This article outlines the steps to extend a student's initial 12-month period of post-completion OPT (Optional Practical Training) when the student qualifies for a STEM OPT Extension.

The result of this batch action will be Form I-20 that displays the DSO recommendation for the STEM OPT extension. The updated Form I-20 must be submitted to the USCIS with the STEM OPT extension application. Terra Dotta currently allows DSOs to submit this SEVIS update in 3 different ways: Batch, Post to RTI, and RTI Connect.

• STEP 1: Collecting the Data in Terra Dotta
• STEP 2: Review and Complete SEVIS-Required Data
• STEP 3: Select which Terra Dotta functionality to use 
• STEP 4: Verification of Successful Processing 

STEP 1: Collecting the data in Terra Dotta

Student-Initiated

Offices may use a student link for the Terra Dotta page, an external webpage, or an email with a link that allow students to access the request in Terra Dotta.

Following this link, the student will initiate two records in Terra Dotta: a STEM OPT Extension record and a new OPT Employment Update record. The OPT Employment Update record is necessary since the Employer Start Date cannot be before the STEM OPT start date.

Staff-Initiated

For Batch and Post to RTI, admins may add a STEM OPT Extension and OPT Employment Update request for a student by going to the student's SEVIS Profile, navigating to the Records section, and clicking the 'New Record' button.

 

In the pop-up window, select STEM OPT Extension and the associated Application Cycle in the drop-down menu, then click Submit. You will need to repeat the steps above to add an OPT Employment Update record with an Employer Start Date on or after the STEM OPT start date.​

For RTI Connect, admins may add a STEM OPT Extension record by navigating to the student's SEVIS Profile and selecting RTI Connect.

STEP 2: Review and Complete SEVIS-Required Data

Data can be collected in two ways:

Student-Initiated

Allow students to complete their STEM OPT Information and OPT Employer questionnaires.

Staff-Initiated

Edit the SEVIS-Mapped questionnaire to remove it from student view, allowing only Admins to complete the question items. To complete this process:

• Process > Questionnaires > STEM OPT Information and OPT Employer > Click the edit pencil > Select 'Yes' for 'Is this an internal-use questionnaire?' > Update

Depending on the way your site was designed to collect SEVIS-Required Data, Admins will review, edit or complete the required SEVIS-Mapped Question Items in the record. (*) indicates required information for SEVIS.

STEM OPT Information Questionnaire

• STEM OPT Start Date (*): The date the OPT STEM request will begin.
• STEM OPT End Date (*): The date the OPT STEM request will end.
• 6-month report send to SEVIS: Do not use at this time for this action.
• 12-month report send to SEVIS: Do not use at this time for this action.
• 18-month report send to SEVIS: Do not use at this time for this action.

OPT Employer Questionnaire

• Employer Name (*): Enter the name of the Employer.
• Employer Identifier (*): Enter Employer Identification Number. This does not refer to the E-Verify Number, but to the Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Address Line 1 (*): Enter Address Line 1 of the Employer. 
• Address Line 2: Enter Address Line 2 of the Employer. 
• City: Enter the city of the Employer. 
• State: Select the state of the Employer from the dropdown menu.
• Zip Code (*): Enter the zip code of the Employer.
• Postal Routing Code: Enter the postal routing code of the Employer.
• Student Job Title: Enter Student Job Title
• Relevance of Employment to Course Work (*): Enter text explanation of how employment is relevant to course work.
• Employer Start Date (*): Must be on or after the STEM OPT start date
• Employer End Date: End date of employment, if known.
• Full or Part-Time Employment with Employer (*): Indicate Full or Part-time employment with Employer. 
• Self-employed Indicator: Select Yes or No
• Supervisor First Name (*): Enter Supervisor First Name
• Supervisor Last Name (*):  Enter Supervisor Last Name
• Supervisor Phone Number (*): Enter Supervisor Phone Number
• Supervisor Phone Extension: Enter Supervisor Phone Extension Number
• Supervisor Email (*): Enter Supervisor Email address 
• New Employer Name: Do not use at this time for this action.
• New Employer Start Date: Do not use at this time for this action.
• New Employer End Date: Do not use at this time for this action.

STEP 3: Select which Terra Dotta functionality to use 

Batch

• When all fields are complete, you will create a SEVIS Update Record. For instructions on how to do this, see the SEVIS Admin: Creating a SEVIS Update Record Knowledgebase article.
• After selecting the action, a window will pop up. You will be prompted to select the records needed for this update. 
  • You must attach three records to the update: OPT Employment Update, STEM OPT Extension, and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Click the radio button next to each of the three records, then click Add. 

• ​When you click Add, Terra Dotta will automatically review and verify that the information needed is present in the records you selected.  
• For next steps, see SEVIS Admin: Assigning a SEVIS Update to a Batch.

Post to RTI

Processing SEVIS Action

• When all fields are complete, navigate to the student's SEVIS Profile.
• Scroll down to the Records section. 
• Select the Copy Data to RTI icon for the STEM OPT Extension (F-M) record.
• Note: There should also be a Pending OPT Employment Update record in this section. If you are missing this record, return to the Review and Complete SEVIS-Required Data section above in Step 2.

​

• A data review page will load in a new tab.
• Review the data and confirm accuracy.
• If any data is incorrect on this page, return to the questionnaire(s) to edit the data OR you can continue to post it to RTI and edit the information in RTI Connect. If you edit the information in RTI Connect, Terra Dotta will capture and save your edits.
• Once the information has been reviewed, click Copy Data to Clipboard. You will be redirected to the embedded SEVIS RTI browser. If you have not already logged in, you will be prompted to do so. Otherwise, you will be directed to the student's SEVIS record. 
• Once in the student's profile in the embedded browser, select the action you want to take.
• No data will display until you click the Post Data to RTI button.
• The data will auto-populate.
• After the information is posted into the SEVIS request page, you can make any other necessary edits. When you save, the information will be saved and updated in Terra Dotta as well. When the update has been successful, you can print the new I-20.

RTI Connect

Complete SEVIS-Required Data

• You can access a student's SEVIS record in two ways:

1. SEVIS Admin > RTI > Launch RTI Connect > Search for student by SEVIS ID
2. SEVIS Admin > Search for Student > Select RTI Connect button on left toolbar

• Admins will review the required SEVIS-Mapped Question Items and update in RTI Connect.

STEP 4: Verification of Successful Processing 

• You can verify the update was processed successfully by reviewing the record status in any of the following locations: