Students in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) majors may seek additional temporary employment authorization through the 24-month OPT STEM Extension. Students in certain STEM eligible degrees are eligible to apply for the OPT STEM Extension and eligibility is based on the academic major’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. The ISSS has no role in determining which CIP code corresponds to each major or which majors are eligible for the OPT STEM Extension. Additional information about eligible majors and CIP Codes may be found in the next section.

In addition students must meet the following general eligibility requirements:

• Must currently be on approved 12-month OPT and in legal F-1 visa status
• May not have accrued more than an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment during their initial 12-month OPT period
• Must be employed in a position directly related to their STEM eligible major
• All employers during the OPT STEM Extension period must be registered with E-verify
• Employment position must be in a paid position for the OPT STEM Extension

ISSS OPT STEM Extension FAQ Handout

Eligibility for the OPT STEM Extension is based on an academic major’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. Below is a list of the SEVP eligible majors with CIP codes and a list of A&M-Commerce's majors and CIP codes.  

PLEASE NOTE that the name of the academic major on a student's I-20 may be different from the name of the student's academic major at A&M-Commerce. For example, students in the graduate Technology Management major (CIP Code 15.0612) will have an I-20 with a major listed as Industrial Technology/Technician (CIP Code 15.0612).  This student's academic major is Technology Management.

The ISSS is required to match our university's CIP Codes with the CIP code in the SEVIS system. While the name of the majors may not match a student's academic major is the major is listed on the transcript.  These differences in the name of the major will not impact an F-1 or other visa related benefits.  Below are some common STEM eligible majors with their corresponding CIP code and you may review the A&M-Commerce List of CIP Codes for additional information:

• Biology/Biological Science 26.0101
• Business Analytics 52.1399
• Chemistry 40.0501
• Computational Science 30.3001
• Computer Information Systems (Undergraduate) 11.0401
• Computer Science 11.0101
• Math 27.0101
• Physics 40.0801
• Technology Management 15.0612
• Electrical Engineering 14.1001
• Industrial Engineering 14.3501
• Construction Engineering 14.3301
• Environmental Science 03.0104
• Animal Science 01.0901
• Wildlife and Conservation Science 03.0601

SEVP STEM Eligible List of CIP codes

A&M-Commerce’s List of CIP codes

Under certain circumstances, an F-1 student may use a prior STEM degree from a currently accredited SEVP-certified school to fulfill the eligibility requirements. 

Study in the States Previous Degree Guidance

Students who meet all eligibility requirements for the OPT STEM Extension may apply for the benefits up to 90 days before the EAD card end date for the student's current OPT authorization. All documents are submitted to https://dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/OIP-Student. Incomplete applications will not be processed so be sure to follow the ISSS instructions below:

Guidance to apply online with USCIS

The new regulations for the 24-month STEM OPT regulations increased the educational benefits that F-1 students receive from their practical training experiences by requiring the submission of a formal training plan. The formal training plan must clearly articulate the STEM OPT student’s learning objectives and affirm the employer’s commitment to helping the student achieve those objectives. To fulfill this requirement, a student and their employer must complete and sign Form I-983 and submit it to their international office. The Form I-983 is only submitted to SEVP or USCIS upon request. Students are required to submit the Form I-983 under the circumstances listed below. For more information go to Form I-983 Overview linked below. Students submit the Form I-983 to OPTExtension@tamuc.edu. Do not copy any alternate ISSS email:

• The student is applying for OPT STEM Extension benefit
• The student has changed employers during the OPT STEM Extension period
• Material changes or deviations to the terms and conditions of the original Form I-983 on record with the ISSS

OIP Form I-983

SEVP Form I-983 Overview

Students are required to report the following information during their OPT STEM Extension period. All information is submitted to the OPT Reporting Form linked below:

• Any change in their physical address where the student resides within 10 days of moving
• Any change in their employer during the OPT STEM Extension period

In addition, students are required to report their current physical address where they reside and the employer’s information every six months after the EAD card start date for the OPT STEM Extension. Students must also submit an Annual Self-Evaluation report to the ISSS no later than 12 months and no later than 24 months after the EAD card start date for the OPT STEM Extension.

Students are also required to submit a new Form I-983 in certain situations and you may review the Form I-983 Guidance page for  more information.

OPT STEM Extension Reporting Requirements

Students may review the information below regarding traveling outside the U.S. while their OPT application is pending and once their OPT has been approved. The ISSS does not recommend students with pending OPT STEM Extension applications travel outside the U.S. after the end date of their current OPT until approved and received the EAD card.  

The travel signature (on the second page of the I-20) is valid for six months from the date of the signature for re-entry to the U.S. To request a travel signature for your I-20 you will need to submit the Travel Signature Request Form and include all required documents listed on the form.

Travel Signature Request Form (OPT Students)

ISSS Travel Resources

OPT Travel Guidance Handout

Travel Information SEVP

All OPT STEM Extension students must submit an annual self-evaluation about the progress of the training experience. Students and their employers must sign the student's self-evaluation before the student submits it to the ISSS.

STUDY IN THE STATES EVALUATION GUIDANCE

12-MONTH SELF-EVALUATION

Final Self-Evaluation

The 12-month Self-Evaluation is due no later than 12 months after the EAD start date for their OPT STEM Extension. The Final Self-Evaluation is due no later than 24 months after the EAD start date for their OPT STEM Extension. All evaluations are to be submitted in the form listed below.  Do not email ISSS.

STEM Extension Reporting

The average USCIS Service Center processing time for the Form I-765 (OPT) is 2-3 months from the date of the I-765 Receipt Notice. Occasionally an application may take longer than 3 months for USCIS to process and students need now worry if their application is taking longer than normal or longer than their friends application. OPT processing times vary at any given time due to a number of factors including a higher volume of applications or USCIS staff turnover.
Students whose OPT application is pending more than 75 days from the receipt notice date may take the following steps:
• After 75 days from the receipt notice date you may call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to inquire about your application
• After 90 days from the receipt notice date you may email OPT@tamuc.edu to request that we send an email to the USCIS Service Center to inquire about the application
• Please see below for additional options if your application is pending beyond 90 days from the receipt notice date

USCIS e-Request for Applications Pending Between 90-120 Days

USCIS Onsbudsman Assistance for Applications Pending more than 120 days

USCIS Tip Sheet for I-765 Applications

USCIS Expedite Criteria

The Student Exchange Visitor Program regulations state a student may apply for the OPT STEM Extension if they have completed all course requirements excluding thesis or equivalent (comprehensive exam).  This would indicate a student may file for the 24-month OPT STEM Extension if they have completed all their coursework for their STEM eligible degree except completing their thesis or passing their comprehensive exam.  

Students apply for the OPT STEM Extension by submitting all documents as indicated on the OPT STEM Extension Application Checklist linked above.  The ISSS will contact the student's academic department and the Graduate School to verify the student's remaining requirements for graduation.  Once the ISSS has confirmed the student's eligibility we will issue the OPT STEM Extension I-20.  

LOSS OF ELIGIBILITY:  Please note that a student who has exceeded the maximum number of allowed attempts to pass the comprehensive exam or otherwise is not eligible to complete their degree in the STEM eligible degree from A&M-Commerce will not eligible for the OPT STEM Extension.