STEM Extension OPT

Recipients of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields may be eligible for a one-time 24-month extension of post-completion OPT for a total eligibility of up to 29 months. The 24-month Stem Extension OPT is adjudicated (approved) by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The end result of filing for the OPT 24-month STEM extension is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) which shows dates students are able to work legally in the United States.

STEM Extension Overview

• Only one 24-month STEM extension is granted PER LIFETIME regardless of additional degrees awarded or level of degrees.
• New STEM extension EAD card begins the day after the expiration of the 12 month EAD card and ends 24-months later, no matter the date of adjudication.
• 24-month extension will be granted in one EAD card period and cannot be split into smaller periods.
• It is possible to change employers during the 24-months or while your application is pending. The new employment must meet the STEM extension requirements and a new I-983 form must be submitted.
• Students whose applications are received before the EAD card expires will be able to continue employment while the extension application is pending.
• If extension application is denied, the student will still have the 60-day grace period after expiration of the 12-month EAD card.

STEM Extension Requirements

• Must currently be on post-completion 12-month OPT
• Verified completion of a degree on the STEM Designated Degree Programs List. The CIP code is found on page 1 of your I-20.
• Employment Requirements:
  1. Paid
  2. At least 20 hours per week
  3. Directly related to field of study and appropriate to degree level obtained
• Employer Requirements:
  1. Registered with the U.S. Government E-Verify employment verification system
  2. Agrees to report any termination of employment within 10 days to International Engagement

When to Apply
Apply before your current EAD expires. USCIS recommends you apply up to 120 days before your OPT expiration. You can continue to work for up to 180 days while the application is pending.

How to Apply

• Complete the I-983 Form
  • I-983 Instructions
    • Employer Detailed Instructions – Share this link with your employer in order for them to become more familiar with filling out the form I-983)
    • Student Detailed Instructions – Preview this link in order to become more familiar with the I-983 form and the requirements)
• Complete Form I-765
  • Item 16: Use the applicable code (c) (3) (C)
  • Item 17: Please ask for an E-Verify code from your employer. An E-Verify ID number has 6 digits
  • Application fee of $410 check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security"
  • Copy of STEM degree (official transcript, unofficial transcript, or copy of diploma showing level and program of study)
  • Photocopy of the front and back of your I-94 card (electronic I-94) or if you do not have an I-94 card, a copy of your F-1 admission stamp in your passport
  • Photocopy of your last EAD (front and back)
  • Photocopy of passport identification page
  • Photocopy of F-1 visa
  • Two recent (within the last 30 days) passport size photos
  • Completed G-1145 Form (optional; it signs you up for email/text message notification of your application’s arrival at USCIS)
  • Send all documents to International Engagement so we may recommend you for an extension on your OPT
  • Photocopy of new I-20

Where to send your Application

As a courtesy, we can mail the application for you or you can send your application to the appropriate lockbox depending where you reside.

If you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Guam, or the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, be sure to mail your application to the USCIS Phoenix lockbox:

If you live in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, or West Virginia, be sure to mail your application to the USCIS Dallas lockbox:

Types of Eligible Employment for STEM OPT

1. Multiple employers – Students may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to the student’s degree program.
2. 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.
3. Self-employed business owner– Students on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. In this situation, the student must work full-time. The student must be able to prove to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to the student’s degree program.
4. Employment through an employment agency consulting firm - A student on a 24-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.

Limited Period of Unemployment to Maintain Status

An additional 30 days of unemployment time will be available during the extension, combined with the 90 days granted during initial 12-month. The aggregate total allowed is 120 days during the possible 29 months.

Students must report immediately to International Engagement of any changes in employment through the OPT Reporting Form.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strongly recommends that students keep evidence for each job regarding the position held, dates of position, the job title, supervisor name and contact information and a description of the job.

Reporting Requirements While On STEM Extension

Report to International Engagement every six months while 24-month OPT extension or within 10 days of any changes:

• Legal name
• Residential address
• Employer name
• Employer address, and/or
• Interruption or loss of employment

Please use the STEM OPT Reporting Requirements Form form to submit the validation report and any of the other changes listed above.

Travel while on STEM extension

Required documents to re-enter the U.S. while on STEM extension OPT:

• STEM extension OPT I-20 with travel signature; travel signature cannot be more than six months old
• Valid F-1 visa stamp
• Valid passport
• STEM Extension EAD card
• Job offer letter or statement of employment from company