INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS

Eligibility for the STEM OPT Extension

To be eligible for STEM OPT Extension, you must:

• Currently be on post-completion OPT
• Hold an appropriate degree in one of the DHS-approved STEM fields, received from an accredited U.S. institution within the past 10 years
• Have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment in the 12 months of regular OPT
• Submit your STEM OPT application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before the expiration date of your current OPT

Your prospective employer must be registered with E-Verify. The employer needs to complete the Form I-983 with formal training and learning objectives for the training opportunity and how it directly relates to your qualifying STEM degree.

Spring 2025 INFORMATION SESSIONS (specifically for STEM)

Thursday, March 13 from 12:00-1:00 PM on Zoom (register here)

Tuesday, May 6 from 2:30 - 3:30 PM on Zoom (register here)

Required Documents for STEM OPT Extension Application

You will apply for STEM OPT online on the USCIS website. Do not submit the application until you have received your new I-20 from OISS. Do not submit your application more than 90 days before the expiration date on your current OPT.

• Completed and signed Form I-765
  • If you wish to have your EAD card sent to OISS, use the following address in your online if you want your EAD sent to OISS:
    • In care of: OISS, Lehigh University
    • Address Line 1: 32 Sayre Drive, Coxe Hall
    • City: Bethlehem
    • State: PA
    • Zip Code: 18015
    • Note: If you use the OISS’s address to receive your I-797 and EAD, we will request permission to open your mail in the OPT Application E-Form. OISS is not responsible for lost or damaged mail, nor is the OISS responsible for postage errors or undeliverable mail. OISS will contact you when your documents are received.
• Appropriate filing fee paid via the online application.  You can choose to use Premium Processing service for an additional fee
• One 2” x 2” photo of you. Instructions for the photo and a photo composition tool can be found within the online I-765 in the Evidence section.
• Upload a copy of your Form I-94, passport photo page, and current visa page
• Upload a copy of your previous I-20’s
• Upload a copy of your current and previous Employment Authorization Documents (front and back)
• Upload the new I-20 issued by OISS with the 24-month STEM extension recommendation (make sure you print the I-20, sign the I-20 at the bottom of page 1, and have a scanned copy of the signed I-20 ready to upload)
• Evidence that your degree meets the STEM requirements: official transcript from the Lehigh University Registrar's Office and a copy of your diploma that shows your degree level and program of study

Reporting Requirements While on STEM OPT

You must notify OISS through iHome within 10 days if any of the following information changes:

• Legal name
• Residential address (Post Office Box not acceptable)
• Employer name and address
• Ending OPT due to a change of status to H-1B or another status or leaving the U.S.

If you are on the 24-month STEM OPT Extension, you must also notify OISS of the following changes and submit a new I-983:

• Change in Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Reduction in your compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked
• Significant decrease in hours per week that you get STEM training
• Changes to the employer’s commitments or your learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983

Students on the 24-month STEM OPT Extension must also submit an annual Evaluation of Student Progress.

Traveling on STEM OPT

If you travel outside the U.S. while on STEM OPT, bring the following documents with you:

• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 visa to re-enter the U.S.*
• STEM OPT I-20 with a travel signature from an OISS advisor within the last six months
• Proof of employment or offer letter from your employer and a valid Employment Authorization Document

*A valid F-1 visa is not required to re-enter the U.S. if you travel to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands (except Cuba) for 30 days or fewer. Citizens of Iran, Syria and Sudan must always have a valid visa. Canadian citizens do not require a visa.

Time spent outside the U.S. while employed does not count toward the unemployment allowance.

Unemployment Allowance for STEM OPT

You are allowed up to 150 days of unemployment between your 12-month OPT and your 24-month extension

Taking Courses while on STEM OPT

You can take courses while on STEM OPT as long as you study part-time and do not seek a degree.

If you are seeking a new degree, you need to cancel your STEM OPT and get a new I-20 to pursue full-time study in the new degree program. If the degree is at a new school, you will need to receive admission and contact OISS to transfer out your SEVIS record.

On the transfer release date (new school) or the date a new I-20 is created (Lehigh), your STEM OPT will end. If you intend to continue in F-1 status, you must receive admission from a new academic program and get an I-20 before the 60th day after your STEM OPT ends.

If you transfer to a new school and receive your new I-20, you may remain in the U.S. for up to five months between when your STEM OPT ends and the new program begins. If there will be more than five months between programs, you need to leave the U.S. and re-enter within 30 days of the start of your new program.