International Student Services

An OPT student may be eligible for a one-time, 17-month extension of the initial OPT period if the student meets the following criteria:

• Currently on initial OPT
• Within 120 days prior to the OPT expiration date
• Graduated with a degree from a designated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program AND
• Has employment with an E-Verify employer in a position related to the STEM degree

Please view the presentation slides for more information about the 17-Month OPT Extension application process and detailed instructions for filling out the request forms.

 

E-Verify

E-Verify is a federal, online employment authorization system. To access the system employers register and commit to verify the authorization of all newly hired employees. For more information, check the E-Verify page at the USCIS website.

Note: As of June 2011 UT Dallas is a registered E-Verify employer.

Eligible Degrees

Determine your eligibility by checking if the major listed on your UT Dallas I-20 matches one of the programs listed below.

UTD I-20 Majors on the STEM Designated Degree Program List

I-20 Major Value	CIP Code
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia	9.0702
Computer and Information Sciences, General	11.0101
Information Science/Studies	11.0401
Biomedical/Medical Engineering	14.0501
Computer Engineering, General	14.0901
Computer Software Engineering (NEW)	14.0903
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering	14.1001
Telecommunications Engineering	14.1004
Materials Engineering	14.1801
Mechanical Engineering	14.1901
Systems Engineering	14.2701
Industrial Engineering	14.3501
Biology/ Biological Sciences, General	26.0101
Biomedical Sciences, General	26.0102
Biochemistry	26.0202
Molecular Biology	26.0204
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology (NEW)	26.0406
Microbiology, General (NEW)	26.0502
Neurobiology and Neurophysiology (NEW)	26.0906
Bioinformatics (NEW)	26.1103
Biotechnology	26.1201
Neuroscience	26.1501
Mathematics, General	27.0101
Applied Mathematics	27.0301
Statistics, General	27.0501
Biological and Physical Sciences	30.0101
Cognitive Science	30.2501
Chemistry, General	40.0501
Geology/Earth Science, General	40.0601
Physics, General	40.0801
Developmental and Child Psychology	42.2703
Experimental Psychology	42.2704
Geographic Information Science and Cartography	45.0702
Actuarial Science	52.1304

 

Application Process for OPT Extension

Applying for an OPT extension is similar to applying for OPT; you pay the $100 Practical Training Fee, submit an application to the UT Dallas ISSO, a new I-20 is generated and you mail a copy of that I-20 with other documents to a USCIS Service Center.

• USCIS must receive your application before your OPT authorization expires.
• The earliest date you can apply is 120 days prior to the OPT expiration date.
• Like OPT, you can expect USCIS to require 2-3 months to process your request.
• Your OPT authorization will extend up to 180 days past the OPT expiration date while the extension application is pending. However, during that time you must meet the job requirements of the extension, such as working for an E-Verify employer.
• If approved, an OPT extension EAD will be mailed to the address listed on the submitted I-765 showing an additional 17 months of OPT.

To obtain an OPT Extension I-20, submit the following documents to the UT Dallas ISSO:

• Pay the $100 Practical Training Fee* through the UT Dallas Online Store at: https://ezpay.utdallas.edu/C20239_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=241
• Submit the following to the ISSO:
  • OPT Extension Request Form
  • Copy of completed I-765, including all fields on Items #17 (Note: “degree” = degree on current I-20)
  • Copy of your current OPT EAD
  • OPT Employer Report Form (even if you have already previously submitted it)
• You will be sent an email when the OPT Extension I-20 is ready for pickup, within three business days. Mailing instructions will be supplied with the I-20.  If you are outside the Dallas area, the items can be mailed to you.

The application packet you mail to the USCIS Service Center must include the following:

• 2 passport photos
• Check for $380, made payable to Department of Homeland Security (Print I-94 number at top. Staple your check in the middle; keep the photos at the left hand top corner.)
• Original I-765 form including: employer name, employer E-verify identification number or a valid E-Verify Client Company Identification Number and your degree as it appears on your current I-20 on #17 of the I-765 form
• Copy of OPT Extension I-20, pages 1 and 3
• Copy of passport ID page showing picture and expiration date
• Copy of I-94, front and back
• Copy of visa showing expiry date (F-1)
• Copy of current EAD
• Copy of your diploma related to this period of OPT or UT Dallas transcript showing degree conferred
• Copy of your job offer letter
• G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Optional)

Mailing the Application

According to the USCIS website, the application mailing address is determined by the address listed on the I-765.

Dallas Lockbox address:  Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S Virgin Islands or West Virginia

Phoenix Lockbox address: All other U.S. states.

 

Dallas Lockbox U.S. Post Office - USCIS P.O. Box 660867 Dallas, TX 75266   Courier deliveries - USCIS Attn: AOS 2501 S. State Hwy 121 Business Suite 400 Lewisville, TX 75067

Phoenix Lockbox U.S Post Office - USCIS P.O Box 21281 Phoenix, AZ 85036   Courier deliveries - USCIS Attn: AOS 1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S Suite 100 Phoenix, AZ 85034

Limits on Unemployment

To maintain F-1 visa status, students on the 17-month extension must not exceed a total of 120 days of unemployment, counting from the beginning of the initial OPT period.

Reporting Requirements

Students on the 17-month extension have more reporting requirements than other OPT students.

• All changes in employment and all periods of unemployment
• Two additional reports
  • Validation of employment at 6 months after the start of the extension
  • Validation of employment at 12 months after the start of the extension

Homeland Security has indicated that OPT students who do not fulfill the validation report requirements may lose their F-1 status.

To report:

• After any change of name, address, starting employment or ending employment, submit an OPT Employment Report Form to the UT Dallas ISSO.
• During the following reporting periods, submit a STEM Validation Report Form to the UT Dallas ISSO
  • Six months after the extension start date. You may submit the report up to 15 days before the 6-month date and as late as 31 days after the 6-month date.
  • 12 months after the extension start date. You may submit the report up to 15 days before the 12-month date and as late as 31 days after the 12-month date.
• It is vital that you submit the correct forms at the correct times to meet the reporting requirements. Submit all reports to the UT Dallas ISSO via scan/email, fax, mail or in person. See contact information below.
• You will be sent an email when the report has been processed, within three business days.

Email:    ISSOCurrent@utdallas.edu
Fax:       972-883-4010
Mail:      ISSO, 800 W. Campbell Rd, SSB34, Richardson, TX 75080

NOTE: Changes of address reported on the OPT Employment Report Form affect only the SEVIS immigration system. To update your address in the school information system (Orion) do so through Galaxy (current students) or the Registrar’s Office (alumni).

For more information about the post-completion OPT extension, contact an international student advisor.