F-1 Student Employment and Training

Curricular practical training (CPT) must be an integral part of an established curriculum.

At CWRU, one of the following academic objectives must be met in order to be eligible for CPT:

• The experience must be required to complete graduation requirements.
• The experience must be through an institutionally sponsored cooperative education or practicum program.

After gathering all of the information for a complete application and fulfilling the workshop requirement, students will be provided with a link to Terra Dotta where they can upload all of their application materials. An international student advisor in ISS will evaluate the application and determine a student’s eligibility. Authorized students will receive a new I-20 with a CPT endorsement. An authorized student may only work for the employer and at the location during the time listed on the I-20.

Students must complete one academic year (both fall and spring semesters) before becoming eligible for CPT (unless the work is required by the graduate academic program prior to that).

Whether or not a student will be authorized depends on whether their experience aligns with the academic objects of the university and if they submit a timely, complete application to ISS for processing.

Part-time CPT authorization has no impact on a student’s future eligibility for optional practical training (OPT); however, authorization for 12 or more months of full-time (more than 20 hours per week) CPT will result in the loss of OPT eligibility.

Students are required to complete a workshop prior to submitting their request for CPT authorization. For each CPT authorization request, a student must complete a workshop!

Workshops can be completed through either an advisor-led or online format based on the student's preference. 

To attend an advisor-led workshop (ISS highly recommends this!), registration is required. Access the full schedule and register for the desired session. 

Advisor-led CPT workshops are scheduled for 60 minutes. Please plan on arriving early and staying for the entire 60 minutes. 

Online Workshops also accessible from our Prezi website, by using a desktop computer and browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or IE.

After students complete a required workshop (advisor-led or online), they should access the CPT Application in Terra Dotta to complete the CPT Assessment and upload all of the required materials for a complete CPT application. Remember, your CPT application must be 100% complete when you submit it.  Submitting an incomplete application will cause delays in processing the new I-20 that ISS generates for you as part of the CPT process.

Responses to the assessment will be recorded and students must receive a passing score (90%) before ISS will process their application. Students who attempt the CPT Assessment but do not achieve the passing score will be contacted by an advisor.

Please make every effort to complete a workshop as early as possible to prevent any processing delays.

Again, keep in mind that ISS will only accept complete applications from students who have completed a workshop (either in-person or online). Be sure to read all of the application information carefully and prepare everything that's required for processing.

Once ISS has all of the required paperwork, we can create an I-20 in 3-5 business days. We do not expedite applications and recommend applying as far in advance as possible in case further review and documents are required.

You will receive an email notification with instructions for collecting the I-20 when has been prepared.  It is your responsibility to check the I-20 for accuracy, particularly page 2 where your authorization recommendation is listed.  If information is incorrect or missing, you need to let ISS know immediately.

No, regulations do not indicate that there must be monetary compensation in order to qualify for CPT. CPT is authorized based on meeting the academic objectives and submitting a timely filed application.

If you are receiving compensation for approved CPT, you will need to have a Social Security Number (SSN). Visit our Employment page for details on how to obtain an SSN.

It depends. Talk with an advisor during advising hours or set up an appointment to meet with an advisor to discuss your specific situation.

Part-time CPT authorization has no impact on a student’s future eligibility for OPT; however, authorization for 12 or more months of full-time (more than 20 hours per week) CPT will result in the loss of OPT eligibility. ISS makes efforts to ensure that a student does not use or exceed 12 months of full-time CPT; however, it’s ultimately the student’s decision about submitting CPT requests and at ISS’ discretion to authorize them.

CPT is meant to serve as an integral part of a student's curriculum; it is not a mechanism by which students can focus on work prior to graduation. ISS evaluates every student's application thoroughly and will not authorize requests that seem to misrepresent the intention of CPT.

If you work before obtaining proper authorization and receiving an I-20 from ISS (you must have the CPT I-20 in your possession when you commence work) you have violated your visa status.

The consequences of violating your visa status are very serious and results could include the termination of visa status.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is defined as temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. OPT is a continuation of a student's F-1 student visa status. Students must maintain status while authorized for OPT through proper employment and timely reporting.

Students in F-1 status must be lawfully enrolled in school on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year before they are eligible for OPT. Students who have been authorized for 12 or more months of full-time CPT are ineligible for OPT.

