OPT STEM Extension

Application Requirements:

• UCM I-20
  • OPT STEM Extension I-20 request form - must be submitted to International Student Services.
  • I-983 and ISS fee payment - At the time of submission, the complete I-983 must be submitted to isss@ucmo.edu and the ISS fee must be paid.

• USCIS Request
  
  • I-765, Application for Employment Authorization - Once the OPT STEM Extension I-20 is received, OPT STEM Extension applications must then be submitted to USCIS through the online I-765 application.
  • USCIS requests proof of UCM accreditation. This linked document can be uploaded to your application. UCM Accreditation Document
• OPT STEM Extension Approval
  
  • OPT STEM Extension Approved I-20 request form - must be submitted upon USCIS confirmation that you are approved for OPT STEM Extension.

Students may continue working on OPT for up to 180 days after the original OPT end date while USCIS is processing the submitted OPT STEM Extension application.

Upcoming OPT STEM Extension Live webinars (click the link to register):

• Wednesday, Feb 12 2025 3:00pm CST
• Wednesday, March 19 2025 3:00pm CST
• Wednesday, April 16 2025 3:00pm CST
• Wednesday, May 7 2025 3:00pm CST
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OPT STEM Extension Resources:

• OPT STEM Extension Powerpoint
• OPT STEM Extension video recording
• Sample I-983
• I-983 Guide and I-983 Instructions
• I-765 Guide

Eligibility Criteria:

• Degree complete -  The UCM degree must be awarded by the time that the OPT STEM Extension application is submitted.
  • All outstanding U grades must be complete.
  • Degree awarded must be indicated on the final transcript.
• Degree is STEM eligible - Only students who have completed certain UCM degrees are eligible to apply for the OPT STEM Extension.
  • The following list of UCM degrees are STEM Eligible.
  • If a student's program is not on the list, they may not apply for OPT STEM Extension.
  • Notice: Each school has different STEM eligible programs. One school may have a program that is STEM eligible, but at another school the same program is not STEM eligible.

This is due to the unique CIP Codes assigned to programs at each school.

• Job Offer - The employer must offer a paid position within the student's degree field. The employer must be e-verified and the position must include 20 hours of work per week or more.

Application Period and Deadlines:

• 3 months before - 1 day before approved post-completion OPT end date. Up to 90 days before and 1 day before the last day of post completion OPT approval.

USCIS must not receive the application before or after the application window.

• Within 60 days of OPT STEM Extension I-20 issuance.

USCIS must not receive the application more than 60 days after the issue date found on the OPT STEM Extension I-20.

• If application is not submitted to USCIS within the 60 day period, contact isss@ucmo.edu to request an OPT I-20 cancellation and reissue.
• If a 'rejection notice' is received from USCIS, contact isss@ucmo.edu to request an OPT I-20 cancellation and reissue.
  • This is especially important if resubmission after the rejection notice will near the 60 day period from when the OPT I-20 was issued.

Health Insurance: 

For information regarding enrolling in UCM Health Insurance while on OPT please go back to the forms page and select Health Insurance. 

 

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OPT STEM Employment Updates

Students approved for 24 month OPT are required to update employer details within 10 days each time that they begin working for a new employer.  Please complete the following form and submit a new form I-983 to update 24 Month OPT STEM employment details.

• New/Change of Employer during OPT/ 24 Month STEM Extension