F-1 students who:

• are on OPT following completion of a STEM degree
• are currently on post-completion OPT and have only worked for a U.S employer in a job directly related to student's STEM field listed on I-20
• have or will have an employer registered with E-verify
• have never had a previous OPT STEM Extension (STEM Extensions provide a once in a lifetime authorization)

E-verify is a program that electronically compares information on the I-9 form with Social Security and DHS records to help employers verify identity and employment eligibility of new hires. It is currently free in all 50 states. Your employer can register with E-verify at www.uscis.gov.

An F-1 student must apply for the STEM Extension in the 90 days window before the current EAD expires. You cannot apply more than 90 days before your OPT is scheduled to expire. You must submit your OPT STEM Extension application materials to USCIS no later than 60 days after the I-20 with the OPT STEM recommendation was created.

The STEM Extension work authorization begins on the day after the expiration of the initial post-completion OPT authorization, and ends 24 months later, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved. Students who timely file a STEM Extension application will be able to continue employment with the E-verify employer while the extension application is pending, until adjudication or for 180 days, whichever comes first.  

Yes. However, you can only change employment to another employer registered with E-verify. The employment must also be directly related to your STEM degree. It is NOT recommended to change E-verify employers while the application is pending with USCIS since the I-765 names a specific employer. 

During this time, your F-1 status is dependent on employment. Students must not accrue an aggregate of more than 120 days of unemployment during the total 36 month OPT period.  

STEM OPT students must report to the the Office of International Admissions every 6 months following the start date of the 24-month extension, even if there is no information to update. The student must report: legal name, residential or mailing address, e-mail address, employer name, and employer address.  Students can report this information starting 15 days before the reporting date and up to 31 days after. SEVIS will automatically terminate a student's OPT and F-1 status if the student fails to report to his/her school within this time frame. This information is to be reported at: international@sunypoly.edu with "OPT STEM REPORTING" in the subject line of your email. In addition, please complete form OPT STEM REPORTING.

No. To be eligible for the OPT extension, the student must currently be in an approved post-completion OPT period based on a designated STEM degree. If my primary major is not a STEM degree but my secondary major is in STEM, do I qualify? Yes, as long as the secondary major is listed on your I-20 and your current OPT work directly relates to that major. 

RECEIVE, REVIEW, AND MAIL YOUR STEM APPLICATION PACKET TO THE USCIS

After you receive the STEM OPT I-20 form and enclosure from the Office of International Admissions, you are responsible for reviewing your STEM application and sending it to the USCIS. It is crucial that you send an application that is complete and accurate. Incomplete and/or inaccurate applications may result in delay or denial of your STEM OPT. We strongly recommend that you send it express mail such as Fedex, or UPS, or by USPS Certified Mail / Return Receipt Requested, so that you can track it to ensure it arrives to the USCIS successfully.  

The following items must be included when you send your STEM application:

1. Original completed I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with original signature. DO NOT send the I-765 photocopy.

2. Photocopy of a signed new STEM  I-20 pages 1 and 2. You must sign your new I-20 before making a photocopy.

3. Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance - this form is optional. If you include it, you will receive an email or text message informing you that the USCIS has received your application. 

4. Proof of the STEM Degree (copy of diploma or official/unofficial transcript)

5. Two (2) passport-style photos taken within 30 days of filling the application. The photos must be a full frontal face position and meet the specification for full frontal passport photos. Fore more information on photo standards, consult the Department of State website. Lightly print you name and admission number (I-94) in pencil (so the number does not smear) on the back of each picture. The admission number is your tracking number with USCIS.

6. Filing fee: Check or money order for $410.00 Make check payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

7. Photocopies of the following:

   1. Biographical page(s) of your passport, including the expiration date. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months in the future at the time of STEM OPT application.

   2. The most recent F-1 visa stamp in your passport (citizens of Canada are exempt from the visa requirement).

   3. The most recent admission stamp from your passport.

   4. An electronic I-94 printout that you can retrieve from the CBP website.

   5. Pages of ALL previously issued I-20s (SUNY Poly and any other institutions). Make certain all I-20s have been signed by you. USCIS may deny your application if copies of all I-20s are not included. If you don't have all I-20s issued to you, please write a letter stating that you did not keep the previous I-20s.

   6. Any previously issued employment authorization document (EAD)

MAILING YOUR APPLICATION TO THE USCIS

NOTE: All documents should be single-sided copies. Do not staple any documents.

• Check your application for completeness and accuracy.

• Double check the I-765 and the STEM OPT I-20 have been signed within the last 21 days.

• Make a copy of your application for your records.