If a student has already been authorized for OPT based on earning a degree (at CWRU or another US institution), the student is eligible for OPT again upon advancing to a higher educational level. For example, a student who earns a bachelor's degree and maintains status through OPT could apply for OPT again after completing a master's degree, assuming that the student has properly maintained status and meets all eligibility requirements. 

Optional practical training is initially limited to a total of 12 months for use during (pre-completion) and after (post-completion) the completion of their program. Students may be authorized for more than one 12-month period as long as they're advancing their education from one educational level to a higher one as they complete their studies. Students who have completed coursework in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field designated by the Department of Homeland Security are also eligible for the 24-month extension of their OPT.

Students may choose to pursue pre-completion and/or post-completion OPT. As the regulations governing each type of OPT are quite distinct, it’s imperative that students consider their goals carefully before pursuing authorization.

Pre-completion OPT 

• Full-time enrollment in coursework is required.
• 20 hours/week limit while school is in session and student still has coursework to complete but full-time employment can be requested for pre-completion OPT done during official school breaks and when students have completed all requirements for their degree except for thesis or dissertation.*
• Is not subject to the unemployment provisions.
• May receive a program extension.
• May not apply for the STEM extension from a period of pre-completion OPT.
• Would not be eligible for the cap-gap extension of OPT. 

Post-completion OPT

• Completion of all degree requirements*
• Must work at least 20 hours/week.
• Is subject to the unemployment provisions.
• May not receive an extension of his or her program.
• May apply for the STEM extension if otherwise eligible.
• Would be eligible for the cap-gap extension.

*Graduate students who have completed all regular coursework and have only thesis/dissertation requirements may apply for post-completion OPT so long as they are certain that they will complete all degree requirements during the time that they are authorized for OPT. Graduate students in STEM fields will maintain their eligibility for the STEM extension. Please consult an international student advisor after you’ve attended a required OPT workshop if you have questions.

To ensure that students are prepared to properly maintain status during an authorized period of OPT and are well-informed about processing times and ISS procedures regarding OPT, ISS requires all students intending to apply for OPT to complete an OPT workshop.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is publishing that it takes 4-6 months to process submitted OPT applications. It is in your best interest to complete all requirements with ISS and submit your OPT application to USCIS as soon as possible. Preparing early will help position you to receive your authorization in a more timely manner or to better adjust in the event of any unexpected delays. Waiting until later in the semester to start the application process is not advisable! 

Typically students apply for OPT during their final semester by working through the proper procedures established by ISS.

Students are required to complete a workshop and to successfully complete the OPT Assessment hosted in the OPT Application. All required materials and detailed instructions about how to submit them are included in the OPT Application in Terra Dotta. Be sure to read all of the information carefully so that you understand how to request a new OPT I-20 from ISS and how to submit your application materials to USCIS for processing.

A non-refundable $100 administrative fee payment is due as part of a complete OPT application. Payment must be made by credit card here. Upon payment of your receipt, be sure to save a PDF/screenshot so that you can upload that to Terra Dotta; proof of payment is a required component of the application.

Keep in mind that ISS will only accept complete application materials from the student applying, and ISS will only issue the newly prepared I-20 and any feedback about the application to the student applying.

The first step in the application process is to complete a workshop, as early as possible, during the semester that you plan to apply for OPT. You do not need to have a job offer or any definitive employment plans to complete a workshop or apply for OPT!

IMPORTANT: USCIS is publishing that it takes 3-5 months to process submitted OPT applications. It is in your best interest to complete all requirements with ISS and submit your OPT application to USCIS as soon as possible. Preparing early will help position you to receive your authorization in a more timely manner or to better adjust in the event of any unexpected delays. Waiting until later in the semester to complete your OPT workshop is not advisable! 

OPT workshops are designed to educate students about the application process and their responsibilities to maintain their F-1 status while authorized for OPT. The same information is reinforced through the OPT Assessment, which students must successfully complete.

ISS offers advisor-led workshops. ISS highly recommends that students attend an advisor-led workshop with an ISS staff member who is there to guide you through all of the information! Advisor-led workshops are offered at various times and locations across campus throughout the year. Workshop dates are intentionally and strategically planned based on the 90-day application window that USCIS permits and the academic calendar’s graduation dates. Students are informed in a timely manner about scheduled advisor-led workshops each semester through ISSNews.

Advisor-led OPT workshops are scheduled for 2 hours. Please plan on arriving early and staying for the entire 2 hours.

To attend an advisor-led workshop, view the schedule and click on the link to register for your chosen session, Be sure to attend a workshop during the semester that you intend to graduate and apply for OPT. 

ISS also offers an online workshop and this format is available year-round. Completing the online workshop consists of viewing the OPT presentation on your own time and at your own pace.

Identical material is covered in the advisor-led and online workshops and you submit your application materials to ISS through the same process. Complete a workshop in the format that you prefer.

If you complete a workshop- either advisor-led or online- but don't actually apply for OPT during that semester, you will have to complete a workshop at a more appropriate time in the future.

After students complete a required workshop (advisor-led or online), they should access the OPT Application in Terra Dotta to complete the OPT Assessment and upload all of the required materials for a complete OPT application. Remember, your OPT application must be 100% complete when you submit it. Submitting an incomplete application will cause delays in processing the new I-20 that ISS generates for you as part of the OPT process.

Responses to the assessment will be recorded and students must receive a passing score (93%) before ISS will process their application. Students who attempt the OPT Assessment but do not achieve the passing score will be contacted by an advisor.

Ultimately a new I-20 with an OPT endorsement is prepared and must be included as part of the application that students submit to USCIS. Students are notified by email about their new I-20 when it is ready. That email notification will also include detailed next steps for submitting the OPT application and all the required materials to USCIS for processing.

ISS staff members review material submitted through Terra Dotta for completeness only. If there are any questions or concerns about submitted materials, advisors will reach out to students. It is a student's responsibility to follow through with any additional instructions from the advisor. It is also the student's responsibility to check all materials and the I-20 for accuracy, specifically page 2 where the OPT recommendation is included. The recommendation is based on information provided by the student. If any corrections need to be made to the I-20 or if information is missing from the I-20, the student must let an advisor know immediately.

If you have questions, speak with an ISS advisor during advising hours. Remember, only ISS staff can advise you about the procedures for OPT!

Yes! 

Student who have been authorized for OPT based on a prior earned degree are eligible for OPT again if they advance in educational level and otherwise properly maintain their status and meet all eligibility requirements.

Since USCIS changes forms, regulations, and procedures as it pleases, you will need to attend a workshop (and complete all other steps required by ISS) during the semester that you either plan to complete your program or apply for OPT to ensure that you’re well-informed about the current process and your responsibilities as an F-1 student.

Applying for OPT from outside the U.S. is not an option. Students must actually submit their most current I-94 as part of the application for OPT, which proves that they’re physically present in the U.S. at the time that they submit an application.

Applying from another state does not make you ineligible for OPT, but keep in mind that ISS works very closely with students to ensure that their application process is as smooth as possible, so applying from another state is not ideal. Hosting the OPT Application through Terra Dotta does make applying easier under these conditions, but it might not eliminate all challenges.

You must decide on a start date before ISS can create your I-20. Once you send your completed application to USCIS and are in possession of that new I-20, you cannot change your start date.

No.

Once you have submitted everything to USCIS for processing through their e-file system, the only thing left to do is wait.

USCIS will generate a receipt notice for you and you'll be able to check the status of your application on the USCIS website. All receipt numbers start with three letters (for example, LIN or WAC).

The online case status system provides the same information that can be obtained by using the Service Center phone numbers and is updated whenever there is a change to the application's status. ISS recommends creating an account on the website so that students can enter their receipt numbers and "Opt In" to receive auto-updates via email or text (or both) as updates become available.

The final step in this process will be USCIS processing your employment authorization document (EAD), commonly called the OPT card, and mailing it to the address that you indicated on your Form I-765. 

If you used ISS' address to receive your EAD, you will be notified by email upon its arrival in our office. The email message will include instructions for either picking it up in-person or having it mailed by FedEx to an address of your choosing.

Remember, students are not authorized to work until they have the EAD in their possession and the authorization dates on the EAD are valid. If a student works prior to receiving the EAD or prior to the authorization dates listed on the EAD, this is a violation of visa status and labor law. This is grounds for the termination of the student's visa status and the employer could face serious consequences for having employed someone who is ineligible to work in the US.

