Lana Oconnell
International students in the US on an F-1 visa who have earned a degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). The STEM OPT Extension allows students to gain practical work experience directly related to their program of study. To qualify, students must meet certain requirements, including having earned their degree from an accredited and SEVP-certified institution, maintaining full-time enrollment, and possessing a valid passport. The OPT employment opportunity must be directly related to the student's STEM degree, and the employer must be enrolled in USCIS' E-Verify employment eligibility verification program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student Type | F-1 |
| Degree Type | Bachelor's or higher |
| Field of Study | Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) |
| Accreditation | SEVP-certified school, accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. |
| Application Timing | Up to 120 days before the expiration of the initial OPT period |
| Application Fee | $470 |
| Submission | Form I-765, Form I-20, copy of STEM degree |
| DSO Endorsement | Required, within 60 days |
| Automatic Extension | 180 days |
| Employment Requirements | Bona fide employer-employee relationship, 20 hours/week, formal training, participation in E-Verify |
| Multiple STEM OPT Extensions | Possible with a second qualifying STEM degree at a higher level |
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What You'll Learn
- Students must have a bachelor's degree or higher in a STEM field from an SEVP-certified school
- The STEM degree must be on the DHS's STEM Designated Degree Program List
- Students must have a job or job offer related to their field of study, providing at least 20 hours of work per week
- The employer must maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student, signing Form I-983
- Submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, up to 90 days before current OPT employment expires
Students must have a bachelor's degree or higher in a STEM field from an SEVP-certified school
To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, international students must have a bachelor's degree or higher in a STEM field from an SEVP-certified school. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a US government programme that allows schools with an approved Form I-17, "Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student", to enrol nonimmigrant students. Schools that are SEVP-certified have made a legally binding commitment to comply with federal laws, regulations, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements. They must also maintain certain reporting and record-keeping obligations.
To become SEVP-certified, schools must submit a petition and pay a fee of $3,000, as well as a site visit fee of $655 per physical location listed on the Form I-17. The petition process includes a review of the Form I-17, submission of supporting documentation, site visits, research, and federal adjudication. Schools must also prove that they are operational, have the necessary facilities, finances, and personnel to teach the program, and meet state requirements to operate as a learning institution.
SEVP-certified schools are authorised to issue Forms I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", to prospective international students. These students can then use the Form I-20 to apply for a visa to enter the United States. It is important to note that the STEM degree must be on the DHS's STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time the student submits their application for the STEM OPT extension.
Additionally, to be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, students must have a designated school official (DSO) at their academic institution recommend the OPT by endorsing their Form I-20 and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students must also submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, up to 90 days before their current OPT employment authorisation expires.
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The STEM degree must be on the DHS's STEM Designated Degree Program List
International students on an F-1 visa who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization. This is known as the STEM OPT extension. To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, an F-1 student must hold a bachelor's degree or a higher degree in an eligible STEM field from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States.
The STEM Designated Degree Program List is a comprehensive list of fields that fall within the regulatory definition of "STEM field" and qualifies certain degrees to fulfill the STEM OPT extension requirement. This list is maintained by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is based on the Department of Education's Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) taxonomy system. The CIP taxonomy within the two-digit series includes engineering (CIP code 14), biological sciences (CIP code 26), mathematics (CIP code 27), physical sciences (CIP code 40), or a related field.
The DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list includes all STEM fields qualifying an F-1 student for a STEM OPT extension. In some cases, students may be eligible to use a prior STEM degree from an accredited SEVP-certified school to fulfill this eligibility requirement. The qualifying STEM degree needs to be on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time the student submits their application for the STEM OPT extension, rather than at the time the student received the degree.
To apply for the STEM OPT extension, students must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, up to 90 days before their current OPT employment authorization expires and within 60 days of their designated school official (DSO) entering the recommendation for OPT into their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record. Additionally, students may be eligible for one additional 24-month STEM OPT extension if they enroll in a new academic program and earn another qualifying STEM degree at a higher education level.
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Students must have a job or job offer related to their field of study, providing at least 20 hours of work per week
To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, an F-1 student must hold a bachelor's degree or a higher degree in an eligible STEM field. This includes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students must also have earned their degree from a school that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency and is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
When it comes to employment, students must have a job or job offer that meets specific criteria. Firstly, the job must be directly related to the student's STEM field of study. This means that the work should align with their major and utilize their STEM knowledge and skills. Additionally, the job must provide at least 20 hours of work per week. This ensures that the position provides sufficient opportunity for practical training and application of STEM concepts.
