The STEM OPT extension allows F-1 students with degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) to extend their post completion OPT by 24 months.

You must have earned a degree in an eligible STEM field listed on the DHS STEM designated Degree Program List. Your employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify Program, which is an internet based system that allows businesses to verify the eligibility of their employees to work in the U.S.  You must be currently be in a valid period of post completion OPT and have a job or job offer related to your STEM degree. 

Students have to complete and submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the appropriate fee. Students have to obtain a new Form I-20 from their Designated School Official (DSO) with the STEM OPT recommendation. Also to complete and submit I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, which outlines the training plan and how it relates to their degree. Students have to include a copy of their most recent I-20, passport, visa and EAD Card, along with the application. 

Students may file Form I-765 and all supporting documents as early as 90 days before their Post-Completion OPT EAD end date and no later than their Post-Completion OPT EAD end date.

After receiving their STEM OPT I-20 from OIS, students must file Form I-765 and all supporting documents within 60 days of the I-20 issue date.

USCIS will deny any application received more than 60 days after the I-20 issue date or after the Post-Completion OPT EAD end date–no exceptions. Students who are at risk of missing a deadline should contact OIS immediately.

What are the employment requirements for STEM OPT? 

Students must work at least 20 hours per week in a job directly related to their STEM degree. Students can work for multiple employers, but each job must meet the requirements of the STEM OPT extension. Students are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment during the 24 month extension period, in addition to the initial 90 days of unemployment allowed during the initial 12 month OPT period. 

There are two things here to understand. One is Extended Work Authorization which is an additional 24 months of work authorization which allows for more professional experience and networking experiences. The other one is the pathway to H1-B visa which means an extension which can provide more opportunities to apply for and obtain an H-1B Visa. 

Example of STEM Fields are Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences. By understanding these requirements, a student can successfully apply for the STEM OPT extension and continue gaining valuable work experience in the U.S. 

The students must have submit a validation report to their DSO every six months, confirming their current employment and personal information. To submit self-evaluations on Form I-983 at the end of the first year and at the end of the second year of their STEM OPT period. Students have to report any material changes to their training plan, such as changes in employer or job duties, within 10 days. 

Copy of the current EAD Card (front and back), copy of most recent I-94, copy of the passport and F-1 visa and copy of any previous I-20 forms. 

Students are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment during the STEM OPT period, in addition to the addition to the initial 90 days allowed during standard OPT, making a total of 150 days. 

STEM OPT Application is pending when the current OPT expires, students are allowed to continue working for upto 180 days while the application is processed.