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Optional Practical Training
17-Month STEM Extension Fact Sheet

The Department of Homeland Security published new federal regulations governing Optional Practical Training on April 8, 2008. These regulations allow for a 17-month extension of post-completion Optional Practical Training (for a total period of 29 months) provided that certain conditions are met.

The student must be currently authorized for a 12-month period of OPT and working for a US employer in a job directly related to the student’s field of study

The student must have successfully completed a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list, from a SEVIS-certified US college or university (see the “STEM” section below)

At the time of application for the 17-month extension, the student must have a job-offer or be employed by an employer registered with the “E-Verify” federal employment verification system. For more information on “E-Verify,” see the “E-Verify” section below. STEM students may work multiple jobs, but all the employers must be enrolled in E-Verify.

The student must not have previously received a 17-month OPT extension after earning a STEM degree.

The student must apply for the 17-month extension through the ISSS at Binghamton University. The ISSS must recommend the extension and issue a new I-20 with the recommendation noted

The student applies for the extension using form I-765 with fee (currently $340.00) to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Processing Center having jurisdiction over the student’s current place of residence

The student must file the extension application in a timely manner, before the current period of OPT expires

A student who files the application timely whose current EAD card expires while the application is pending may continue employment while the STEM extension application is pending until a final decision is made, or for 180 days, whichever comes first

STEM Information

Your most recent degree must be in a field of study that is on the Federal Government’s approved list of STEM Fields.

S = Science
T = Technology
E = Engineering
M = Mathematics

STEM Fields include

Actuarial Science
Computer Science Applications
Engineering
Engineering Technologies
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Military Technologies
Physical Sciences
Science Technologies
Medical Scientist (MS, PhD)

A detailed list of all STEM fields approved by the federal government is available at: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm

E-Verify

E-Verify was formerly known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program. E-Verify is an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration. E-Verify allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

A F-1 student applying for an OPT 17-month STEM extension can only do so if at the time of filing, the student is employed by, or has a job offer with, an E-Verify participating employer. The employer must provide the student with the company’s E verify name and company I.D. number, which are required on the I-765 Application for Employment Authorization.

For more information on E-Verify, visit:
http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

Reporting requirements

Binghamton University is now required by federal regulation to continue to maintain a student’s SEVIS record for the full period of Optional Practical Training, including any extension.

The student must agree to report the following information to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services within ten days of the change:

Change of name
Change of residential or mailing address
Name and address of employer
Change in the name or address of employer
When employment changes or terminates

The student must also agree to provide a report every six months to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services to verify the above information.

The employer must agree to report the termination or departure of the student to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, or through any other process chosen by the Department of Homeland Security.

Post-Completion OPT is Now Dependent on Employment

Students granted a 17-month OPT extension may not accrue an aggregate of more then 120 days of unemployment during the total 29-month OPT period, effective April 8, 2008. Any periods of unemployment before the effective date of April 8, 2008 do not apply. More than 120 days of unemployment after April 8, 2008 may affect eligibility for future US immigration benefits. The application could be denied because of the unemployment. A student may provide documentation for the adjudicator to consider any extenuating circumstances.

Expiry of Current EAD Card While 17-Month STEM Extension Application is Pending

Provided that the student has submitted a timely and correctly filed application for a 17-Month STEM Extension to the USCIS Processing Center, if the student has not received notice of the approval of the STEM extension application before the current EAD card’s expiration date, the student’s EAD card is extended automatically pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(6)(iv). This means that the expired card will remain valid until USCIS makes a decision on the extension application or for a period not to exceed 180 days.

Travel While 17-Month STEM Extension Application is Pending and if Current EAD Card Has Expired

A person who has applied for a 17-month OPT STEM extension, whose current EAD card has expired, cannot travel outside the United States, even if employed, until the new EAD card is received.

05/2008