Moving to the USA for higher studies might get heavy on your pockets and so making the best out of it is the aim for all. We do not want to miss any chance of earning dollars, but because of the strict immigration rules, it might not be that simple. The USA has few regulations that restrict foreign nationals from earning in the USA aside from their field of expertise that too, by following different rules to give job priority to American citizens. So obviously international students find it way tougher to get a job than American students.
And so it is extremely important to know all the rules and regulations before you start your journey to the USA for higher studies. International students can study in the USA by having an F1 visa, and to get part-time or full-time work, they need to apply for an OPT visa after studying in the USA for at least 12 months. So now, what is OPT?
OPT is an optional training program under which a foreign national can work in the field of their expertise while and after pursuing their degree. You can work part-time(20 hours) a week by having pre-completion OPT while you are still pursuing your degree to gain expertise and full-time(40 hours per week) with post-completion OPT after pursuing a degree. And to get OPT jobs for international students, you need to get approval from your designated school official (DSO) for getting post-completion OPT and get your EAD card. Only this will help you to earn in the USA as an international student. Various companies are constantly hiring international students, so you need to seek the help of your agent while searching for a job during your stay in the USA.
But if you belong to the science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field, you get a new 24 month period to work in the USA, which is called STEM extension for OPT. With this, you are eligible to work in the USA for the next 24 months even after finishing your 12 month OPT period. This STEM extension for OPT students is only for students in the field of Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. No other students are eligible to work in the USA after completion of the OPT visa.
What is an OPT STEM extension?
An OPT STEM extension is a 24-month extended period post completion of OPT related to temporary training to F1 student’s area of expertise. You can only apply for OPT STEM extension if you have a STEM degree, and you can only get that once you finish the degree and have participated in the initial period of regular post-completion OPT. So it is advisable not to opt for pre-completion OPT if you are planning to opt for the STEM extension.
Eligibility Criteria of OPT STEM extension:
To be eligible for 24 months OPT STEM extension, you need to meet the below-mentioned criteria if you are an F1 visa holder at the initial period of post-completion OPT:
- You should be working under an OPT visa.
- You should have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a school certified under Student and Exchange visitor program at the time you submit your OPT STEM extension application
- You can even use your previously obtained STEM degree for an extension if your 12 month period of post-completion OPT is based on a non-STEM degree, but both the degrees must be obtained from accredited and SEVP certified institutes.
In such a case, you will be eligible only if you have not used your previous STEM extension, and training will be based solely on the last STEM degrees.
- If you apply for another degree after completion of one degree falling under a STEM degree for higher education, you will be eligible for another 24-month working period.
- A school under which you are getting a degree should be authorized when you submit a STEM OPT extension application to USCIS.
- It would be best if you pursued OPT STEM extension through an employer that has enrolled in USCIS’s employment eligibility verification program.
- You always need to apply for OPT STEM extension under an employer that will provide your formal training and learning during your employment.
- You need to work for a minimum of 20 hours per week per employer while you submit your OPT STEM extension.
What is “STEM Field”?
A STEM FIELD is a field under the U.S. Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Program (CIP), which includes two-digit series containing engineering, biological science, physical science, mathematics, or any other such related field. So, in other words, the STEM field comprises of different areas of research, development, and innovation of new technologies by using computer science, mathematics, engineering, or biology knowledge.
When to submit your OPT STEM extension application?
You will need to submit your application 90 days before your post-completion OPT period ends. Recommendation for OPT will be entered by your designated school official (DSO) into your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) within 60 days of the date.
How to submit your OPT STEM extension application?
To submit your OPT STEM extension, you will need to provide your form I-765 with the appropriate application fee, mentioning your employer’s name written on an E-verify card, employer’s E-Verified Company Identification Number, or a client company identification number.
Along with this, you will need to submit a copy of your STEM degree, form I-20, and certificate of eligibility as proof of non-immigrant student status.
Once you receive your OPT extension, your responsibilities don’t end here. You still need to fulfill the reporting requirement associated with OPT STEM extension. So once you receive your OPT STEM extension, you will need to report the following changes to your designated school official (DSO) within 10 DAYS of the change:
- Your legal name
- House address or mailing address
- Email-id
- Employer’s name and address.
You need to report this information every six months, even though there are no changes in that. As a STEM OPT, student, you need to do your annual self-evaluation and send a report to your designated school official (DSO) about your progress during the training. Both employers, as well as an employee, can do this and submit a report to the DSO.
In case you are unemployed during your STEM OPT extension period, DHS allows students with extra 60 days of unemployment during the 24 months along with 90 days of OPT unemployment during the initial period of post-completion of OPT. So in total, a student gets the permission of 150 days of unemployment.
So if you are planning to study any of the STEM field subjects or are about to start make sure to remember these details and its rules and regulations to avoid getting into trouble and to make the most of your opportunity. You also need to remember that the start date of your OPT STEM extension will be the end date of your post-completion OPT. DSO cannot change these dates. Your 24 months of employment will begin when your post-completion OPT ends.
You can get your job in the US by taking the help of various job portals. Job portals have made job search for international students in the US much simpler. Hope now you know how to make the most of your opportunity to study in the USA especially if you belong to the Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field.
