Introduction
The STEM OPT Extension (or STEM OPT) is an employment benefit that grants an extended period of work authorization in addition to a currently approved Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization period; currently, the extension period is 24 months. Please see the DHS Study in the States STEM OPT Hub for full information.
STEM OPT is granted by the USCIS and authorizes eligible F-1 students to work an additional 24 months as long as they meet the requirements, as listed on the webpage above and on the following governmental pages:
- Students: Determining STEM OPT Extension Eligibility.
- Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) | USCIS
While students are responsible for reviewing these requirements before applying, here are a few key points:
- The student is currently on post-completion OPT and has completed a STEM OPT-eligible degree (as determined by DHS) in the U.S. The CIP code assigned to your major at LSU and listed on page 1 of your I-20 in the primary or secondary major fields must match the DHS STEM OPT list exactly in order to be eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.
- Employer(s) must be enrolled in the USCIS E-Verify employment eligibility verification program.
- The job must be
- paid. (No volunteer/unpaid employment is allowed on STEM OPT.)
- directly related to the student's STEM OPT major field of study and at a level commensurate with their educational level, at a minimum of 20 hours per week.
- The employer(s) and student must agree to fulfill all of the 24-Month STEM OPT requirements and submit a completed Training Plan (I-983 Form) with all relevant information and signatures from the employer(s) and student.
- The student cannot be self-employed as a sole owner due to I-983 requirements. Study in the States article about Form I-983 Overview states: “STEM OPT students may participate in entrepreneurial ventures where the student is an employee. However, they may not act as their own employer or as the signatory for the employer for the purposes of this form.”
USCIS charges a filing fee for the I-765 form, which is necessary to apply for STEM OPT. This fee is subject to change at any time. Please make sure that you check the USCIS Filing Fees page at the time of filing to confirm the correct fee amount.
Application Process
Students may apply for STEM Extension up to 90 days before OPT end date on their EAD card. Students cannot apply for STEM Extension after their OPT end date on their EAD card.
Step 1
Review the STEM OPT Checklist and submit your draft documents to International Student Services for review via the online form. To submit your application to International Student Services for review, you will need an electronic copy of the following documents:
- Payment confirmation of the non-refundable $300 STEM Extension Maintenance Charge.
- Form I-983. You can review the I-983 Instructions and a Sample I-983 in the attachments section of this article.
Note: ISS cannot issue the STEM OPT I-20 until we have a fully executed, complete I-983. Be advised that an advisor will review the I-983 for accuracy and completeness; however, ISS will not review the I-765 Application. Students should refer to the I-765 instructions or STEM OPT Hub for additional information.
Step 2
After receiving your STEM Extension recommendation I-20, file your application with STEM Extension I-765 with USCIS.
- Your application must be received by USCIS no later than the end date on your current OPT EAD card. This deadline is a federal requirement, and there are no exceptions. Applications received after that date are denied.
- Please remember that USCIS processing times can be 90 days or more. Students who file a complete, timely application can continue employment while the application is pending until the final decision, or for 180 days, whichever comes first.
- The beginning date of the STEM OPT extension will be the day after the end date of the initial post-completion OPT employment authorization, and the extension ends 24 months later, regardless of the date the extension is approved.
- Students should not travel outside of the U.S. if their employment authorization document (EAD) has expired and their STEM OPT Extension request is pending.
Important Notice about I-765 Online Filing
Applying for the STEM OPT extension involves a request to the school that has your SEVIS record (for the recommendation) and an application to USCIS for the employment authorization (Form I-765). If you submit your application to USCIS too early or without the STEM OPT recommendation being complete in SEVIS, it will be denied.
Once you pay the I-765 filing fee, you have submitted your application. If your application is submitted without your STEM OPT recommendation I-20, you risk denial of the application. Always remember that you have to start with International Student Services first and receive the STEM OPT recommendation I-20 before you file anything to USCIS.
Estimated Processing Times
- Click here for the current ISS Processsing Times. Remember that International Student Services cannot issue the STEM OPT I-20 until we have a complete and accurate I-983.
- USCIS Processing Time: 3-4 months
- Within 30 days of approval: Student receives EAD card with approved STEM OPT start and end dates.
Maintaining Status during the STEM OPT Extension
F-1 students are required to report changes to their address and employment as well as validating their STEM OPT participation every 6 months. It is your responsibility to review the Reporting Guide: OPT & OPT STEM Extension to know how and when to meet your required SEVIS reporting obligations.
As stated in the Reporting Guide, U.S. Immigration regulations require reporting to be made to the Designated School Official (DSO). Use the STEM OPT Reporting Form to submit your reporting updates to ISS.
Days of Unemployment
During the STEM OPT Extension period, you are allowed up to 60 additional unemployment days. If you still had some of your OPT unemployment time left, then this can be used during STEM OPT as well. For example, if you never used any unemployment days at all, you would still have the original 90 days plus 60 more, for a total of 150 unemployment days to be used during the 3 year time frame (12 months OPT + 24 months STEM OPT). Please check with our office if you want an exact count of how many days you have used so far and how many unemployment days would still be available.
Final Evaluation
When you change positions or leave an Employer during the 24-Month STEM OPT period, you need to fill out the Final Evaluation on Student Progress, which is the lower section of the last page of the I-983 form. This step is completed with your training supervisor and submitted to International Student Services along with pages 1-4 of your I-983 Training Plan.
This Final Evaluation is required at two possible times:
- when leaving a STEM job.
- when completing the end of your 24-month period.
New or Additional STEM Employers
For any new Employers or positions that you will be working for during the 24-Month STEM OPT period, your new Employer will need to fill out the I-983 Training Plan. This step is required for any employer you have during this STEM OPT period, and we must verify that it is complete and signed before we can update your new employment. Students must submit the I-983 Training Plan to our office via the OPT reporting form on or before the validation reporting due date. ISS must receive your validation reporting no later than 10 days after the change for your reporting to be considered timely.
Travel during the STEM OPT Extension
After your STEM OPT has been approved, and you have the new STEM OPT EAD card in hand, it may be possible for you to travel as an F-1 student during your STEM OPT Extension period. Click here for information about Travel Outside the U.S. for Students on OPT, STEM Extension or Academic Training.
Please contact our office if you have a complicated travel situation or have further questions about traveling during your approved STEM OPT Extension period.
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