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ISSS Classic: F/M Student Action > STEM OPT Extension

This article outlines the steps for a DSO to recommend a student for a STEM extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT). The downloaded successful batch action will include Form I-20 that recommends the student for the STEM OPT extension, and which will be submitted to the USCIS with the OPT application.

The STEM OPT request consists of the following key elements:

  • A SEVIS-processed OPT request (with a program end date within 90 days from the current date).
  • A STEM OPT request record in Terra Dotta. These question items are not populated for outbound delivery to SEVIS, but are populated on the postback from SEVIS following a successful download. This is because SEVIS determines the dates of STEM OPT authorization.
  • A pending OPT employment update form. This must be completed with employment information for the STEM OPT period. The employment start date cannot be before the STEM OPT employment start date.

 

Step 1: Record Creation 

Student-initiated

A STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT) request and pending OPT Employment Update record are both required for a STEM OPT extension. You may allow students to initiate both of these requests. 

Offices can create a button or link that can be placed on a Terra Dotta page, an external webpage, or even an email that a student can click to be redirected to Terra Dotta to create a STEM OPT extension record. 

Staff-initiated 

Admins may initiate an online STEM OPT request on the behalf of a student by going to Records > New Record, locating the student and clicking Add/Yes, selecting STEM OPT Extension request in the dropdown menu, and clicking Create. 

A pending OPT Employment Update record is also required for a STEM OPT extension. Go to Records > New Record, locating the student and clicking Add/Yes, select  OPT Employment Update in the dropdown menu, and click  Create. 

Depending on how your site is configured, Admins should review, edit, or complete the bold, required SEVIS-mapped Question Items in the user's record.

  1. Employer Name
  2. Address Line 1
  3. Address Line 2
  4. City
  5. State
  6. Zip Code
  7. Employer Identifier Number Note: SEVIS requires 9 digits.
  8. Self-employed Indicator
  9. Relevance of Employment to Course Work
  10. Full or Part-Time Employment with Employer
  11. Employer Start Date
  12. Employer End Date
  13. Supervisor First Name
  14. Supervisor Last Name
  15. Supervisor Phone Number
  16. Supervisor Phone Extension
  17. Supervisor Email
  18. Student Job Title
  19. New Employer Name
  20. New Employer Start Date
  21. New Employer End Date

When you have completed the necessary fields, click Submit. 


OPT Employer Screenshot.JPG

The STEM OPT request record requires no further action after it is created. The SEVIS-Processed OPT application will be included in the batch update for SEVIS to match the data. The OPT Employment update is the only component of this request that must be completed prior to batching the STEM OPT request.

 

 

Step 2: Create a New SEVIS Update Record 

  • Click the  SEVISProfileButton.png  button at the top of the user's record. This button will redirect you to the user's SEVIS Profile in the SEVIS Admin.
  • Click the New SEVIS Update Record button at the top of the user's SEVIS Profile. Under the Actions drop down menu, select OPT Employment: Extend.
  • A screen displays with the required records for the STEM OPT extension for you to either attach, or to simply confirm by clicking a radio button. 

    2018-07-26_1435_stem_opt_uris.png
  • When you click Add, Terra Dotta will automatically review and verify that the information needed for the OPT Employment: Extend SEVIS record update is present in the record you selected.
  • If all the information you need is present in the record, a VerifiedButton.png button will appear with the date.
  • If your update record fails to verify, a URFailedVerify.png button will appear, including the date you tried to verify that action.
  • After the OPT Employment: Extend action has been added and verified, select whether or not you would like to request an I-20 be returned with this SEVIS batch.
  • To request a form I-20, go to the Return Form drop down menu.
  • Select OPT Employment: Extend from the list (this action should be the only action to choose from on this list).
  • If you don't want an I-20 with this action, do not select an action under Return Form.
  • The SEVIS Admin allows Admins to add internal comments about a SEVIS record update that is saved and only viewable by other staff with P/DSO privileges. Adding internal comments is not a required step.
  • After you have entered internal comments, click Update to add this action to the Pending Updates display in the SEVIS Admin. Or, add no internal comments, and click Update.

OPT Comments and Update.png


See SEVIS Admin: Creating a SEVIS Update Record for detailed instructions about this step. 

You may also wish to see SEVIS Admin: Assigning a SEVIS Update to a Batch.