• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main content
Choose which site to search.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Logo University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Graduate School
  • UAMS Health
  • Jobs
  • Giving
  • Alumni
    • Update News
  • Current Students
    • Career & Educational Opportunities
    • Compliance Information for Current Students
    • Course Approval Form for Non-degree Seeking Students
    • Degree Requirements – Doctor of Philosophy Ph.D.
    • Degree Requirements – Master of Science
    • Dissertation and Thesis Preparation
      • Dissertation & Thesis Defense Dates
      • Dissertation and Thesis Preparation and Submission Guidelines
    • F-1 Student Information
      • Admission and Transferring to UAMS from another F-1 Institution
      • Change of Address Form for F-1 Students
      • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 Students
        • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request for F-1 Student
      • F-1 Employment Information
        • Employment After Graduation
          • 24-Month STEM OPT For F-1 Students
            • 24-Month Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM Extension Information
          • Optional Practical Training After Graduation
            • Employer Information and Resources for STEM
            • Optional Practical Training (OPT) Factsheet
            • Optional Practical Training Current Employer Information Form
        • F-1 Student Employment While Studying at UAMS
      • F-2 Dependent Information
        • Change of Status – F1 Student to F2 Dependent
          • I-20 Update Request
      • Information for New F-1 Students
        • New F-1 Student Information
        • New F-1 Student Information for I-20 Processing
        • Requesting Express Mail
        • Required Registration While You Study
      • International Student Information Form
      • International Travel and COVID Procedures When Returning to UAMS Campus
      • Invitation Letter Request for Relatives
      • Travel Information Form for F-1 Students
    • Fellowships, Grants, & Travel Awards for Graduate Students
    • General Information and UAMS Resources
      • Academic Catalog
      • Change of Name or Address
      • Graduate School Calendar
      • Graduate School Forms
      • Graduate School Handbook
      • Student Resident Status Reclassification
      • Transcript Requests
      • Tuition and Fees
    • Graduate Student Association
      • Anonymous Comment Form
      • Constitution of the Graduate Student Association
      • Contact Graduate Students Association
    • Graduate Student Teachers of Central Arkansas
      • Graduate Student Teachers of Central Arkansas Past Seminars
    • Graduating Students
      • Commencement Program information
      • Graduate School Campus Clearance Requirements
      • Graduation Form
    • Interprofessional Education (IPE) Requirement for UAMS Graduate School Students
    • News and Upcoming Events
      • Student Awards and Publications
    • Outstanding Teacher Nominations
    • Registration and Term Information
      • Summer 2025 Class Schedule
    • UAMS 3 Minute Thesis Competition
  • New Students
    • Message from the Dean
    • New Student Important Dates
    • New Student Information
    • New Student Resources
    • Student Parking
  • Prospective Students
    • Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
    • Application – Domestic
    • Application – International
    • General Information
    • Non-Degree Seeking Students
    • Programs
      • Biomedical Informatics
      • Clinical and Translational Sciences Track
        • Clinical and Translational Sciences Admission and Track Requirements
        • Clinical and Translational Sciences Curriculum
        • Clinical and Translational Sciences Faculty
        • Graduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Sciences
      • Clinical Nutrition
      • Communication Sciences & Disorders (Ph.D.)
      • Graduate Certificate in Implementation Science
      • Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Sciences
      • Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences
        • Admissions Information
        • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Track
          • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Track Faculty
        • Cancer Biology Track
          • Cancer Biology Track Faculty
        • Cell Biology and Physiology Track
          • Cell Biology and Physiology Track Faculty
        • GPIBS Ph.D. Core Curriculum
        • Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Forms
        • Microbiology and Immunology Track
          • Microbiology and Immunology Track Faculty
        • MS Curriculum
        • Neuroscience Track
          • Neuroscience Track Faculty
        • Pathobiology Track
          • Pathobiology Track Faculty
        • Pharmacology, Toxicology and Experimental Therapeutics Track
          • Pharmacology, Toxicology and Experimental Therapeutics Track Faculty
      • Master of Science/Ph.D. in Bioinformatics
      • Ph.D. in Epidemiology
      • Ph.D. in Health Promotion and Prevention Research
      • Ph.D. in Health Systems and Services Research
      • Ph.D. in Nursing
      • Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • Request More Information
    • UAMS Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)
      • IMSD mentoring Program
    • UAMS Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)
      • Summer Undergraduate Research Program Application
      • SURP Letter of Recommendation Form
      • SURP Student Information Form
      • SURP to Increase Diversity in Research
        • SURP Application Form
    • Undergraduate Summer Research Opportunities at UAMS
  • Faculty
    • Faculty Resources
    • Graduate Council
      • Bylaws of the Graduate School
      • Graduate Council Policy Manual
      • Graduate School Organization Statement
    • UAMS Graduate School Recruitment
  • Financial
    • Tuition & Fees Payment Instructions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us
  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. Graduate School
  3. Current Students
  4. F-1 Student Information
  5. F-1 Employment Information
  6. Employment After Graduation
  7. 24-Month STEM OPT For F-1 Students
  8. 24-Month Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM Extension Information

