STEM Extension Information | International Services Office

Changes to the OPT and STEM OPT Fee

Effective April 1^st, 2024
The fee for the I-765 online Application for Employment Authorization for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT Extension has increased from $410 to $470.

The fee for the I-765 paper Application for Employment Authorization for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT Extension has increased from $410 to $520.

Effective February 26, 2024
The Premium Processing service fee for expediting the I-765 applications for OPT and STEM Extensions has increased from $1,500 to $1,685. NOTE: Premium Processing Fees do not include the I-765 application fee. Students still need to pay the $470 fee for the application in addition to the Premium Processing Fee if they wish to expedite processing.

How to Apply for STEM OPT:

Step 1: Understand STEM OPT Extensions

The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month extension of post-completion optional practical training (OPT) that is available to certain F-1 students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees. The STEM Extension process is separate from the original post-completion OPT application and is usually done 90 days before the expiration date on your EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card. To learn more about applying for post-completion OPT, please visit our OPT page.

Note that, in contrast to post-completion OPT, you must either be currently working in or have a job offer for the role that you plan on using for your STEM extension. The job should relate to your STEM field of study. If your most recent degree was your STEM degree, it should relate to that degree. If you are applying for a STEM extension based on a prior degree, the job should relate to that degree.

Step 2: Confirm your Eligibility

STEM OPT Eligibility

To be eligible for STEM OPT, you must:

Currently be on a valid period of post-completion OPT.
Have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a school that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency and certified by SEVP at the time you submit your STEM OPT extension application. This degree must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time that the ISO recommends your STEM OPT Extension. This degree is referred to as a qualifying degree. A qualifying degree can be one of the following:
- Your most recent degree, the degree that served as the basis for your current period of standard 12-month post-completion OPT, or
- A previously obtained STEM degree, even if it was not conferred by the school that is managing your current post-completion OPT. However, a previously obtained degree must meet the following requirements to serve as the basis for a STEM extension:
  - The prior degree must have been conferred within the last 10 years at the time the ISO recommends the STEM OPT extension.
  - The prior degree must have been conferred by a U.S. educational institution. Degrees conferred by foreign institutions, or from overseas campuses of U.S. institutions, cannot serve as the basis for a STEM OPT extension.
  - The prior degree must be in a degree program category included on the current DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time of the DSO recommendation.
  - The OPT employment that is the basis for the 24-month STEM OPT extension must be directly related to the STEM prior degree.
Have a paid full-time (20 hours or more) position from an E-Verify employer
Have a job directly related to the STEM field of study (It is the student’s responsibility to demonstrate the relationship between their job and the STEM field)
Have a STEM OPT qualified employer (see STEM OPT Qualifying Employer Requirements below)
Submit your STEM OPT application to USCIS before the post-completion OPT ends (before the expiration of the EAD)

As an F-1 student, you are eligible to partake in a total of two 24-month STEM OPT extensions during your lifetime, and they may not be taken consecutively. However, you are only able to partake in one 24-month STEM OPT extension per qualifying degree.

STEM OPT Eligiblity Examples

To help you understand STEM OPT Eligibility, review the example scenarios below:

Example 1

George receives a BS in Mathematics. George then obtains post-completion OPT on the basis of his BS degree in Mathematics for 12 months. George then requests an OPT STEM Extension on the basis of his BS degree in Mathematics. George then goes on to complete an MS in Data Science. George obtains post-completion OPT on the basis of his MS in Data Science for 12 months. George then requests an OPT STEM Extension on the basis of his MS degree in Data Science. George then decides to pursue a PhD in Artificial Intelligence (AI). George may apply for 12 months of OPT on the basis of his PhD in AI. However, George is no longer eligible to apply for a STEM OPT Extension because he has already reached the limit of two STEM OPT extensions in his lifetime.

Example 2

Thomas graduates with a BS in Chemistry. Thomas receives 12 months of post-completion OPT after his chemistry degree but does not pursue a STEM OPT extension. Thomas then returns to school and graduates with a non-STEM MBA. Thomas receives 12 months of post-completion OPT on the basis of his non-STEM MBA. While Thomas is on his non-STEM MBA OPT, Thomas is eligible to apply for a STEM OPT extension based on his prior BS in Chemistry, as long as the STEM OPT qualifying job is related to his chemistry degree. If Thomas had used a STEM OPT extension after his BS, he would not be eligible for a STEM OPT extension after his non-STEM MBA.

Example 3

Martha graduates with a BS in Mathematics. Martha then goes on to complete an MS in Data Science. Both of these degrees are STEM-eligible. After her master's degree, Martha does 12 months of post-completion OPT, and decides to apply for a STEM OPT extension. Even though Martha has two STEM degrees, she is only eligible for one STEM OPT extension at this time. The only way that she could be eligible for a second STEM OPT extension, would be to pursue a higher degree. If she had done a STEM OPT extension after her bachelor's degree, she would still have been eligible for a second STEM OPT extension after her master's program. However, she cannot use a prior degree to request two consecutive STEM OPT extensions.

STEM OPT Qualifying Employer Requirements

You must be employed or have a future job offer for at least 20 hours per week or more in order to be eligible to apply for STEM OPT. You must have a bona fide employer-employee relationship with this employer. You cannot be self-employed while on a STEM OPT. Your STEM OPT employer must:

Be enrolled in the USCIS E-Verify program
Have an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Responsible for directly supervising you
Responsible for paying your salary
- Unpaid/volunteer work cannot be used as the basis for your STEM OPT extension.
Be willing to complete a Training Plan I-983 for you
- The employer must sign a Form I-983 Training Plan, agreeing to the wage, working conditions, supervision, site visit, and reporting obligations indicated on the form.

You may work for a staffing/temporary agency or a consulting firm while on STEM OPT, but only if they will be the entity that provides the practical training experience and they have and maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with you. If you have questions about whether you and your employer have a bona fide employer-employee relationship, please reach out to the ISO for clarification.

Multiple Concurrent Employers

You may work for multiple employers at the same time while on STEM OPT. However, both employers must meet the requirements above, and you must work for each employer for at least 20 hours.

Step 3: Request STEM OPT Extension I-20 from ISO on ISOGateway

Important Reminder: You should not apply with USCIS until you have received an updated I-20 with a STEM OPT recommendation from the ISO. Applying with USCIS before obtaining an updated I-20 from the ISO is a common mistake and will result in the loss of your application fee.

The first part of the application process is applying on ISOGateway. You may apply for a STEM Extension on ISOGateway starting 90 days before the expiration date listed on your current post-completion OPT EAD card. Note that USCIS must receive your complete application before the expiration date of your EAD, so it is a good idea to get started early. To request STEM OPT Extension I-20 from ISO on ISOGateway, complete the following steps:

STEM Extension Processing Fee

The first step is to submit a STEM Extension processing fee to the ISO. You will need to do this prior to submitting an OPT STEM extension request through ISOGateWay. Please note that this fee is non-refundable.

ISOGateway Required Documentation

Next, visit ISOGateway to submit the required documentation listed below:

A copy of your current OPT EAD card
A completed Draft Snapshot of form I-765 (see the STEM OPT Extension Application (Form I-765) Online Filing Guide in Step 5 for more information on how to complete and download your Draft Snapshot)
A readable printout of your most recent I-94 (Download from DHS)
A copy of your Passport & F-1 Visa
An original employment offer letter that clearly shows that the employer is STEM eligible (see "STEM OPT Qualifying Employer Requirements" for more information)
A Completed I-983 with all required signatures (Please see our Sample I-983)

Step 4: Receive STEM OPT Extension I-20 from ISO

At this point, the ISO reviews your documents. Please note that the ISO has a 10-business-day processing time. This processing time begins once the ISO has received your request.

If your application is complete and correct, the ISO will provide a STEM OPT Recommended I-20.
If there are any missing or incorrect documents, the ISO will contact you.

Note: The ISO will review your documents, but you as the student have the responsibility to review your entire submission for any errors and to ask the ISO if you have any questions.

Though the recommended STEM OPT I-20 is valid for 60 days, USCIS must still receive your application before the expiration date on your current post-completion OPT EAD card.

Step 5: Apply for STEM Extension with USCIS by Submitting the STEM OPT Recommended I-20 and Filing Form I-765

Once you have received your STEM OPT Recommended I-20 from the ISO, you may proceed with your online application for STEM OPT Extension with USCIS. It is extremely important to proceed carefully with the online application process. The system allows you to submit your application without all required documents and this may result in complications with your online application.

Otherwise, you may continue to submit the OPT application to USCIS by mail. Please consult with an ISO advisor if you are unsure about the process.

Premium Processing

You have the option to file for premium processing to expedite your application. USCIS' website states that students who apply using premium processing will have their case adjudicated within 30 days. For more information on premium processing visit the USCIS website. You may choose premium processing when submitting your application OR after your application has been submitted.

The Premium Processing service fee for expediting the I-765 applications for OPT and STEM Extensions is $1,685. Note that this Premium Processing fee does not include the I-765 application fee. You need to pay the Premium Processing Fee in addition to the $470 I-765 application fee if you wish to expedite processing.

