Unfortunately, as an F-2 dependent you may not engage in employment or business under any circumstances. Failure to observe this requirement will place you out of status.
Employers may be cited, fined, and/or imprisoned for hiring persons ineligible for employment or maintaining employees who are no longer authorized to be employed.
F-1 students who receive STEM degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their Post-Completion OPT.
STEP 1) Review the 24 Month STEM OPT Extension Workshop Video and Step by Step Guidelines to Apply Online.
STEP 2) Visit the List of STEM-Eligible CIP codes to verify if you are eligible for a STEM Extension. Your CIP code is listed next to your major on your valid NSU I-20.
You can also go to the Eligibility Tab for additional information.
STEP 3) Complete the NSU STEM Extension OPT Application Packet and begin the I-765 to submit your draft. Instructions on how to complete the I-765 application online can be found at internationalaffairs/step-by-step.pptx
STEP 4) Your STEM OPT application should include completed I-983 form . We also provide you with instructions on how to complete the I-983 form.
STEP 5) After completing the NSU OPT packet and I-765 draft, submit these documents by email to intl@nova.edu. Your application will be reviewed and the I-20 recommending OPT will be processed.
The processing time required to produce your new I-20 will be within 7 to 10 business days.
STEP 6) Once you have received your updated I-20 recommending STEM OPT, you can now upload the document and submit your application online.
USCIS offers F-1 students the option of requesting premium processing when filing their STEM Extension OPT application.
The premium processing fee is $1,500 and the decision processing timeframe on a complete application is 30 calendar days (count starts when you properly file the Form I-907 and pay the premium processing fee).
The Premium Processing fee is in addition to the cost of the I-765 application. Please see the USCIS webpage I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for additional details, instructions and filing fee costs.
Premium processing requires you to file a I-907 application form (online) along with the I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
This option is new and you can read the full March 6, 2023 news announcement at: USCIS Announces Premium Processing; New Online-Filing Procedures for Certain F-1 Students Seeking OPT or STEM OPT Extensions.
Filing for premium processing is optional. Prior to paying the premium processing fee, the Office of International Affairs recommends that you consider the following:
To check processing times for any type of OPT application go to USCIS I-765 processing times and select:
After your receive your EAD, please be sure to keep the following:
The following table suggests the best way to report the required information:
Situation | Reportable Information |
Change to a new job |
|
Unemployment |
|
You decide to exit the U.S. and complete your F-1 status prior to the end date of OPT |
|
Change of legal name |
|
Change of residential or mailing address |
|
Change of email address |
|
You will also need to re-submit parts of your I-983 after 12 months and after 24 months. This will include evaluations from your employer about your training progress and improvements.
You may not accrue more than 150 days of unemployment, which includes any unemployment days accrued while on Standard OPT — exceeding this time limit will cause you to lose your status. The following counts towards unemployment:
Depart the U.S. within 60 days of completing your STEM OPT if your Form I-20 is not extended or transferred to another SEVIS approved school.