STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT)

FALL 2025 

10/22/2025  Wednesday  5:00pm-6:00pm   Zoom

Register for this STEM OPT Information Session in Campus Groups, Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS)

To be eligible for STEM OPT, you must:

• Be approved for Optional Practical Training (OPT) based on a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a STEM field that appears on the DHS STEM-Designated Degree Program List.  To see if your Bentley degree is STEM-designated, check your most current Form I-20 under "Major" in the Program of Study box to find the CIP code and then compare it to the DHS list. The Bentley major name may not necessarily be the same as noted on the DHS List, but the CIP code will be the indicator of STEM eligibility.

• You must have a job or a job offer from a qualifying employer. (See below "STEM OPT Employer Eligibility" section for details on employer requirements.)

  Self-employment is not allowed. All employment must be supervised, and the employer must maintain a "bona fide employer-employee" relationship with the student employee. This means that third-party or contracting arrangements may be problematic. See the USCIS website for complete information on employer requirements

To be eligible for STEM OPT, your employer must:

• Be an E-Verify employer. This can be the same employer as during your standard 12-month OPT or a different employer.  The employer must be registered and be in good standing with the E-Verify program.
• Agree to complete and monitor a STEM training plan (Form I-983) and sign periodic evaluations.
• Agree to report to the CISS within 48 hours when you are terminated or leave your employment.
• Have a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Hire you for at least 20 hours per week. 

Please note that the CISS cannot confirm the eligibility of a STEM employer. You should review the STEM employer requirements from USCIS with your employer to confirm eligibility. 

• You are eligible to submit your application for STEM OPT to USCIS as early as 90 days before your OPT end date
• Your STEM OPT application must be received by USCIS before your OPT end date.

If your STEM OPT application is filed on time (before your OPT end date), you can continue to work for up to 180 days beyond your standard OPT expiration date while your STEM OPT application is pending. You can confirm this here on the USCIS website.

For Form I-9 purposes, employers can use your STEM recommendation Form I-20, which is issued to you by CISS, as well as your expired EAD card as proof of your continued employment authorization. Reference to this is located in the I-9 Employer Handbook.

STEP 1: Read the information on this page carefully and attend a STEM OPT Information Session to understand the complete STEM OPT application process. 

STEP 2: Complete a Form I-983 Training Plan with your employer.  (Refer to this Form I-983 sample and the government Form I-983 instructions for guidance.) This document must be complete and signed by both you and your employer. 

STEP 3: Submit the STEM OPT Request in the CISS Portal to request a STEM OPT recommendation Form I-20. Log in to the CISS Portal and navigate to the "Control Center." Click on the "STEM OPT Request" icon. You will need to upload a copy of your completed Form I-983 Training Plan.  

STEP 4:  Obtain the STEM OPT Recommendation Form I-20 from CISS. You will receive an email from CISS within 5-7 business days notifying you that your Form I-20 STEM OPT recommendation is ready and can be accessed in the CISS Portal.   Print out the form and review the form to verify that the information is correct. Sign and date the Form I-20 at the bottom of page 1. Your requested STEM OPT dates will be listed on page 2 of the Form I-20. 

DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR OPT APPLICATION TO USCIS WITHOUT THE OPT RECOMMENDATION FORM I-20, AS IT WILL BE DENIED. YOU MUST BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN THE U.S TO APPLY FOR OPT. 

STEP 5:   Prepare your documents and file your STEM OPT application online with USCIS.  For additional guidance, please review our Tips for Filing your STEM OPT Application.
 

STEM OPT reporting requirements are more extensive than OPT reporting requirements. These requirements must be met by the student, the employer, and the CISS. 

1.) Mandatory 6-month Validation Reports (submitted every six months)
Beginning from the start date of your STEM OPT Extension, you are required to submit a "STEM OPT Validation Report" in the CISS Portal every 6 months. This form will be used to validate your status and submit your Self-Evaluation and your Final Evaluation while you are on STEM OPT. We recommend that you calculate the 6-month dates at the start of your OPT employment and set reminders in your calendar of when you need to submit the reports. 

• 6 Months- No Form I-983 Needed
• 12 Months/Self-Evaluation-Upload page 5 of Form I-983
• 18 Months- No Form I-983 Needed
• 24 Months/Final Evaluation- Upload page 5 of Form I-983

Please note that you may receive automatic emails from the SEVIS system about this reporting requirement. You cannot complete validation requirements yourself and must submit the above form to have a CISS advisor validate your record for you.  

2.) Material Changes 
If there are any material changes to the information on the Form I-983 training plan, you must submit an "OPT Employer Update" request in the CISS Portal.  Material changes include but are not limited to changes to your work site, supervisor, role at your company, or the company name. Please see the Department of Homeland Security's STEM OPT Hub to learn about "material changes" to the Form I-983 training plan.

3.) Changes in Information or Address
Report any changes in residential or mailing address, legal name, citizenship, or visa status to the CISS by sending an email to GA_CISS@bentley.edu within 10 days of the change. 

You can change employers during the STEM OPT extension if the new employer meets STEM requirements (see the above section on Employer Eligibility). 

If you change employers, you must submit "STEM OPT Validation Report" in the CISS Portal. 

• Upload a Final Evaluation (page 5 of the Form I-983 Training Plan) from your previous employer.
• Upload a completed new Form I-983 (pages 1-4 of the Form I-983) from your new employer.

Using both of these documents, the CISS will update your employer information in SEVIS, and issue you a new Form I-20. 

*Please note that if your STEM OPT application is still pending with USCIS, there are additional steps to update the service center processing your application. Please email the CISS at GA_CISS@bentley.edu for assistance.

Traveling during this time should be undertaken with some caution for the following reasons:

• USCIS may send you a request for further evidence (RFE) on your OPT application. while you are away.
• You would want to make sure you have provided an accurate and current U.S. address both to CISS and on your OPT application.
• If your OPT application is approved while you are out of the U.S., you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States.  USCIS can only send the EAD to a U.S. address.

If your STEM OPT is pending, you can travel outside of the U.S. and return.  You must carry the usual immigration documents with you, including:

• Passport valid 6+ months into the future
• Unexpired F-1 visa
• Most recent Form I-20 signed for travel in the past 6 months
• OPT EAD
• Proof of employment
• STEM OPT Receipt Notice

During your approved STEM OPT period, you can travel outside of the U.S. and return. You must carry the usual immigration documents with you, including:

• Passport valid 6+ months into the future
• Unexpired F-1 visa
• Most recent Form I-20 updated with STEM OPT Approval and signed for travel in the past 6 months*
• STEM OPT EAD
• Proof of employment

*Please note that Form I-20 travel signatures are only valid for 6 months during OPT.