OPT EXTENSION Frequent Asked Questions

1. Who can apply for the 17-month OPT extension?

   You must have received a degree (bachelor’s or master’s degree) in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) designated degree. At VIU, you are eligible for the extension if you have received a degree of MIS or BCS. You also have to hold an unexpired OPT.

2. Do I have to have to currently be employed to apply for the extension?

   Yes, you need to be employed or have a confirmed job offer by a company which should be E-Verified.

3. What is E-Verification?

   E-Verification is a database system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration. It allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly-hired employees. E-Verify is currently voluntary in most states. For more information visit www.dhs.gov/e-verify.

4. What if my current OPT expires and the extension approval has not arrived?

   You can continue working for up to 180 days beyond the expiration of the prior post-completion OPT while the extension application is pending.

5. What are my obligations during the 17 month extension?
   1. Submit a copy of your new EAD card to VIU (front and back)
   2. You must report any changes in the following to the DSO office at VIU:
      • Your employment
      • Employer’s address
      • Home address, email,
      • Legal name and visa status
6. May I extend again if my first 17 months extension expires?

   No. The extension is allowed only once. This means you can extend only once in your lifetime. You will not be eligible after the second OPT, even with a different degree.

7. How should I report such changes?

   You need to report by writing, either by email, post mail or fax.

   USCIS requires that you must send a validation report to their DSO every six months starting from the date the STEM extension OPT starts and ending when the student’s F-1 status ends or the STEM extension OPT ends, whichever is first. The validation report must include the student’s: •

   • Full legal name
   • SEVIS identification number (SEVIS N000 # of your I-20)
   • Current mailing and /or residential address
   • Name and address of the current employer (supervisor’s name)
   • Employment start date for the current employer
   • Your job title and one line explanation of your job duties

8. What should I do if I lose my employment or the job is terminated?

   You are allowed to have up to 90 days of unemployment under the first 12 months of OPT. If you have received a 17-month STEM OPT extension, you will be given an additional 30 days of unemployment for a total of 120 days over the entire post-completion OPT period.

9. May I work as part-time during the OPT 17-month extension?

   You must work at least 20 hours per week for an E-Verify-enrolled employer in a position directly related to your STEM degree.

10. I have a second job offer or volunteer job offer. May I work for more than one employer?

    You may work multiple jobs related to your STEM degree, but all the employers must be enrolled in E-Verification. You are also allowed to volunteer, but the volunteer work only does not count as employment for the purpose of maintaining F-1 status.

For more details, please visit USCIS website:

Step #1: Initiating an Extension Request

1. Complete and submit the OPT Extension Request Form to VIU’s International Student Services Office (ISS) with a photocopy of your current EAD card. (Fax 703-591-7049 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
2. Submit Employment Verification letter (Job offer letter with a new ending date) from your current employer.
3. Request for a copy of diploma and official transcript pay ($10) or express service ($15) (order from Registrar’s office, ext 343).
4. Pay $25 dollars postage fee in case the OPT extension card is received at VIU. You can contact the accounting department to process the payment.

Step #2: Application processing

1. Prepare and mail all the documents below

• A copy of new I-20 for recommendation for extension (VIU/ ISS will issue and send it to you by FedEx after Step #1-1)
• Original Form I-765 (item #16: (c)(3)(C); Item #17: Degree, Employer Name, E-Verification Number)
• Copy of your valid passport (facial, biographical data, entry stamps, and visa pages)
• Copy of Form I-94 Departure Record (front and back).
• Copy of your current EADs (front and back)
• $380 application fee made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
• Two color photos (taken within 30 days of the filing of the application, Write Name, I-94 and SEVIS #).
• Copy of you diploma and most current academic transcript

Step #3: Make a copy and Send the document to USCIS

1. Make a copy of every document so that you you prepared above for you records. (ISS will only keep a copy of the new I-20 and the extended EAD card upon received)
2. Once you receive your new I-20 endorsed by ISS for an extension, mail the application package to the USCIS. It must be received by the USCIS before your current EAD expires.Please check which USCIS Service Center is assigned to the state where you live.

Step #4: Receiving your New EAD

If you choose to have your card mail to VIU, we will send you your new EAD card by FedEx express as soon as we receive your card from USCIS. You can continue to work up to 180 days EVEN after the current OPT expires.