When students are authorized for OPT and intend to work (in the field of study and for at least 20 hours per week), they must report employment-related information within 10 days by logging into their SEVP Portal. The following situations require reporting through the Portal:

• starting a job
• ending a job
• any changes in the employer's name
• any changes in the employer's location

Learn more about reporting requirements while authorized for OPT.

Students gain access to their SEVP Portal after being approved for OPT. They will receive an email notification directly from SEVP with instructions about accessing their portal. This message generally reaches the student 2-4 weeks after being approved. If a student's OPT is approved, but they do not receive an email notification from SEVP regarding their portal, they should email international@case.edu and an advisor will look into the matter.

Remember, in order to properly maintain status while authorized for OPT, a student must never be unemployed for more than 90 days. If a student is unemployed for more than 90 days, that's a violation of visa status. USCIS tracks students' employment status based on the information that's entered in the Portal. To avoid situations where a government official may determine a student to be out of status, it is essential to comply with reporting requirements in a timely manner.

You are responsible for reporting through your SEVP Portal that you have stopped working.

The regulations allow for 90 calendar days of unemployment while you are authorized for OPT. Exceeding the limit means you have violated a condition of your lawful F-1 status and you are expected to depart the US immediately. There is no grace period when violating status.

Upon finding a new job that meets OPT criteria, be sure to update your employment information in your SEVP Portal.

In the event that a student decides to depart the US and no longer maintain F-1 status through working, they should report that information via international@case.edu and an advisor will take the necessary steps to communicate those plans to SEVP.

When a student has been approved for OPT they must report any changes in their personal contact information, within 10 days of the occurrence, through their SEVP Portal. It is very important that students promptly report this information; students risk violating their visa status if this required information is not properly documented.

Students gain access to their SEVP Portal upon being approved for OPT. They will receive an email notification directly from SEVP with instructions about accessing their portal. If a student's OPT is approved, but they do not receive an email notification from SEVP regarding their portal, they should email international@case.edu and an advisor will look into the matter.

Students intending to travel during the processing of their OPT application should be aware that the USCIS may consider their departure from the U.S. an abandonment of the application. There is no way of predicting this; students choosing to travel are making the choice of possibly forfeiting their OPT employment eligibility.

It may also depend on the particular application and the timing of travel.

If you are a student who has applied for OPT and will return to the U.S. before the program end date listed on the I-20, it should be possible to travel. You’re still considered an enrolled student, so having applied for OPT and that application being pending has no effect on your travel plans.

If you are a student who has applied for OPT and will return to the U.S. after the program end date listed on the I-20, ISS does not recommend traveling. Once your program end date as listed on your I-20 has passed, you are now maintaining your F-1 status by complying with all OPT regulations. Upon re-entry, you must be able to present:

• Valid passport and visa
• Valid I-20 with an OPT recommendation on it and a travel signature not more than 6 months old. If you need to obtain a new one, submit the Travel Signature Request Form.
• Letter of employment stating either your start date or that you’re continuing/resuming your employment after your travels.
• Valid EAD

If your application is still in process upon reentering the US, you will be unable to present your EAD card and may be denied reentry.

Yes, but you must carry the following documents with you in order to reenter the United States:

• Valid passport and visa
• Valid I-20 with an OPT recommendation on it and a travel signature not more than 6 months old. If you need to obtain a new one, submit the Travel Signature Request Form.
• Letter of employment stating either your start date or that you’re continuing/resuming your employment after your travels.
• Valid EAD

OPT is a benefit for which you're eligible as an F-1 student visa holder who properly maintains status. If you need to apply for a new F-1 visa during your authorized period of OPT, the process is very similar to what you did when you applied for your visa to enroll in your academic program. Information about the visa issuance process is also available on our website. In addition, now you must demonstrate that you are properly working through your OPT to maintain your status and support your request for a new visa.

Have available:

• your EAD
• letter of employment stating either your start date or that you're continuing/resuming your employment after your travels

With any visa application, it is always best to check the website of the US Consulate or Embassy at which you will apply to learn about any other specific documentation or steps you must take as part of your application process.

The OPT STEM Extension is 24 months of additional work authorization that qualified F-1 students may choose to pursue if they are currently engaged in post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) based on a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree.

Students can benefit from 2-lifetime STEM OPT periods so long as the degree that serves as the basis for a second lifetime STEM OPT Extension is at a higher educational level than the degree
that served as the basis for the first authorization.

Learn more about the STEM Extension and the application process.

STEM Extension authorization is adjudicated by USCIS, just like the first 12 months of OPT authorization. Ultimately it is USCIS’ decision to authorize or deny OPT STEM Extension requests.

Students applying for a STEM Extension may qualify if:

• their most recently conferred degree (bachelor, master, or doctorate level) as listed on their current I-20 is in a DHS STEM-Designated Degree Program. The CIP code on the I-20 has to match a CIP code on DHS's list.
• they have completed all coursework requirements in a DHS STEM-Designated Degree Program and are currently completing the thesis/dissertation requirement for their current degree (bachelor, master, or doctorate level) as listed on their current I-20.
• they have a prior degree (at the bachelor, master, or doctorate level) in a DHS STEM-Designated program that was conferred within the last 10 years from a SEVP certified school and will be pursuing employment during the 24 month STEM period that is directly related to the prior degree’s field of study.

Other requirements to qualify for the STEM Extension are focused on the employer and category of employment. They include:

• the student's employer must be registered in E-Verify and they represent a bona fide employer-employee relationship.
• a complete Form I-983 must be on file with ISS and the student and employer must agree to report to ISS when the student is terminated or leaves employment.

There are several employment reporting requirements to maintain F-1 status while authorized for a STEM Extension. Please read on for more information about the I-983 and its requirements.

• 20 or more hours of work each week in a paid position directly related to the STEM field of study and designated as an allowable employment arrangement that demonstrates a bona fide employer-employee relationship.
• A bona fide employer-employee relationship is not expressly defined by the regulations; however, the Department of Homeland Security offers an interpretation where, "students cannot qualify for STEM OPT extensions unless they will be bona fide employees of the employer signing the Training Plan, and the employer that signs the Training Plan must be the same entity that employs the student and provides the practical training experience."
• Based on this interpretation, certain types of employment arrangements would not qualify for a STEM Extension:
  • Employment through “temp” agencies
  • Employment through consulting firm
  • Employment as an independent contractor or work for hire
  • Employment through sole proprietorship

If you are employed through one of these arrangements and apply for a STEM Extension, your application may be denied. Please consult with ISS if you have questions.

Students must apply for the STEM OPT Extension before their post-completion (initial 12 month) OPT expires. Waiting too long to apply could result in the denial of the extension. Students applying for a STEM Extension must submit applications to USCIS so that they are processed while still authorized for post-completion OPT. STEM Extensions received after the expiration of the current OPT and during the student's grace period will be denied.

USCIS will accept STEM OPT Extension applications up to 90 days prior to the current OPT period expiring so plan to apply to ISS no earlier than that as well. ISS processing for STEM Extension requests, which includes generating a new I-20, takes 5-10 business days. Students are encouraged to apply earlier rather than later because of the timing. Waiting too long to apply could result in the denial of the extension. Please direct all questions about the STEM Extension to ISS.

The documentation that students prepare for a STEM Extension is similar to what was done for the first OPT application. The following documents must be submitted through USCIS' e-filing system. ISS has prepared an e-filing guide to help with this process.

• A complete 1-765*
• $410 fee paid to USCIS
• Two (2) passport-size photos taken within the last 30 days with the student’s name printed on the back of each. Old photos will cause an application to be returned!
• Copies of ALL I-20s, arranged from newest to oldest, that show prior OPT and or CPT endorsements. If the I-20 does not show an OPT and or CPT endorsement, you do not have to include it.
• Copy of I-94 admission record
  • If a student has not traveled since May 2013 and still has a paper I-94, copy the front AND back.
• Copy of biographical page from valid passport
• Copy of current or previously issued OPT card (front and back)
• Copy of the diploma or copy of the transcripts if the student is still pursuing a degree.

*A complete 1-765 should be electronically filed with USCIS. Do NOT e-file before you receive the OPT I-20 from our office. USCIS will deny your application if you do not have your STEM OPT I-20. 

In addition to these documents, a complete Form I-983 Training Plan is essential to the 24-month STEM OPT Extension. This document does not get e-filed with the other application materials for USCIS, but must be submitted to ISS and kept on file. For more information about the Form I-983, please continue reading.

Learn more about the STEM Extension and the application process.

