24-Month STEM OPT Extension

In order to be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT Extension, students must meet the following requirements:

• Students must be currently participating in an approved post-completion OPT and properly maintaining F-1 status.
• Students must have successfully completed a degree from an accredited, SEVP-certified, U.S. institution in a program included on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List within the last 10 years.
  • You can find your program CIP code on the first page of your I-20, under Program of Study.
  • Not all NJIT degrees are eligible for the STEM extension. If in doubt, contact your OGI adviser before submitting your application.
• Students must be working for or have accepted employment with a U.S. employer that is enrolled in E-Verify and the employment must be directly related to the students' major field of study. You cannot be self-employed.
• Students must be employed FULL TIME at more than 20 hours per week. 
• USCIS must receive your STEM Extension application package before the expiration of your current post-completion OPT or cap-gap, but no sooner than 90 days before that date.
  • Students must submit the STEM OPT Extension application package to USCIS no later than 60 days from the date the OGI adviser recommended the STEM OPT in SEVIS and issued the I-20.

Students should apply for the STEM OPT Extension with the employer they will be employed with at the time their OPT ends and STEM OPT Extension begins. 

• If you anticipate changing your employer prior to the end of your OPT authorization, before your STEM Extension period will begin, you should not submit STEM OPT Extension documents to OGI, or to USCIS, until you are able to provide documents for the employer for whom you will be working for at the start of your STEM OPT Extension period.
  • The *ONLY* exception is if your OPT authorization end date is within 2-3 weeks away, and your new employment has not been verified. In this situation, you may submit the required documents for the STEM OPT Extension application to OGI, and should work with your DSO directly once your new employment begins.

All applications for STEM OPT Extension must be received by USCIS within the following timeframe:

• Before the last day of your current post-completion OPT or cap-gap authorization
• No sooner than 90 days prior to the end of your current post-completion OPT. OGI cannot process STEM OPT Extension applications earlier than 90 days before a student's OPT end date.
• Within 60 days from the date your STEM Extension OPT Requested Form I-20 was issued by OGI
   

If you have appropriately filed your application during this timeframe, your employment authorization is automatically extended for 180 days while your application is pending. USCIS may take 3-5 months to process applications.

Tips for filing forms with USCIS

Students should apply for the STEM OPT Extension with the employer they will be employed with at the time their OPT ends and STEM OPT Extension begins. 

• If you anticipate changing your employer prior to the end of your OPT authorization, before your STEM Extension period will begin, you should not submit STEM OPT Extension documents to OGI, or to USCIS, until you are able to provide documents for the employer for whom you will be working for at the start of your STEM OPT Extension period.
  • The *ONLY* exception is if your OPT authorization end date is within 2-3 weeks away, and your new employment has not been verified. In this situation, you may submit the required documents for the STEM OPT Extension application to OGI, and should work with your DSO directly once your new employment begins.

• If you anticipate changing your employer prior to the end of your OPT authorization, before your STEM Extension period will begin, you should not submit STEM OPT Extension documents to OGI, or to USCIS, until you are able to provide documents for the employer for whom you will be working for at the start of your STEM OPT Extension period.
  • The *ONLY* exception is if your OPT authorization end date is within 2-3 weeks away, and your new employment has not been verified. In this situation, you may submit the required documents for the STEM OPT Extension application to OGI, and should work with your DSO directly once your new employment begins.

STEP 1: Submit the STEM OPT Extension Request through myGlobal International Student Portal

• Visit myGlobal International Student Portal.
• Log in using your UCID and password.
• Click on "F-1 Practical Training" on the left-side menu.
• Click on STEM OPT Extension Request.
  • Complete the form
  • Upload the following documents
    • A copy of the completed Form I-983 signed with ink signatures from both you and your employer. For instructions on how to complete Form I-983, please visit the Study in the States OPT Hub. You should also keep a copy for your records. The form will ask you for your Designated School Official's (DSO) name and contact information. You can find the name and contact information of your DSO/International Student Adviser under our Office Staff page. You will also need the "SEVIS School Code of School Recommending STEM OPT" (including 3-digit suffix): NEW214F00245000 (can be found on your I-20).
    • A copy of your Diploma
    • A copy of your Transcript
    • A copy of your current EAD Card
    • A copy of your most recent I-94. You may retrieve it online HERE.
    • A copy of the Certificate of Completion of the Canvas STEM Extension Module in the international students class in Canvas
    • A copy of your Payment of $200 NJIT STEM OPT record management fee receipt. 
      • ​Click on the link to pay this fee electronically.

**Processing time is up to 7 business days.** Students are responsible for submitting applications to OGI in a timely manner to allow processing of their applications and comply with all federal deadlines for submission. 

To obtain your new I-20 from OGI: 

Once the OGI has reviewed and processed your documents, you will receive your STEM Extension Requested I-20 via email. Print and sign it for your application, and also keep a digital copy for your records. Please review your I-20 carefully to ensure that all information is correct prior to submitting your application to USCIS. Contact OGI immediately if there are any errors, so they may be corrected as quickly as possible.

STEP 2: Submit the following documents to USCIS either by mail or online 

USCIS must receive your STEM Extension application package before the expiration of your current post-completion OPT or cap-gap, but no sooner than 90 days before that date. Also, USCIS must receive your application no later than 60 days from the date the OGI adviser recommended the STEM OPT in SEVIS and issued the I-20.

Refer to the OGI guidelines in Canvas if you are considering applying online rather than mailing your application to USCIS. Find more information about applying online on the USCIS website.

If you are applying online, refer to the list below plus the online instructions from USCIS for what documents to upload. If you are mailing your application to USCIS, assemble the supporting documents in the following order:

• The I-765 filing fee (currently $470. Determine the fee required HERE). Check or money order, made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If sending payment by personal check, be sure check indicates account holder's’ name and address. Reminder: always check the USCIS website directly for the most up to date I-765 form, filing fee and mailing address.
• Form I-765, Download our General Guidelines and read the instructions provided by USCIS. You must submit all pages of the I-765, even if they don't apply to you or are blank. Use the I-765 form directly from the USCIS website at the time when you are applying. DO NOT use a form that you got from any other source or that you saved from your previous OPT application. 
• Photocopy of I-94 (both sides), or print-out of electronic I-94.
• Photocopies of visa and biographical page of your passport. If you changed your status to F-1 while here in the U.S., be sure to include a photocopy of your I-797 Approval Notice from USCIS, a photocopy of your visa (even if it is not an F-1 Visa), and an official transcript from NJIT
• Copy of previously issued EAD 
• Two identical passport size photos (2”x2” with white background), taken recently. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious denomination of which you are a member. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photo
• STEM extension requested I-20, received from OGI via email. Print and sign the I-20 in ink and save it as a digital copy for your records.
• Photocopies of all previous Form I-20’s, from any school in the US you have attended, that indicate work authorization.on page 2 
• Official transcript from NJIT, as evidence of your program of study in a STEM CIP Code field included on the ICE Designated Degree Program List.
• (Optional & recommended) Photocopy of your most recent diploma that shows the degree name and the date awarded. If you are applying for STEM extension based on a previous degree, include a copy of that diploma.
• (Optional & recommended) Employment letter dated within 30 days of the application date.
• (Optional & recommended) Form G-1145 .Clip the completed G-1145 to the front of the application or petition you are filing.

NOTE: there is a question on the online application that asks for proof of institutional accreditation if you are applying for the STEM extension based on a prior degree. A prior degree means a degree earned earlier than your most recent degree. 

The average processing time is approximately 3 to 4 months. USCIS must receive your STEM application before the expiration of your OPT, or they will automatically deny your petition. 

Where to send your application:

If sending by mail: look on the USCIS website for the direct filing addresses for Form I-765.  Send your documents to USCIS with tracking information and/or delivery confirmation requested, and make a copy of your entire application prior to mailing to USCIS. 

If applying online: refer to the USCIS website.

Students may find additional information regarding employment issues below:

• Understanding E-Verify
• Know your rights under E-Verify
• STEM OPT and Staffing or Temporary Agencies (Study in the States)
• STEM OPT and Staffing or Temporary Agencies (USCIS - click on employer's responsibilities)