What types of employment are allowed for students during a 17- month
extension of OPT?
A student authorized for a 17-month extension must work at least 20 hours
per week for an E-Verify employer in a position directly related to his or
her DHS-approved STEM CIP.
For a student who is on a 17-month extension, this employment may include
Multiple employers. A student may work for more than one employer,
but all employment must be related to his or her degree program and all
employers must be enrolled in E-Verify.
Work for hire. This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment
, where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship
rather than an employment relationship. The company for whom the student is
providing services must be registered with E-Verify. If requested by DHS,
the student must be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the
contract period and the name and address of the contracting company.

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SEVP Policy Guidance 1004-03 Update to Optional Practical Training
Self-employed business owner. A student on a 17-month extension can
start a business and be self-employed. In this situation, the student must
register his or her business with E-Verify and work full time. The student
must be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is
actively engaged in a business related to his or her degree program.
Employment through an agency or consulting firm. A student on a 17-
month extension may be employed by an employment agency or consulting firm.
The employment agency or consulting firm must be registered with E-Verify,
but the third parties contracting with the agency or firm (for which the
student is providing services) need not be.