UCLA – Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars

OPT STEM EXTENSION GUIDELINES

The initial 12-month period of OPT will be extended 17 months, for a total of 29 months for certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) degree holders ONLY. To be eligible: You must be currently authorized for a 12-month period of OPT and working for a U.S.

employer in a job directly related to your field of study. You must have successfully completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degree in a field on

the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stem-list-2011.pdf

At the time of application for the 17-month extension, you must have a job offer or be employed by an employer registered with the “E-Verify” federal employment verification system. For more information on “E-Verify,” please visit www.uscis.gov.

You must not have previously received a 17-month OPT extension after earning a STEM degree.

You must apply for the 17-month extension through DCISS. You must file the extension application in a timely manner, generally 90 days before the

current period of OPT expires. If you file the application timely may continue employment while the extension application is

pending, until a final decision is made by USCIS, or for 180 days, whichever occurs first. You must report the following information to DCISS every 6 months:

Change of residential or mailing address Name and address of employer Change in the name or address of employer When employment changes or terminates

OPT STEM Extension Application Checklist:

1. I-765 Form (please see attached or complete form at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765.pdf) 2. $380.00 personal check or money order made payable to: U.S. Department of

Homeland Security (please write your date of birth and SEVIS ID number on front of the check 3. Copy of your most recent I-20 pages 1 &3 4. 2 copies of your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Card (front and back sides) 5. 2 U.S. style passport photos (write your name and SEVIS ID number on back of each photo) 6. 1 Copy of your current passport photo page 7. 1 Copy of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card (front and back sides) 8. 1 Copy of diploma, official or unofficial transcripts 9. Letter from employer (indicating: job title, supervisor’s name, and employer’s contact information.

Employer must be E-Verified.)

Prepare your checklist and make an appointment to see an F-1 counselor at DCISS.

106 Bradley International Hall 417 Charles Young Drive West, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1379 Phone: 310-825-1681 Fax: 310-206-1612