USCIS Offers Accommodations to Certain OPT and STEM OPT Applications

On February 28th, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they will be offering some accommodations to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT Extension applicants affected by processing delays in issuing application receipt notices. The following will be applied to OPT and STEM OPT applications received between October 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021:

• 14-month OPT period: Students will be allowed to complete their post-completion 12-month OPT period within 14 months of their OPT EAD approval date. Under the standard rule, they are required to complete OPT within 14 months of their I-20 program end date. If you receive an OPT EAD for less than 12 months, please notify ISSS immediately. You will be able to request a correction from USCIS.
• Refiling your OPT application after rejection: Students whose timely filed OPT and STEM OPT applications were rejected after the timeframe to timely submit will be allowed to refile their applications. These applications must be received by May 31, 2021, to be treated as filed on the original date.
• Request for Evidence (RFE) for missing or deficient signature: USCIS will issue a request for evidence (RFE) instead of denying OPT/STEM OPT applications that contain missing or deficient signatures if they were received by USCIS during the relevant timeframe. However, please note that the USCIS policy permitting rejection of applications with missing or deficient signature remains in place so applications should be checked for sufficient signatures prior to filing.

For more detailed information, please see Fragomen Immigration Alerts. If your OPT or STEM OPT is rejected, please immediately contact ISSS at isss@drexel.edu.