12month OPT to 24month STEM OPT extension.

This is for all the international student on OPT in the USA who are looking forward to the STEM extension. Well, most of the international students have a thought to earn in dollars as long as possible. And it's bit obvious as the United States of America stands on the top in terms of economy, high-class lifestyle, well organized Administration, anti-corruption and fulfill all other basic requirements which are essential for living a peaceful and better standard life on earth.

So, here it is all you required to know about OPT STEM extension to extend your 12 months OPT to 24 months in the USA.

Define STEM

STEM: stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths.

STEAM: stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths.

Define STEM Extension

As its mentioned above STEM OPT extension is an extended time duration which allows only STEM degree holders to extend their journey for 24 months. But still, it requires lots of government official requirements as mentioned in this article.

Sometimes it seems that the USA government is taking your patience test by holding more than the required time, but the only way to extend your STEM OPT extension is through USICS or ISS.

So, Please be aware of any false or unauthentic organization as they can easily put you in any illegal trouble which can risk your career and future in the United states of America.

STEM or STEAM careers options

And again, always try to play under your field of interest, because interest leads to passion and passion leads to strong determination and strong determination leads to SUCCESS which leads to the happiness and satisfaction which is the most required thing in the universe.

TECHNOLOGY

Here are few top-15 tech-oriented career option which comes under STEM degree and stands on top as demanded career options in 2019-2020.

Petroleum Engineering

Atomic or Molecular Physics

Management Science

Information Technology

Water Resources Engineering

Computer Engineering

Information Science/Studies

Biology/Biological Sciences

Chemical Engineering

Microbiological Sciences and Immunology

Network and System Administration

Mathematics

Computer Science

Paleontology

Computer Software Engineering

BIO-TECHNOLOGY

Here is few top-15 Bio-tech-oriented career option which comes under STEM degree and stands on top as demanded career options in 2019-2020.

bioacoustics researcher

geneticist

biofuels processing technician

geographer

biomedical engineer

hydrologist

biologist

geologist

choreographer

herpetologist

crime scene investigator

exercise physiologist

forensic biochemist

crystallographer

dietitian

Eligibility

As mentioned above, to avoid any kind of misdirection and unauthentic work format one should strictly follow and stick to the below mention rules for STEM OPT extension.

To gain 24 months STEM OPT extension, the applicant must fulfill the following requirements:

Applicant must have F-1 status

Applicant must be employed in the duration of post-completion OPT

Applicant must be a holder of any Bachler’s degree, master’s degree or Doctoral degree valid STEM or STEAM career

Applicant must have a proper employment(paid), which allows you to work at least 20 hours per weak and must be related to your academic studies or must be providing training & learning on the basis of your educational qualification

Applicant must be employed by an employer enrolled in the USCIS E-Verify program

Right time to Apply

Many international students seem to be confused about this important and crucial thing, during their time on OPT in the USA. So, read the following article and be sure for your correct time to approach. Too early to know is better than too late.

The right time to approach USCIS can be any of the following :

Applicant must send their STEM OPT extension application before the expiry date of their OPT EAD card

Applicant should start their application process for STEM OPT extension before the end of 90 days of their current 12-month OPT EAD card expire

Procedure to Apply

Always follow the instruction given by the government for successful registration of your STEM OPT extension application. Don’t try any short cut in government official works especially when it's about your career and future. There can be a chance of rejecting applicants STEM OPT extension application for not following proper procedure.

To avoid any kind of mistake, go through the following steps thoroughly :

Step 1:

Applicant must be sure about their information of 12 months OPT period.

The applicant has to keep their records updated, like personal information as marital status, current address, Employment or employer information, and many others can be seen on the official site of SEVP Portal.

Step 2:

Applicant has to fill I-20 request for STEM OPT extension and has to submit it after completely putting all updated information to ISS.

The applicant has to wait for at least 15 working day to get their new updated I-20 along with STEM OPT extension.

Step 3:

Applicant has to visit these helpful sites to know about the required documents, related to their STEM OPT extension.

To get all mailing instructions of USICS.

To obtain I-94 form  https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov

To obtain information about USCIS photo instructions

To know about Form I-765 filing fee,  Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.

To get emails from USCIS G-1145 Form 

Step 4:

If Applicant faces any problem or not able to deal with their employer in terms and condition through STEM OPT extension rules and regulation then they are free to register their complaint to  Homeland Security Investigations tip submission form.

And follow the procedure mentioned on the official site of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through ICE.gov.