What Is STEM OPT Extension?
Quick Answer
The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT available to F-1 students who graduated with a degree in a STEM field listed on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Combined with the initial 12-month OPT, STEM OPT provides up to 36 months of total work authorization. It requires employment with an E-Verify employer and a signed Form I-983 training plan.
Key Takeaway
If your degree is on the DHS STEM list, apply for the 24-month extension before your initial OPT expires. You need an E-Verify employer and a completed Form I-983 training plan to qualify.
Overview of the STEM OPT Extension
The STEM OPT extension allows eligible F-1 students to extend their post-completion OPT work authorization by an additional 24 months, for a total of up to 36 months. This extension is available to students who earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a field of study classified under the Department of Homeland Security's STEM Designated Degree Program List. The list includes hundreds of programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines.
The extension was established to help U.S. employers retain highly skilled international graduates in STEM fields and to give students additional time to gain practical experience and potentially transition to a longer-term work visa such as H-1B. The extra 24 months provides STEM graduates with up to two additional opportunities to participate in the annual H-1B lottery.
To apply, students must file a new Form I-765 with USCIS before their initial 12-month OPT expires. The application must include a completed and signed Form I-983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT Students), an updated I-20 with the STEM extension recommendation from the DSO, and evidence that the employer is enrolled in E-Verify.
Eligibility Requirements
Not all OPT holders qualify for the STEM extension. The student's degree must be in a field that appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time of application. The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code on the student's I-20 must match a code on the STEM list. Students should verify their CIP code with their DSO before applying.
In addition to the degree requirement, the student must be currently employed by an employer that is enrolled in the E-Verify program. E-Verify is a federal system that allows employers to verify the employment eligibility of their workers. The employer's E-Verify enrollment is a strict requirement—working for a non-E-Verify employer does not qualify, regardless of the field or position.
- Degree must be on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List
- Must be currently on post-completion OPT that has not yet expired
- Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify
- Student and employer must complete Form I-983 training plan
- Student must be in valid F-1 status
- Can be used twice if student earns two qualifying STEM degrees
The STEM OPT extension can only be used twice in a student's lifetime—once per qualifying STEM degree at a higher education level.
Form I-983 Training Plan
The Form I-983 is a training plan that must be completed jointly by the student and their employer. It outlines the student's learning objectives, describes how the employment will provide practical training related to the student's STEM degree, details the employer's mentorship and supervision plan, and explains how the student's compensation is commensurate with similarly situated U.S. workers.
The training plan must be signed by both the student and the employer's authorized representative and submitted to the DSO. The DSO reviews the training plan for completeness before recommending the STEM extension in SEVIS. Students must also submit updated training plans if there are material changes to the training, such as a change in employer, job duties, or work location. An annual self-evaluation is also required at the 12-month mark of the extension.
Reporting and Compliance Requirements
STEM OPT holders face more rigorous reporting requirements than standard OPT holders. In addition to reporting employment changes to the DSO within 10 days, STEM OPT students must participate in a validation process every six months. During validation, the DSO confirms the student's current employment status, employer information, and physical address. Failure to respond to a validation request can result in SEVIS termination.
The unemployment allowance for STEM OPT is 150 cumulative days over the combined initial OPT and STEM extension period. This is a combined limit, not an additional 150 days on top of the initial 90. Students should budget their unemployment days carefully across the full 36-month period. Additionally, any period of more than 10 consecutive days without an active employer must be reported, and students should have a new I-983 ready before starting with a new employer.