STEM OPT I-20 Request Form & Checklist

A few key items to keep in mind:

1) You may be eligible for STEM OPT only if your major field of study CIP code is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List.
 
2) STEM OPT Applications are processed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) branch under the Department of Homeland Security.

3) STEM OPT applications generally take 3 - 5 months to process by USCIS.

4) Review the entirety of this form prior to uploading documents. Several documents are required at time of submission.

5) RISD ISSA will review the I-765 for completion however it is your responsibility to submit your application in its entirety to USCIS.

Before you begin, you must log into your SEVP portal and make sure that all of your Post-Completion OPT employment information is accurate (employer name, dates of employment, job title, job descriptions, etc.). If any changes need to be made, you must FIRST submit these changes to ISSA through the OPT Update Form.
 
If you are locked out of your SEVP Portal, submit a SEVP Student Portal Reset Request to OISS.
I have checked my SEVP portal and *
Before you begin, be sure you have the following files ready to be uploaded:
 *
I understand that:
 
1. I cannot submit my STEM OPT applcation to USCIS more than 90 days before my post-completion OPT end date and USCIS must receive my STEM OPT application before my post-completion OPT end date or it will be rejected.
 
2. I must always be working with an E-Verify employer during STEM OPT and my employment must be paid.
 
3. I must always be working full-time (over 20 hours per week) with each employer during STEM OPT.
 
4. My employment must always be directly related to my major field of study at RISD or the degree on which my STEM OPT will be based.
 
5. I cannot be self-employed or freelance during STEM OPT under any circumstance.
 
6. It is my responsibility to report changes in my STEM OPT employment within 10 days and I am aware of and understand my STEM OPT reporting requirements (6-month validations, annual self-evaluations, etc.).
 
7. I will have up to a total of 150 days of unemployment during my STEM OPT period (60 days for STEM OPT, including any of the 90 umemployment days not used during Post-completion OPT) during my STEM OPT period and it is my responsibility to keep track of them.
 
I have read, understand, and agree to the following statements above. If I do not understand, I will contact RISD ISSA for clarification. *
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