12. Stem Information

International Student Guide :: STEM Information

STEM Information

Students in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) majors may seek additional temporary employment authorization through the 24-month OPT STEM Extension.

Students with certain STEM-eligible degrees are eligible to apply for the OPT STEM Extension. Eligibility is based on the academic major’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code.

The Office of International Programs has no role in determining which CIP code corresponds to each major or which majors are eligible for the OPT STEM Extension.

In addition, students must meet the following general eligibility requirements:

  • Must currently be on approved 12-month OPT and in legal F-1 visa status
  • May not have accrued more than an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment during their initial 12-month OPT period
  • Must be employed in a position directly related to their STEM-eligible major
  • All employers during the OPT STEM Extension period must be registered with E-verify
  • Employment position must be in a paid position for the OPT STEM Extension

Office of International Programs OPT STEM extension FAQ handout

Eligibility for the OPT STEM Extension is based on an academic major’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code.

Below is a list of the SEVP-eligible majors with CIP codes and a list of East Texas A&M’s majors and CIP codes.

PLEASE NOTE that the name of the academic major on a student’s I-20 may differ from that of the student’s academic major at East Texas A&M.

  • For example, students in the graduate Technology Management major (CIP Code 15.0612) will have an I-20 with a major listed as Industrial Technology/Technician (CIP Code 15.0612).
  • This student’s academic major is Technology Management.

The Office of International Programs is required to match our university’s CIP Codes with the CIP code in the SEVIS system.

  • While the names of the majors may not match a student’s academic major, the major is listed on the transcript.
  • These differences in the name of the major will not impact an F-1 or other visa-related benefits.
  • Below are some common STEM-eligible majors with their corresponding CIP codes, and you may review the East Texas A&M List of CIP Codes for additional information:
    • Biology/Biological Science 26.0101
    • Business Analytics 52.1399
    • Chemistry 40.0501
    • Computational Science 30.3001
    • Computer Information Systems (Undergraduate) 11.0401
    • Computer Science 11.0101
    • Math 27.0101
    • Physics 40.0801
    • Technology Management 15.0612
    • Electrical Engineering 14.1001
    • Industrial Engineering 14.3501
    • Construction Engineering 14.3301
    • Environmental Science 03.0104
    • Animal Science 01.0901
    • Wildlife and Conservation Science 03.0601

SEVP STEM ELIGIBLE LIST OF CIP CODES

East Texas A&M’s List of CIP Codes

Under certain circumstances, an F-1 student may use a prior STEM degree from a currently accredited SEVP-certified school to fulfill the eligibility requirements.

Study in the States Previous Degree Guidance

Students who meet all eligibility requirements for the OPT STEM Extension may apply for the benefits up to 90 days before the EAD card end date for the student’s current OPT authorization.

The new regulations for the 24-month STEM OPT regulations increased the educational benefits that F-1 students receive from their practical training experiences by requiring the submission of a formal training plan.

  • The formal training plan must clearly articulate the STEM OPT student’s learning objectives and affirm the employer’s commitment to helping the student achieve those objectives.
  • To fulfill this requirement, students and their employers must complete and sign Form I-983 and submit it to their international office.
  • Form I-983 is only submitted to SEVP or USCIS upon request. Students are required to submit it under the circumstances listed below.
  • For more information, go to Form I-983 Overview, which is linked below. Students submit the Form I-983 to [email protected].
  • Do not copy any alternate Office of International Programs email:
    • The student is applying for the OPT STEM Extension benefit
    • The student has changed employers during the OPT STEM Extension period
    • Material changes or deviations to the terms and conditions of the original Form I-983 on record with the Office of International Programs.

OIP Form I-983

SEVP FORM I-983 OVERVIEW

Students are required to report the following information during their OPT STEM Extension period. All information is submitted to the OPT Reporting Form linked below:

  • Any change in the physical address where the student resides within 10 days of moving
    Any change in their employer during the OPT STEM Extension period

In addition, students are required to report their current physical address where they reside and the employer’s information every six months after the EAD card start date for the OPT STEM Extension.

Students must also submit an Annual Self-Evaluation report to the Office of International Programs no later than 12 months and no later than 24 months after the EAD card start date for the OPT STEM Extension.

Students are also required to submit a new Form I-983 in certain situations. For more information, please review the Form I-983 Guidance page.

OPT STEM EXTENSION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Students may review the information below regarding traveling outside the U.S. while their OPT application is pending and once their OPT has been approved.

The Office of International Programs does not recommend that students with pending OPT STEM Extension applications travel outside the U.S. after the end date of their current OPT until they are approved and receive the EAD card.

The travel signature (on the second page of the I-20) is valid for six months from the date of the signature for re-entry to the U.S.

To request a travel signature for your I-20, you must submit the Travel Signature Request Form and include all required documents listed on the form.

TRAVEL SIGNATURE REQUEST FORM (OPT STUDENTS)

Office of International Programs Travel Resources

OPT TRAVEL GUIDANCE HANDOUT

TRAVEL INFORMATION SEVP

All OPT STEM Extension students must submit an annual self-evaluation about the progress of the training experience.

Students and their employers must sign the student’s self-evaluation before the student submits it to the Office of International Programs.

STUDY IN THE STATES EVALUATION GUIDANCE

12-MONTH SELF-EVALUATION

Final Self-Evaluation

  • The 12-month Self-Evaluation is due no later than 12 months after the EAD start date for their OPT STEM Extension.
  • The Final Self-Evaluation is due no later than 24 months after the EAD start date for their OPT STEM Extension.
  • All evaluations are emailed to [email protected]. Do not copy any alternate Office of International Programs email.

The average USCIS Service Center processing time for the Form I-765 (OPT) is 2-3 months from the date of the I-765 Receipt Notice.

  • Occasionally, an application may take longer than 3 months for USCIS to process, and students need not worry if their application is taking longer than normal or longer than their friends’ applications.
  • OPT processing times vary at any given time due to several factors, including a higher volume of applications and USCIS staff turnover.

Students whose OPT application is pending more than 75 days from the receipt notice date may take the following steps:

  • After 75 days from the receipt notice date, you may call USCIS at 1.800.375.5283 to inquire about your application
  • After 90 days from the receipt notice date, you may email [email protected] to request that we send an email to the USCIS Service Center to inquire about the application
  • Please see below for additional options if your application is pending beyond 90 days from the receipt notice date

USCIS E-REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS PENDING BETWEEN 90-120 DAYS

USCIS ONSBUDSMAN ASSISTANCE FOR APPLICATIONS PENDING MORE THAN 120 DAYS

USCIS EXPEDITE CRITERIA

The Student Exchange Visitor Program regulations state that students may apply for the OPT STEM Extension if they have completed all course requirements, excluding the thesis or equivalent (comprehensive exam).

  • This would indicate that a student may file for the 24-month OPT STEM Extension if they have completed all their coursework for their STEM-eligible degree, except for completing their thesis or passing their comprehensive exam.
  • Students apply for the OPT STEM Extension by submitting all documents as indicated on the OPT STEM Extension Application Checklist linked above.
  • The Office of International Programs will contact the student’s academic department and the Graduate School to verify the student’s remaining graduation requirements.
  • Once the Office of International Programs has confirmed the student’s eligibility, we will issue the OPT STEM Extension I-20.

LOSS OF ELIGIBILITY: Please note that a student who has exceeded the maximum number of allowed attempts to pass the comprehensive exam or otherwise is not eligible to complete their degree in the STEM eligible degree from East Texas A&M will not be eligible for the OPT STEM Extension.

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