It is important to note that the employer must also meet certain requirements. The employer must have and maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student. This means that the employment must be genuine and not a means to simply facilitate the OPT extension. The employer must also be enrolled in the USCIS E-Verify Program and have a valid E-Verify Company Identification Number. Furthermore, the employer is expected to provide appropriate training and resources to the student, ensuring that the training opportunity assists the student in achieving their educational and career goals.
To ensure compliance, students are responsible for maintaining evidence of their employment. This includes documentation of the position held, duration, job title, supervisor or manager's contact information, and a description of the work performed. Students must also report their employment through the designated channels, such as the Student SEVIS Update (SSU) form. It is crucial for students to stay informed about the specific requirements and regulations associated with the STEM OPT extension to ensure they remain eligible and can successfully complete their practical training period.
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The employer must maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student, signing Form I-983
International students on an F-1 visa who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization. To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, the student must hold a bachelor's degree or a higher degree from an accredited SEVP-certified school.
To be eligible to employ a STEM OPT student, an employer must maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student. This means that the employer cannot be the student's "employer" in name only, nor can the student work for the employer on a "volunteer" basis. To attest to this bona fide relationship, the employer must sign Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students.
Form I-983 is a crucial document in the STEM OPT process, as it outlines the training plan for the student during their OPT period. It includes information such as the student's role and responsibilities, the goals and objectives of the training, and the number of hours the student will be working. The form also requires the employer to make certain attestations, such as confirming that the student will not replace a full-time or part-time employee and that the student will be properly supervised.
By signing Form I-983, the employer is agreeing to provide the student with a training opportunity that is directly related to the student's STEM degree. This form helps ensure that the student is gaining practical experience and skills that are relevant to their field of study. It also allows the employer to outline the specific training activities and milestones that the student will be expected to achieve during their OPT period.
Additionally, the employer plays a significant role in helping the student maintain their F-1 visa status during the OPT period. This includes ensuring that the student is making satisfactory progress in their training and providing updates to the student's designated school official (DSO) as needed. By maintaining a bona fide employer-employee relationship and signing Form I-983, the employer is committing to providing a valuable training opportunity that contributes to the student's educational and professional development.
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Submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, up to 90 days before current OPT employment expires
To renew an existing Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you should submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, within 6 months of the expiration date of your current EAD. It is recommended that you do not renew your EAD more than 180 days before it expires. You can submit Form I-765 up to 90 days before your current OPT employment authorization expires.
To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, an F-1 student must hold a bachelor's or higher degree in a qualifying STEM field from an SEVP-certified school that is accredited by a recognized agency. To participate twice in the STEM OPT extension, a student must earn a second qualifying degree at a higher education level and must be participating in an initial period of OPT when they apply for their second STEM OPT extension. In some cases, a prior STEM degree can be used to qualify for the second STEM OPT extension. The qualifying STEM degree must be on the DHS's STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time of application, not when the student received the degree.
To renew your EAD, you must submit Form I-765 at least 90 days before the expiration date. You can pay the filing fee by money order, personal check, cashier's check, credit card, or debit card. If you pay by check, make it payable to the U.S. USCIS will soon begin to collect new fees for certain immigration benefit requests. If you are a current or former service member who was paroled into the U.S. under the Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative (IMMVI), there is no filing fee. Write "IMMVI" at the top of the form and submit supporting documentation.
After USCIS approves your Form I-765, your EAD card will be produced within 2 weeks and mailed via USPS Priority Mail. Make sure your mailing address is correct, and update it promptly if necessary. If your address is not up to date, your case may be delayed, your documents may get lost, and you may need to reapply and pay the fee again.
If your OPT period expires while your STEM OPT extension application is pending, your employment authorization will be automatically extended for 180 days.
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Frequently asked questions
The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field.
To qualify for a STEM OPT extension, an F-1 student must hold a bachelor's degree or a higher degree in an eligible STEM field from an SEVP-certified school that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the US.
To apply for a STEM OPT extension, you will need to submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, up to 90 days before your current OPT employment authorization expires. You will also need your employer's E-Verify Company Identification Number or valid E-Verify Client Company Identification Number, Form I-20, and a copy of your STEM degree.
