STEM Extension

Workshop
George Mason University
Office of International Programs and Services

What is STEM OPT?

OPT STEM is a 17 month extension of Optional Practical Training for students in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
The position must be at least 20hrs per week and the employer must be
registered with E-Verify http://www.dhs.gov/e-verify
If your position is unpaid, make sure you have documentation of hours worked
and how the job duties are related to your field of study (Please see SEVP OPT
Policy Guidance April 23, 2010 http://
www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/opt_policy_guidance_042010.pdf and the NAFSA
Advisers Manual 3.47.3 Types of employment allowed under STEM OPT).
OIPS advisors can answer immigration questions regarding STEM. If you have
questions about what kind of work/position is in your field of study-talk to your
academic advisor or a career counselor at Career Services.

How Can You Determine if Your

Major is a STEM Field?
Every GMU major field is assigned a numerical code under the
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), a set of codes
developed by the US Department of Education
These codes are assigned to GMU majors by SCHEV (State Council
on Higher Education in Virginia) when the University first receives
authorization to offer degrees in the field
The CIP code assigned to your major will appear on your I-20 at the
top of page 3
You can determine if your CIP code qualifies as a STEM field by
checking http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm
If you believe that your major should qualify as a STEM field but the
CIP code does not appear on the STEM list, you should consult with
your department chair. OIPS has no role in determining CIP codes or
STEM fields

STEM Eligibility Check List

You must:
Be maintaining F-1 Status
Hold a passport valid at least 6 months into the future
Currently be on Post-Completion OPT
Be applying for STEM OPT Extension for the first time (never
previously applied for a different degree level)

Currently be holding an OPT I-20 reflecting a degree in an eligible

STEM field (Please see previous slide for CIP code link)
Update employment info on OIPS website http://
oips.gmu.edu/students/students_emplt.php?type=6#OPTUpdateFo
rm
Currently be working for or have an employment offer from a
company that is registered with E-Verify

PROCEDURE:
OIPS
&
USCIS

Procedure List
Apply for STEM OPT I-20 from OIPS
- (Allow 5-10 business days)

Complete I-765
Copy all Immigration Documents
-Passport, Visa, I-94, EAD, Previous I-20s

Copy Employee Documents

-Pay Stubs, Employee Letter

Copy Proof of Degree

-Diploma or Final Transcripts

Include a payment and 2 new Photos

Mail Application
-USCIS must receive the application *BEFORE* your OPT
expires

STEM OPT I-20

Application with
OIPS
Can be found at http://
oips.gmu.edu/forms/f1/optstemextn
.pdf
Submit the STEM OPT Application
(Page 4) to the Office of
International Programs and
Services

Submitting the
STEM OPT I-20
Application
You may scan and attach the
application to email, fax, mail or
drop off at OIPS
Processing takes 5-10 business
days-Please PLAN AHEAD!

Mail: OIPS, ATTN: STEM OPT Application

George Mason University
Application
4400 University Drive, MS 4C3
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Fax: 703-993-2966
Email: oips@gmu.edu, Subject: STEM
OPT
Office Hours for Drop Off: 8:30 AM- 5 PM
M-F

Name and
Current Address

Fee Payment
Option 1: Personal Check
Make Payable to U.S. Department of
Homeland Security in the amount of $380
Remember to put I-765 and your SEVIS
ID on the For Line in the lower left hand
corner of the check
DO NOT FORGET TO SIGN YOUR
CHECK!

07/11/2012

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Three Hundred and Eighty Dollars Only
Form I-765 & Sevis #N000XXXXXXX

380.00

John Doe

Fee Payment
Option 2: Money Order
Make Payable to U.S. Department
of Homeland Security in the
amount of $380
DO NOT FORGET TO SIGN
YOUR MONEY ORDER!

