accrue more than 120 of unemployment during the total 29-month OPT period. You can change employers during the STEM period of OPT, but all employers that you will work for during the STEM extension period must be registered in the DHS E-Verify program, and you must report the change in employment to the OIP so we can update SEVIS accordingly. If you travel overseas during OPT, you need to carry with you the following documents: I-20 endorsed for travel by a DSO in the last 6 months, the EAD card, a valid passport, a current F-1 visa stamp, and a job offer letter or proof of employment. If you have filed for the 17 months extension but have not received the new EAD card, you should not travel outside the US. Wait until you get the new EAD card with the 17-month extension.

4 Application form for 17-month OPT Extension Please print out, sign, date, and fax to the OIP at Name (as it appears on the I-20): Current OPT end date (from the EAD card): Current address: Current phone number: Current address: Current job title: Name of employer: Employer s E-Verify ID number: Address of employer: Work Supervisor s name and phone number: By signing below, I certify that I have read the handout Instructions for applying for a 17-month OPT extension for degrees in the STEM category and that I understand that by applying for the 17-month OPT extension, I am subject to the following requirements: I confirm that I am presently working in the STEM field in which I hold a degree I have maintained my F-1 status during the initial 12-month OPT I must continue to maintain F-1 status during the 17-month extension I have confirmed that my employer is enrolled in the E-Verify Program I understand that it is my responsibility to report to the OIP the following information, so that the OIP can enter it in SEVIS: any changes in my name and address as well as the name and address of my employer, and any periods of unemployment. I understand that I must send a report to the OIP via an or fax (to confirm this information or to report changes in it) every 6 months while on the 17 month extension.

5 Signature and date: