24 Month OPT Extension

Eligible F-1 nonimmigrant students with STEM degrees have the option to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Interested F-1 students must first submit STEM application documents mentioned below to International Student Services (ISS).  Your request for STEM will be processed by ISS into SEVIS and generate I-20 for the student’s application. The Student will mail the application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to request STEM Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Review the following for more STEM information:

 Study in the States STEM Hub

Reporting Requirements

To maintain your F-1 status while you are on STEM OPT, you must regularly check in with the International Student Services to validate your information in SEVIS and report changes. There are several reporting obligations:

Validating SEVIS Information:

• Every six months from the STEM start date, submit a continuing employment letter by using:  international.utsa.edu
• OPT Update Form will provide the required STEM reporting verification of your residential address, phone, and email information.
• The continuing employment letter should show your name, job title, job description, salary, job location if different from employer, supervisor's name, contact information, and verify employment.

Annual Self Evaluation:

• 12-month Validation submit the required 12-month self-evaluation in the I-983 (page 5). Write detailed self-evaluation reporting the progress of your STEM OPT Training experience.
• Submit continuing employment letter.

Report End of Employment/New Employer:

• Report end of employment, by submitting OPT Update Form, international.utsa.edu
• Submit Self-Evaluation to document the STEM training period and detailed training obtained while working with the employer you have left. (I-983, Page 5)
• Report new employment, use OPT Update Form and submit new I-983, Affidavit Letter, Job Hiring Letter
• STEM employment reporting requires uploading of I-983 into your SEVIS record.  Please submit all documents within 10 days of the change of employers

Changes to your Existing Form I-983:

• If changes in your job duties or promotion have created new duties, please submit a new I-983 showing new responsibilities in your training.
• Report any change of the employer’s EIN.
• Report changes to the employer’s commitments or student’s learning objectives as documented on Form I-983

Unemployment Limit

Students on the 24-month STEM OPT extension can access unused days of employment from the initial OPT period plus an additional 60 days of unemployment for a maximum period of 150 days of unemployment.

SEVP Portal