Students may request the STEM Extension I-20 from ISS 90 days prior to their current OPT expiring. Students make the request by accessing the Quick Link on the homepage called "Request a STEM Extension." Step-by-step instructions about materials to upload and information about what students can expect from ISS during the review process are all provided. Keep in mind that ISS will only process I-20s based on complete applications. Your application is not considered complete until all materials, including proof of having paid the non-refundable $175 administrative fee, are uploaded properly. Pay administrative fees. 

Processing for STEM Extension I-20s takes 5 to 10 business days so students are encouraged to apply earlier rather than later. Waiting too long to apply could result in the denial of the extension. Please direct all questions about the STEM Extension to ISS.

When the new I-20 is ready, ISS will contact students by email with instructions about how to collect it. 

It is the student's responsibility to check the I-20 for accuracy, specifically page 2 where the STEM OPT recommendation is included. The recommendation is based on information provided by the student. If any corrections need to be made to the I-20 or if information is missing from the I-20, the student must let an advisor know immediately.

As part of that email notification, ISS will include information about how to organize the application materials, where to send it for processing by USCIS, and when to comply with required reporting requirements.

The Form I-983 Training Plan is essential to the 24-month STEM OPT Extension.

The student and the employer complete a Form I-983 Training Plan, and the student submits the completed plan to ISS as part of the application process for the STEM Extension. ISS reviews the Form I-983 submitted by the student, and determines that it is "complete, signed, and addresses all program requirements."

ISS is not responsible for determining the accuracy or correctness of the information provided on the I-983. The student and employer are responsible for providing accurate and true information and abiding by the terms and conditions of the Form I-983 as set forth in the regulations and on the Form I-983 and Form I-983 instructions.

Form I-983 consists of seven pages:

Here are some resources that we hope will be helpful when completing the Form I-983 Training Plan:

• Form I-983
• Form I-983 Instructions (PDF)

SEVIS Help Hub resources:

• Form I-983 overview
• Form I-983 tutorial
• DSOs and the Form I-983
• Students and the Form I-983
• Employers and the Form I-983

ISS has generated a chart to help students better understand the reporting requirements. There are reporting requirements that require validation every six months as well as some that require an update when the change occurs.

ISS has also created a reporting tool to help students identify when their six-month validations are due so that they can best prepare to promptly report the required information to ISS through the appropriate STEM OPT Update reporting tool.

Below are some key reminders for students and their employers:

Students must submit to ISS:

• The required six-month validation report occurs during months 6, 12, 18, and 24 of the students authorization period and must be submitted to ISS within 10 business days of each six-month validation due date.
  After receiving the student's validation report, ISS must update SEVIS no sooner than 15 days before and no later than 31 days after each 6-month reporting due date.
• Any changes to the following, must be submitted to ISS within 10 days of the change:
  • student's legal name
  • mailing and physical addresses
  • When the student stops working for an employer
  • When the student starts working for a new qualifying employer
• ISS will update SEVIS within 21 days of receiving notification of the above changes from the student.
• Required self-evaluations must be submitted no later than 10 days following the end of any employment opportunity, in addition to the 12 and 24- month marks from the start of the authorized STEM Extension period.
• Material change to the training plan described on the Form I-983 by submitting a modified Form I-983 to ISS as soon as possible.
  ISS retains students’ self evaluations and versions of Form I-983 for a period of 3 years following the completion of each STEM Extension authorization.

The employer must report to ISS:

• When a student is terminated or leaves employment, within 5 business days of the termination or departure.
  ISS will update SEVIS when required within 21 days of receiving notification of these changes.
• When there has been a material change to the training plan described on the Form I-983 on file with the DSO, by submitting a modified Form I-983 to the ISS, "at the earliest available opportunity." This is a shared obligation with the student to submit a modified Form I-983.
  ISS retains students’ self evaluations and versions of Form I-983 for a period of 3 years following the completion of each STEM Extension authorization.

Material changes or deviations to Form I-983 may include, but are not limited to:

• Any change of the employer’s IRS Employer Identification Number, (EIN - the company’s Federal Tax ID number) resulting from a change in the employer’s ownership or structure, such as a corporate restructuring.
• Any reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked.
• Any significant decrease in the number of hours of work per week that was specified on the Form I-983.
• Any decrease in hours of work that would reduce the student's total hours with that employer to less than 20 hours per week.
• Changes to the employer’s commitments or student’s learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.

