Students with degrees in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are eligible for an additional 24 months of work authorization after the completion of the first 12 months of their Optional Practical Training (OPT). To view if you are eligible, confirm that the Major CIP Code printed on your I-20 is listed on the DHS Study in the States website. stem-list.pdf (ice.gov)

STEM Extension requests must be filed before the expiration of the 12 month OPT period. Students who file a timely application are permitted to continue employment while the extension application is pending until a final decision is made or for an additional 180 days, whichever comes first. The earliest a student may apply for a STEM Extension is 90 days before the expiration of their 12 months of OPT. 

Students interested in applying for the STEM Extension must read the information provided below thoroughly and carefully before contacting the International Services Office. 

Application Process:

1. Request a STEM-Extension Request I-20

Students must submit the following documents to the International Services Office to request an I-20 reflecting a STEM Extension request: 

1. STEM OPT Request Form
2. Copy of completed Form I-983 (Instructions for filling out a Form I-983 can be found here: Official Government Tutorial Here (Do not fill out the self-evaluation section on pages 6 & 7) 
3. Copy of completed Form I-765
4. Copy of current EAD card 
5. Copy of Offer Letter (dated within the last 4 months) 

Upload all items as PDFs to the STEM OPT I-20 Request e-form. It will take five business days to process your I-20, and the DSO will reach out to you with any additional questions they may have. 

2. Completing your application packet:

Collect and arrange the following documentation in the order listed below (from top to bottom) 

1. A check or money order made payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” for the current application fee as posted at www.uscis.gov/i-765.
2. Two (2) recent, color, passport-size photographs with your name and I-94 number printed on the back 
3. Completed G-1145
4. Completed, one-sided, signed I-765
5. Copy of your new I-20 with your STEM Extension Request on page 2, signed and dated. (Do not send the original!)
6. Copies of page 1 and 2 of ALL previous I-20’s issued to you from the University of New Haven
7. Color copy of your current EAD card (OPT Card)
8. Copy of an offer letter (dated within the last 4 months)
9. Color copy of passport 
10. Color copy of your visa 
11. Most recent I-94 record (Retrieved here)
12. Sealed, official transcripts from the University of New Haven
13. Copy of diploma

Once you have collected all documentation, you must mail your STEM OPT application packet to USCIS. Follow the instructions as posted on www.uscis.gov/i-765.

Important Notes:

Once your application is processing, you cannot change jobs until you receive your new STEM EAD card. Changing jobs before receiving your new STEM EAD card can result in termination of your work authorization.

Do not send your Form I-983 to USCIS with the rest of your documents. You will submit your Form I-983 to the University and a DSO will upload the information to your SEVIS record. 

The ISO is able to provide you with general guidance. However, any advice provided to you by our office does not constitute legal advice. Additionally, due to the fluid nature of governmental interpretation, the USCIS may change its interpretation of immigration policies, procedures, regulations, and eligibility requirements for benefits at any time. This office will do its best to provide you with the most current guidance, but please be mindful that each case is fact-specific and it is advised that you contact an experienced immigration attorney if you have questions regarding your situation.

Review the important information on this page regarding reporting and changing employers while on STEM OPT. Always keep the ISO updated on the following via the forms linked on this page – THE SEVIS SYSTEM RUNS AUTOMATIC TERMINATIONS OF SEVIS RECORDS AND MAY TERMINATE YOUR WORK AUTHORIZATION IF YOU DO NOT REPORT THIS INFORMATION!

• Change of Address and Contact Information 
• Change of Employer 
• Six-month Reporting 
• Self-evaluation Forms (12-month and 24-month)
• Change of Status (H-1B, F-2, etc.)

Questions? Email the ISO at iso@newhaven.edu . 

While your STEM OPT application is processing, you cannot change jobs until you receive your new STEM EAD card. Changing jobs before receiving your new STEM EAD card can result in termination of your work authorization.

If a student wishes to change employer once they have been authorized for STEM OPT and received their EAD card, they must complete the following: 

• Submit the STEM OPT Employment Information Form
• Upload the new offer letter
• Upload the EAD card

ADDITIONALLY, students on STEM OPT who are changing jobs must upload the following two documents on the same STEM OPT Employment Information Form as above. 

• New Form I-983 completed with the new employer
• Copy of “Final Evaluation On Student Progress” found on pg. 5 of the Form I-983 completed by the previous employer.

Travel outside of the U.S. while my STEM OPT application is PENDING

Travel outside of the U.S. while the STEM OPT application is pending is strongly discouraged. If you need to travel outside of the U.S., please consult with the ISO. 

Travel outside the U.S. after my STEM OPT application is APPROVED

Once the STEM OPT application is approved and the student has received their EAD card, they may travel outside of the United States, as long as they have the appropriate documents when re-entering the U.S.

Students approved for OPT will need the following to re-enter the U.S. after international travel:

• The most recent Form I-20 with a valid travel signature (valid for 6 months while on STEM OPT);
• A valid passport;
• A valid F-1 visa;
• A valid EAD card; 
• A letter from your employer proving that you are returning to a job in the United States.

If you do not have all of this documentation or you need to renew your visa there is an additional risk with travel. Please consult the ISO before traveling.