What is 24 month stem OPT?

The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field.

What is 24 month STEM extension?

The 24-Month STEM OPT period represents a continuation of your current F-1 status. You must stop your employment when the end date on the EAD card is reached, but may remain in the US for a 60-day grace period after the end date on your EAD card.

How long is STEM OPT valid for?

The STEM extension of OPT will be 24 months in duration. Qualifying F-1 students will thus be eligible for a total of 36 months of OPT employment authorization, including the initial 12-month OPT period.

Do STEM students get 3 years OPT?

Furthermore, the government will only grant STEM OPT to those who are in “Post-Completion” OPT. In other words, the program is for graduates, not current students. Combining Post-Completion OPT with the STEM extension allows you to stay in the US for three years after graduation on your F-1 student visa.

What does STEM OPT mean on visa?

The STEM OPT visa is a program that allows international students in the United States to extend their work authorization for an additional 24 months after the initial 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Eligibility for 24-Month STEM OPT Work Authorization Extension | Michelle Malison

What happens after STEM OPT expires?

60-Day Grace Period

When you have completed your STEM OPT, you are permitted to remain in the United States for up to sixty calendar days from the end date of your STEM OPT period in order to prepare for departure.

Do I need sponsorship if I have STEM OPT?

While on OPT and STEM OPT, a student does not need sponsorship from the employer nor is any cost required by the employer.

Can you extend STEM OPT after 24 months?

For example, you cannot do one period of 24-month OPT and then immediately apply for the second period of 24-month OPT. You must go back to school and receive a new degree at a higher level, and do another period of 12-month OPT before you are eligible to again apply for a STEM extension.

Who qualifies for STEM OPT?

To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, an F-1 student must hold a bachelor's degree or a higher degree in an eligible STEM field from an SEVP-certified school that is accredited (by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) at the time the student submits their STEM OPT extension application ...

Can I work full time on STEM OPT?

If you are authorized for post-completion OPT, you must work part time (at least 20 hours per week) or full time.

What is the minimum salary for STEM OPT?

There is no specific wage requirement for employment during STEM OPT, but the I-983 includes an attestation by the employer that compensation is commensurate with that provided to U.S. employees who provide similar duties and responsibilities.

How long can I stay unemployed on STEM OPT?

Federal law limits how long F-1 students on post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT can be unemployed. The limits are: Post-completion OPT: 90 days. STEM OPT: 150 days, which includes any days accrued while on post-completion OPT.

Can you work two jobs on STEM OPT?

You may work for more than one qualifying employer while on STEM OPT, but all employment must be related to your most recently completed degree program, all employers must be enrolled in E-Verify and complete reporting requirements (i.e. I-983s), and you must work a minimum of 20 hours a week for each employer.

Does STEM OPT get rejected?

What are common, avoidable reasons for STEM OPT Extension rejections or denials? Reason 1: USCIS received Form I-765 STEM OPT Extension application after OPT EAD end date. If USCIS receives the student's STEM OPT Extension application after their OPT EAD end, their STEM OPT Extension application will be denied.

Can I get STEM OPT twice?

Eligibility for a Second Period of STEM OPT After Higher Degree. If you enroll in a new academic program in the U.S. in the future and earn another qualifying STEM degree at a higher educational level, you may be eligible for a second period of 24-month STEM OPT (i.e. two 24 month STEM OPT extensions may be permitted).

How much is the OPT STEM fee?

You pay the $410 OPT or STEM OPT application when you file the OPT or STEM OPT application with USCIS. An employer may choose to reimburse you for the $410 OPT or STEM OPT filing fee—if the employer chooses to do so. There is no legal requirement that the employer pay your OPT or STEM OPT filing fee.

Can we apply for green card on STEM OPT?

International students can apply for Green cards which will grant them permanent residency. The policy allows extension of OPT for students engaged in employment in STEM sectors.

Can you work for free on STEM OPT?

Employment during STEM OPT must be paid as outlined on the I-983 Training Plan.

Is STEM OPT a work permit?

While a DSO recommends STEM OPT in SEVIS, it is the student who must apply for the work permit with the USCIS. If the STEM OPT is approved, USCIS will issue an EAD. DSOs should know the USCIS regulations that extend work permission in special cases while USCIS processes extension requests.

How do I know if my degree is STEM?

Check that your major is correct and STEM eligible. On the first page of your I-20, towards the middle, your major is listed. Next to the major is a series of numbers, called the CIP code. If your CIP code is listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, then your major is eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.

How many times can I apply for STEM OPT?

How many times can I apply for the STEM OPT extension? A student may obtain up to two STEM extensions provided that the second STEM extension is for a higher qualifying degree.

Do I need to renew my F-1 visa while on STEM OPT?

Renewing Your F-1 visa During OPT or STEM OPT

Even during OPT or STEM OPT, your immigration status in the US is still F-1. Therefore, you can still apply for a new F-1 visa if you need to while travelling abroad.

Do I need to tell my employer I am on OPT?

If you're on OPT, the answer to that question is yes. If they never asked—or if they did ask and the answer wasn't yes: before accepting the offer, this is the time to tell them. The issue here is that H1B sponsorship is challenging for employers, and penalties for getting it wrong are substantial.

Can I hire someone on STEM OPT?

Employers who hire STEM OPT students must follow specific reporting requirements and coordinate with a student's Designated School Official (DSO). Students, employers and DSOs develop a formal training plan that encompasses the student's term of employment.

What to do after 3 years of OPT?

Option #1: Apply for an H-1B Visa

Individuals who have a Bachelor's Degree or advanced certification, as well as an employer to sponsor their petition (note: this is a complex process that must be started months before OPT expires), may be eligible to apply for an H-1B visa.