OPT/STEM学生信息

This information is made available here for students who have graduated and thus can no longer log in to the resources on UIS myCharger pages. Students with active log-in credentials should seek more information about employment on the student visa in myCharger. Students who are applying for OPT or the STEM extension should consult the 选择手册 accessible in the Navigation Panel for detailed instructions.

Optional Practical Training and the STEM Extension on the F-1 Visa

Post-completion Optional Practical training (OPT) is a 12-month employment authorization available to F-1 students who have been lawfully enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and are completing the required coursework to earn an academic degree at the Associates, 单身汉, 大师, 或博士水平.

F-1 students are permitted one period of OPT after each degree level, and they must engage only in employment directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. 完成后OPT在I-20项目结束日期之后开始, and must conclude no later than 14 months after the program end date.

完成科学学位的学生, 技术, 工程, or mathematics may be eligible for a two-year STEM extension of their post-completion OPT, depending on the support and eligibility of their employers.

资格

有资格申请毕业后OPT, the student must have been in valid visa status and lawfully enrolled for at least one full academic year immediately preceding their I-20 program end date. UIS recommends that students confirm with their academic advisor that they are on track to complete their coursework as planned, 在开始OPT申请流程之前. Students may apply up to 90 days prior to their program end date and up to 60 days past their program end date. Due to UIS processing times, it is highly recommended that students apply early. UIS will provide virtual information sessions in March for students graduating in May or August, 12月毕业的学生则在10月毕业.

才有资格申请STEM延期, 学生必须完成合格学位, 如 国土安全部STEM指定项目清单 from an accredited and SEVP-certified school; be employed full-time (20+ hours per week) in a qualifying job that is related to their field of study; AND work for a qualifying employer that is E-Verified and able to fill out an I-983.

观看我们的录音 STEM扩展虚拟信息会话 要了解更多信息，请查看我们的 STEM扩展资讯会 指南.

OPT /茎时间表
  1. 90 Days prior to the completion of Coursework (I-20 Program End Date) – post-completion OPT application begins. Deadline to apply is 60 days after the I-20 program end date.
  2. 学生完成Canvas课程并提交 完成后OPT I-20申请表. 美国向学生签发OPT申请I-20.
  3. I-20签发后30天内, 学生向美国移民局提交I-765申请, which issues an I-797 Receipt Notice with the student’s case number.
  4. USCIS adjudicates the OPT application, usually in about 3 months. USCIS发给学生OPT批准通知.
  5. The EAD card is manufactured and shipped separately to the student.
  6. If the student has also applied for the SSN on the same I-765, 另一个联邦机构, 社会保障局, 会否处理申请及获批后, SSN卡会寄给学生吗.
  7. When the student acquires an employment, they notify the UIS and submit the 更新OPT/STEM信息表 有了招聘信息.
  8. 美国更新SEVIS记录并重新打印I-20, 其中包括雇主信息, 哪个给学生.
  9. The student continues to report to the UIS any changes in employment or personal contact information using the 更新OPT/STEM信息表.
  10. 如果符合条件, the student begins the STEM Extension application 90 days prior to the EAD expiration date. 申请的截止日期是EAD的截止日期. Find detailed instructions in the 选择手册 accessible in the Navigation Panel.
  11. 学生提交 STEM OPT I-20申请表 to the UIS along with the I-983 and other requested evidence. 美国向学生签发STEM申请I-20.
  12. I-20签发后60天内, 学生向美国移民局提交I-765申请, which sends the student an I-797 Receipt Notice with the case number.
  13. USCIS adjudicates the STEM Extension application, usually in about 3 months. The student may continue working for up to 180 days while the application is pending.
  14. USCIS发给学生一份批准通知, and the new EAD card is manufactured and shipped separately to the student. The STEM start date will be one day after the post-completion EAD expiration date.
  15. The student continues to report to the UIS any changes in employment or personal contact information using the 更新OPT/STEM信息表. 雇主/工作的任何变更都需要新的I-983.
  16. STEM课程开始日期后6个月, the student reports in to the UIS using the 更新OPT/STEM信息表 to confirm their OPT participation with the current employer as reported to the UIS.
  17. STEM课程开始日期后12个月, the student reports in to the UIS to confirm their OPT participation with the current employer as reported to the UIS, 并提交I-983的12个月评估部分.
  18. STEM课程开始日期后18个月, the student reports in to the UIS to confirm their OPT participation with the current employer as reported to the UIS.
  19. STEM课程开始日期后24个月, the student reports in to the UIS to confirm their OPT participation with the current employer as reported to the UIS, and submits the final 24-month evaluation section on the I-983.
  20. 在OPT/STEM期间的任何时间, the student may change status from F-1 to another visa status (often the H1-B professional workers visa) if their employer chooses to sponsor them. 如果得到批准, the student transitions to the new visa status and is no longer under the visa jurisdiction of the University. Frequently asked questions about the change of status to H1-B visa are found in the 选择手册 accessible in the Navigation Panel. Please note that the University is not involved in the H1-B application, rather the student should work with their employer’s attorney or HR Office.
  21. 当STEM扩展结束时, the student may start a new academic program at the same school or transfer to another school. 如果没有，学生有60天的时间离开美国.S.