THE OPT 17 MONTH EXTENSION FAQ

Is my major eligible for the extension?

The OPT 17-month extension is only available to students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) majors listed below:

Actuarial Science. CIP Code 52.1304.
Computer Science. CIP Code 11.xxx
Engineering. CIP Codes 14.xxxx.
Engineering Technologies. CIP Codes 15.xxxx.
Biological and Biomedical Sciences. CIP Codes 26.xxxx.
Mathematics and Statistics. CIP Codes 27.xxxx.
Military Technologies. CIP Codes 29.xxxx.
Physical Sciences. CIP Codes 40.xxxx.
Science Technologies. CIP Codes 41.xxxx.
Medical Scientist (MS, PhD). CIP Code 51.1401

Currently, the majors available fromTAMU-C that are eligible are as follows:
Applied Physcis (Code 40.xxx)
Biology (Code 26.xxx)
Biological Sciences (Code 26.xxx)
Chemistry (Code 40.xxx)
Physics (Code 40.xxx)
Computer Information Systems (Code 11.xxx)
Computer Science (Code 11.xxx)
Industrial Engineering (Code 14.xxx)
Industrial Technology (Code 15.xxx)
Mathematics (Code 29.xxx)
Technology Management (Code 11.xxx)

Please go the following link to verify the Codes and Majors.
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/

What if I have taken some courses in the academic field's listed, am I eligible?

No. USCIS will base a student's eligibility for the extension on the major listed on the I-20 and the major listed on the diploma. USCIS will not take into account the courses you took or the focus of your major.

Am I eligible for the 17-month extension at each academic level (bachelors, masters, doctorate)?

No. The student is eligible for the 17-month extension only once, regardless of degree level. The student may not divide the 17-month extension into two or more periods.

What are the requirements of my employer?

Your employer must be registered with the E-Verify employment verification system. You will need to contact your employer to find out about this requirement. Please go to the following link for more information on E-Verify:
http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm
Your employer must also agree to contact the ISSO to report any termination of employment or departure of the student.

What if I change employers during the 17-month extension?

A student may change employers during the 17-month extension, but the employer will need to be registered with E-Verify. All employers during the 17-month OPT extension must be registered with E-Verify. Changing employers is strongly discouraged while your 17-month OPT extension application is pending. Also, you must report any change of address or employer (include employer's address) to the ISSO within ten days of the change.

Can I be employed by more than one company during the 17-month extension?

Yes. However, all employers during the 17-month OPT extension work authorization period must be registered with E-Verify. You employment has to be directly related to your academic field of study on the OPT I-20. If you have more than one employer you will need to report the new employer's name and address to the ISSO within ten days of the change.

What if I have been or become unemployed during my initial 12-month OPT authorization period or 17-month OPT extension authorization period?

Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 120 days for the combined 12-month OPT and 17-month OPT Extension work authorization period on the EAD. USCIS has advised that any student that is unemployed after April 8, 2008 for an aggregate of more than 120 days for the combined 12-month OPT and 17-month OPT Extension work authorization period on the EAD may be denied future immigration benefits that rely on the student’s valid F-1 status if USCIS determines that the student exceeded the limitations on unemployment. This rule only applies to the work authorization period on the EAD and does not include and grace periods. Employment during the 17-month OPT Extension must be a minimum of 20 hours a week and must be paid employment.

What are my reporting requirements during my OPT period?

F-1 students on 17-month OPT are required by USCIS to report any employment, change of employment, or change of address to the ISSO within 10 days of occurrence. Once you are employed, you change employers, or move to a new address you will need to report this information to us immediately.

To report your employment to us, please click here and complete the OPT Employment Reporting Form. To report a change of address only with no employment update, please click here and complete the Request Form for International Student Services. Please remember that all employers during the 17-month OPT Extension must be registered with E-Verify.

You are not required to provide any further documentation regarding your employment (such as a letter or pay stub) to the ISSO other than reporting the information as described above. However, we strongly recommend that students keep documentation of their employment for their own records. This may include a letter from all employers stating dates of employment and nature of employment. Please be aware of the 120-day unemployment rule for 17-month OPT mentioned above.


Can I travel outside the U.S. during my OPT?

It is not recommended that students travel while they are awaiting adjudication for the 17-month OPT extension.Re-entry into the U.S. is at the discretion of the Port of Entry officer If it is necessary to travel anytime during OPT the student will need the following documents:

• Valid passport and visa
• I-94
• I-20 with travel validation signature (3rd page) within last six months
• EAD Card
• I-797A Receipt Notice for I-765 Work Authorization (If extension has not been adjudicated)
• Letter from employer stating student is employed, dates employed, and that student will return to U.S. to continue employment.

What if I travel outside of the U.S. and I do not have a job?

If a student's OPT has been approved but they are not employed and they leave the U.S., USCIS regulations state that the OPT ends and the student may not reenter the U.S.

What if I apply for the extension but do not hear back from USCIS before my current OPT period ends? Can I still work?

The student must apply for the 17-month OPT extension BEFORE their current OPT end date on the EAD. If the student applies to USCIS for the OPT extension in a timely manner, the student's OPT authorization period will be extended until the application has been adjudicated by USCIS. If the extension application is approved, the start date for the 17-month OPT extension will be the day after the end date for the 12-month OPT authorization period on the EAD. If the extension application is denied, the student's OPT will end immediately upon expiration of the EAD work authorization period and the student will have a grace period of 60 days to remain in the U.S. to apply for a new academic program, apply for a change of status, or depart the U.S. Understand that you must apply for and be accepted into a new academic program, and have your SEVIS record transferred (if applicable) within the 60 day period. If you are applying for a change of status, USCIS must receive your application within the 60 day period.

What about the H1-B Cap Gap Extension?

Duration of F-1 status and work authorization will be extended for a student on OPT, whose employer has filed an H1-B petition before the OPT end date on the EAD, until adjudication by USCIS. The extension of duration of status of F-1 visa status and work authorization will automatically terminate upon the rejection, denial, or revocation of the H1-B petition. This new rule granting "cap-gap" extensions to F-1 students whose H1-B petition was filed in a timely manner and was requested for a change of status. Please contact your company to verify this information.

What if an H1-B petition is filed on my behalf during my OPT work authorization period ?

If you have an H1 - B petition filed on your behalf during OPT you will have to provide this information to the ISSO. If you have recieved a receipt notice for your H1-B petition you will need to email or fax a copy of the receipt notice to the ISSO. Once we have recieved your documents we will contact you to advise you on any further action. Be sure to provide your full name, CWID, current employer, employer who filed H1-B(if different), employer's address, your current address, OPT work authorization period on EAD card, and whether you have applied for OPT extension. Email to intl_stu@tamu-commerce.edu or fax to 903-468-3200.

What if my H1-B is denied and I am beyond my OPT work authorization period?

If USCIS rejects, denies, or revokes the H1-B petition you will have a grace period of 60 days to remain in the U.S. to apply for a new academic program, apply for a change of status, or to depart the U.S. Understand that you must apply for and be accepted into a new academic program, and have your SEVIS record transferred (if applicable) within the 60 day period. If you are applying for a change of status, USCIS must receive your application within the 60 day period.

When can I apply for the extension?

You must be in the United States in order to apply for the 17-month OPT Extension. USCIS must receive your 17-month extension application before the end date of your current 12-month OPT work authorization period on the EAD. It is recommended that you apply for the 17-month extension 90 days before the end date of your initial 12-month OPT work authorization period.

How do I apply for the OPT 17-month extension?

OPT 17-Month Extension.