The kinds of changes that will require a modified Form I-983 are not limited to the above list. Reporting material changes to the training plan keeps students and employers accountable to the original Form I-983 and ensures that ISS and DHS have access to accurate information about STEM OPT students.

ISS has generated a chart to help students better understand the reporting requirements.

Study in the States also offers a chart that helps explain the many requirements that students must address and when.

If there are material changes to or deviations from the training plan as described in the Form I-983 that ISS has on file during the course of the 24-month STEM OPT Extension period, the student and employer must complete and sign a modified training plan reflecting the those changes. The student and employer are then jointly responsible for submitting the modified Form I-983 to ISS as soon as possible.

It is not the ISS’ responsibility to be proactive with material changes. It is the student's responsibility to provide changes in information, and failure to do so would constitute a violation of the student's F-1 status.

Students can report material changes to ISS by submitting their update to Terra Dotta.

ISS staff members receive notifications when students submit updates. Staff members will only contact students regarding their update if they have questions or concerns. 

If a student does not receive any notification from an ISS staff member, it is safe to assume that the update is being processed successfully. 

If a new I-20 is prepared as the result of any submitted updates, students will be notified by email when that new I-20 is ready. It generally takes 5-7 business days for a new I-20 to be prepared.

When USCIS receives the application, you will receive an email or text confirmation. A paper receipt (I-797C) will follow. A student in possession of the receipt notice from USCIS Regional Processing Centers can check the application status on the USCIS website. All receipt numbers start with three letters (for example, YSC or WAC).

The online system provides the same information that can be obtained by using the Service Center phone numbers and is updated whenever there is a change to the application's status. ISS recommends creating an account on the website so that students can enter their receipt numbers and "Opt In" to receive auto-updates via email or text (or both) as updates become available.

Just like with your OPT application, you will eventually get an EAD card issued by USCIS if you are authorized for a STEM Extension.

Yes! The regulations regarding the STEM Extension are written to allow students who have properly filed a STEM Extension application to continue working for up to 180 days while the application is pending with USCIS.

You are responsible for reporting through Terra Dotta that you have stopped working.

The regulations allow for 90 calendars days of unemployment while you are authorized for 12 months of OPT and an additional 60 days when you're authorized for a STEM extension for a total of 150 calendar days. Exceeding the limit means you have violated a condition of your lawful F-1 status and you expected to depart the US immediately. There is no grace period when violating status.

Upon finding a new job and employer that both meet the STEM OPT eligibility criteria, you must file a new Form I-983 with with ISS through Terra Dotta prior to starting the new job.

ISS does not recommend that students travel abroad while their applications are being processed. All officers at U.S. Ports of Entry have been told to enforce a regulation requiring that students reentering the U.S. be able to present their:

• passport valid for at least six months into the future,
• valid I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation on it and a travel signature that's fewer than six months old, If you need to obtain a new signature, submit the Travel Signature Request Form.
• valid visa,
• Letter of employment stating either your start date or that you’re continuing/resuming your employment after your travels.
• a valid employment authorization document (EAD)

If a student's STEM Extension application is still in process upon reentering the US, the student will not be able to present the required EAD and may be denied reentry.

If a student must travel abroad and cannot produce all items, please consult with an advisor at ISS before departing.

Yes, but you must carry the following documents with you in order to reenter the United States:

• Valid passport and visa
• Valid I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation on it and a travel signature not more than 6 months old. If you need to obtain a new one, submit the Travel Signature Request Form.
• Letter of employment stating either your start date or that you’re continuing/resuming your employment after your travels.
• Valid EAD

STEM OPT is a benefit for which you're eligible as an F-1 student visa holder who properly maintains status. If you need to apply for a new F-1 visa during your authorized period of STEM OPT, the process is very similar to what you did when you applied for your visa to enroll in your academic program. Learn more about the visa issuance process. In addition, now you must demonstrate that you are properly working through your STEM OPT to maintain your status and support your request for a new visa.

Have available:

• your valid EAD
• letter of employment stating either your start date or that you're continuing/resuming your employment after your travels

With any visa application, it is always best to check the website of the US Consulate or Embassy at which you will apply to learn about any other specific documentation or steps you must take as part of your application process.