Photos
Two color passport-style
photographs
Print Name and Date of Birth on
back
Passport Color Photo
Requirements:
http://www.travel.state.gov/passpor
t/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.ht
ml

I-765 Form
Download from http://
www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765.p
df
We STRONGLY recommend
that you type when filling out
your I-765 form

Remember
to select
the renewal
box

Only Family
Name in CAPS

Use an address that will be stable for the

next 120 days; The U.S. Government will
not forward government mail-if returned for
a bad address, your card will be destroyed

Obtain from
Employer;
Make sure it
is NOT the
TAX ID

Eligibility
Code:
C3C

Degree
Level and
CIP Code

Sign in this space, between the lines only

ONLY an attorney or representative should sign in

this area; otherwise DO NOT write here

Photocopy of
STEM Extension
I-20 and all past
I-20s
The photocopy should be of pages
1 and 3 for each I-20
Put them in reverse chronological
order (Oldest I-20 on bottom and
most recent I-20 on top)

Passport
One photocopy of identity and
expiration page(s) in your passport
(passport must be valid and
should not expire within the next 6
months)

U.S. Visa and I-94

Card

One photocopy of U.S. visa and I-94

card front and back

OPT Card and

Mailer that came
with your OPT
Card
Photocopy of your OPT Card (front
and back) and of any previously
issued EAD card and mailer that
came with it

Copy of Job
Offer Letter or
Pay stubs from
Employer

Proof of Degree
Official Transcripts or copy of diploma
with program of study listed
You may order an Official Transcript
from the Registrars Office:
registrar.gmu.edu/records/transcripts.
html

USCIS Application
Clip all items together securely and send your package to
USCIS in a way that can be tracked
Include form G-1145 so that you receive a text message or
email from USCIS when they receive your application http://
www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-1145.pdf
Remember to keep your tracking number

Where to mail USCIS Application

Express Mail, UPS, Federal Express:
USCIS
2501 S. State Hwy, 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

Regular USPS Mail:

USCIS
P.O. Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266

When Should I Apply for OPT

STEM Extension?
The application window for STEM Extension is the last 4
months of your authorized OPT. We recommend applying as
early within that window as possible. The procedure of
requesting the STEM I-20 and gathering documents typically
takes several weeks.
Your STEM Extension application, to include the STEM OPT
I-20 created by OIPS, supporting documents, and payment
must be received before your original OPT expires

STEM Timeline
Approved:
Continue
working
Submit Completed
STEM I-20
Application to
OIPS

Start

Initial
OPT
Ends!

120-150 days prior to OPT end date

90-120 days prior to OPT end
date

Submit Application and

supporting documents
to USCIS

Continue
working
until
decision
has been
made by
USCIS
Receipt
notice
updates
I-9

USCIS
makes
Decision

Denied:
Leave the
U.S within
60 days,
or enroll in
school, or
change
visa
status

While on OPT STEM you are still in

F-1 visa status!
You must report:
Change of address in the U.S. or abroad
Change of employer, to include company, supervisor, and
location information
Discontinuation of employment
Change of status to another visa type
Leaving the U.S. before the end of your OPT
Go to http://oips.gmu.edu/forms/formsf1.php and report any
changes or updates under the OPT Employment Update Online
Form

Frequently Asked
Questions

When does my STEM OPT begin?

Your STEM extension begins on the day after your original
12 months of OPT ends

I previously did STEM Extension after my

Masters degree and now I am finishing my 1
year OPT for my P.H.D. Am I eligible to
apply for another STEM Extension?
A student is NOT eligible to receive an extension more than
once, regardless of degree level.

Can I travel?
You MAY NOT travel until you receive your new STEM
extension EAD card

If I filed my STEM OPT Application

and my new EAD card has not
arrived, do I have to quit working?
You can use your I-797C Receipt Notice to update the I-9
Employment Eligibility Verification with your E-Verify
Employer for 180 days while the extension is pending. You
should not travel until you receive your new EAD card.

Can I stay in the U.S. after my

STEM OPT has ended?
From the end date of your EAD card, you have a 60-day
grace period in which you must (a) file for a change of visa
status (b) transfer to another school or get admitted into and
receive a new I-20 for a new program in the U.S. or (c) leave
the U.S. If you wish to pursue another degree (Option B),
you must be issued a new I-20 at a SEVIS approved school
for a degree seeking program within the 60-day grace period
and begin study within 5 months of ending OPT.