24-Month Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM Extension Information

F-1 students approved for Post-Completion OPT based on a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field that appears on the DHS STEM-Designated Degree Program List can apply for a one-time 24 month extension of post-completion OPT twice during their time of studies in the U.S. if they change educational level.
To be eligible for this, the student and student’s employer must meet the following qualifications:

  1. The student must have completed a degree in a DHS STEM Designated field of study.
  2. Employer must be registered in E-Verify and complete and return the Form I-983 to the international student adviser.
  3. The student must report any changes of employment during this time period to your international student adviser. (This can be done through the OPT Current Employer Information Form)
  4. The student must apply for the STEM OPT extension before their current OPT expires.
  5. The student must agree to make periodic reports to the DSO.
    Process for submitting an OPT STEM Application. Before beginning this process, you MUST have a Form I-983 filled out by your employer and approved by the international student adviser at UAMS. Instructions on filling out the Form I-983 can be found here.
    Part One
  6. Create an account at https://myaccount.uscis.gov/ to be able to log-in and complete the I-765 form online.
    a. You will need to use the following code when filling out selecting which type of application you are completing: (c) (3) (C) – OPT STEM extension
    b. You will need to include your degree title, your Employer’s Name as listed in E-Verify, and the Employer’s E-Verify Company Identification Number (please request this specific information from your employer. The Graduate School does not have access to this information. If you are unsure who to contact, begin with the Human Resources office at your company – also this should be listed on your I-983 form).
    c. Make sure you use an email address (personal email address is preferred) to be able to receive updates about your application throughout the process and the receipt once you have submitted it.
  7. Obtain and scan a copy of your degree (ex. Official transcripts stating your degree, copy of your diploma are acceptable). This will be uploaded to the online I-765 application.
  8. Scan or create a passport-size photo to upload to the online I-765 application (note: there are specifications in the online application regarding the size, etc. Also, you might be able to get this in a digital format from Walgreens).
  9. Scan a copy of your passport biographical page, visa page, and most recent I-94. These will be uploaded to the online I-765 application.
  10. When steps 1-9 above are complete, your DSO will send you a signed Form I-20 that will need to be uploaded to the online I-765. This will be provided when your meeting is scheduled.
  11. On the day of the meeting, make sure you have a credit card or debit card on hand to pay the $410 application fee online. This is required in order to submit your application.
    Part Two
  12. If you change employers while your STEM OPT is processing, please make sure to let your International Student Advisor know as soon as possible to avoid any issues with your application.
  13. Once you receive your STEM OPT EAD Card, please send a copy, front and back, to your International Student Advisor.
  14. Please reach out to your International Student Advisor with any questions you might have!
UAMS Graduate School LogoUAMS Graduate SchoolUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

© 2025 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences