General Information for 17 Month OPT
Instructions for 17 months of OPT
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STEM Students
The students who completed a BS, MS or PhD in an academic field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and are currently engaged in post-completion practical training may apply for the STEM extension if the job or job offer is from an E-verify employer. The decision for the STEM fields of study is based on CIP codes. The field of study can include either a primary major or the secondary major. See CIP code listing for OSU if you have any questions on your field of study.
Types of Employment for STEM Extension
The student must work at least 20 hours week for an E-Verify employer in a position directly related to the student’s STEM degree. A STEM extension student can volunteer, but it does not count toward the purpose of employment.
Filing Requirements
The student must file the extension in a timely manner, generally 90 days prior to the end date of the OPT. The student may continue employment while the extension is pending, until a final decision is made, or for 180 days, whichever come first.
Enrolled in E-Verify
The student must be employed by an E-Verify participating employer. You will need the E-Verify Company Identification Number, or a valid E-Verify Client Company Identification.
Degree Confirmation
The student must provide verification of the degree confirmation. The documents include an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a copy of the diploma showing the level and field of study. This information must be submitted with the application.
Duration of OPT
The authorized period for the 17-month OPT extension begins the day after the expiration of the initial post-completion OPT employment authorization, and ends 17 months later, regardless of the date the extension is approved.
Reporting Requirements for Students While on OPT
Students with an approved 17 month extension on OPT must report to the OSU International Students and Scholars office within ten days the following information:
- Any change in name or residential/mailing address
- The name and address of the employer
- Any change to the name and address of the employer
- The start date of new employment
- Any unemployment periods of time
Also, you must validate your status to the ISS office every six months starting the date the extension begins and ending when the OPT ends. The validation is a confirmation of your address, employer name and address, and/or loss of employment.
You may send the update to this web link: http://union.okstate.edu/iss/OPTupdate.htm and the ISS will update your SEVIS record. It is your responsibility as a student to confirm that your SEVIS record is up to date. You are welcome to contact the ISS to verify your student status in SEVIS.
Reporting Requirements for Employers
The employer of a student with an approved 17-month OPT extension must agree to report the termination or departure of the student to the ISS office within 48 hours of the event. Also, the employer shall consider the student to have departed when the employer knows the student has left or if the student has not reported for work for a period of 5 consecutive days without the employer’s consent. Eventually, DHS may identify other means or processes to report this event, but at this time the event will be reported to the ISS office. If would be to your advantage to inform your employer of this obligation. You would be welcome to provide the ISS contact information - Oklahoma State University, International Students and Scholars office, 076 Student Union, Stillwater, OK 74078, 405-744-5459, 405-744-8120 (fax).
Limits on Periods of Unemployment During OPT
Students granted the 17-month OPT extension may not accrue an aggregate of more than 120 days of unemployment during the total 29-month OPT period. The only exception is the periods up to 10 days between the end of one job and the beginning of the next job will not be included in the time spent unemployed.
The DSO must report the unemployment dates in SEVIS. Students who have exceeded the 120 days of unemployment while on OPT have violated their status. It is essential that the student update all employment periods in SEVIS by contacting the ISS. If the student’s record is not updated ICE/SEVP can terminate the SEVIS record if the record looks as if the student has exceeded the unemployment periods.
Traveling outside of the U.S. does impact the period of unemployment. If the student is out of the U.S. while unemployed the days spent outside the U.S. will count against the 120 day unemployment limit.
Students on OPT prior to April 8, 2008 the unemployment time will accrue only for the time spent unemployed after April 8, 2008. The unemployed time prior to April 8, 2008 will not be counted toward the 120-day unemployment limits.