Before Submitting your Application to USCIS:

Once you have received your STEM OPT Recommended I-20 from the ISO, you may proceed with your online application for STEM OPT Extension with USCIS. Before you submitting your application, take the following steps:

Review that your application is complete.
Make sure you signed your I-20 in blue wet ink.
If you are submitting online, you will be asked to sign and date your I-765 towards the end of the application. If you're submitting a paper application, please make sure to sign and date it with a blue wet ink signature.
Ensure that you used a valid address (at least for the next 4 to 6 months) to receive your EAD card and any other correspondence from USCIS. If you move, you must update your address with USCIS within 10 days of moving. See the USCIS Form AR-11 for more information.
Verify that the I-20 STEM OPT recommendation has been done within the last 60 days.
If you are submitting your application by mail, we recommend that you make copies of your entire application for your personal records before you submit it to USCIS.

STEM OPT Extension Application (Form I-765) Document Checklist

Note: Do not make payment without double-checking your application for errors. Once payment is submitted, no corrections/edits may be made.

Your application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must include the following documents:

Original I-765, completed and signed
$470, paid electronically
Official degree transcripts, and a copy of diploma if available
- If your diploma does not include your major/program of study, it is especially important that you submit an official transcript that has the name of your major/program of study. USCIS is looking to ensure that you are applying based on an eligible STEM degree.
A copy of the most recent Form I-20 containing the 24-month STEM Extension recommendation and your signature in wet blue ink
Copies of all previously issued I-20s with OPT authorizations
A copy of your passport
A printout of the most recent I-94
A copy of your F-1 visa
A copy of your current EAD card front and back
Copies of any previous EAD cards (if applicable)

STEM OPT Extension Application (Form I-765) Online Filing Guide

The ISO has developed a step-by-step guide to help you complete the online I-765 application. Remember to proceed carefully with the online application process. The system allows you to submit your application without all required documents and this may result in complications with your online application. Please consult with an ISO advisor if you are unsure about the process.

Access the STEM OPT Extension (I-765) Online Filing Guide

STEM Extension OPT Application Via Mail (Not Recommended)

If applying through the mail, your application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must include the following documents:

$520 to be paid by Personal check or money order
Original I-765 completed in black ink, signed in blue ink
Personal check or money order for $520.
2 passport-style photos in a clear Ziploc bag (Photo Guidelines)
Official degree transcripts, and a copy of diploma if available
- If your diploma does not include your major/program of study, it is especially important that you submit an official transcript that has the name of your major/program of study. USCIS is looking to ensure that you are applying based on an eligible STEM degree.
A copy of the most recent Form I-20 containing the 24-month STEM Extension recommendation and your signature in wet blue ink
Copies of all previously issued I-20s with OPT authorizations
A copy of your passport
A printout of your most recent I-94
A copy of your F-1 visa
A copy of your current EAD card front and back
Copies of any previous EAD cards (if applicable)
Optional Form G-1145 (if you would like to receive electronic notifications regarding your case)

Step 6: Check Application Status and Receive Adjudication from USCIS

After you have submitted your application to USCIS, they will review your application and either approve your request, ask for more evidence, or deny your application.

Common reasons for denial include:

Submitting the STEM OPT application after the expiration date on your post-completion OPT EAD Card
Applying with a STEM OPT Recommended I-20 that has expired (STEM OPT Recommended I-20s are only valid for 60 days)

We want to ensure that your STEM OPT Extension application is as smooth as possible. That is why we have created this guide to help you understand these important timelines and requirements. Please be sure to read through all of the information on this page thoroughly, and don't hesitate to reach out to [email protected] with any questions you may have.

Checking the Status of Your Request: We advise students to carefully plan when they send their application, but as a general rule, we recommend that you apply for STEM OPT as early as possible. USCIS will send you a receipt notice (Form I-797) immediately if you file online, and within 2-3 weeks of your submission if you file by mail. This document is proof that USCIS has received your application. The receipt will have your name and your case number. You can use the case number to track the progress of your application on the USCIS Website and learn about case timelines. If USCIS is taking longer than the normal processing timeline, please submit a case inquiry with USCIS. We also recommend that you sign up for an account with uscis.gov to track your application.
Request for Evidence (RFE): USCIS may, on certain occasions, send a Request for Evidence (RFE). The request is usually sent when USCIS has further questions and/or the application is missing something. If you receive an RFE, please contact the ISO as soon as possible so we can advise you on how to respond to it.
Changing Employers while STEM OPT is pending: If you need to change employers while STEM OPT is pending, please reach out to the ISO for more information on the steps you'll need to take.

Step 7: Receive EAD & Report on ISOGateway

Once your STEM OPT application is processed and approved by USCIS, you should receive an I-797 Notice of Approval letter. Your Employment Authorization Documents should arrive about 2 weeks after receiving the Approval Notice.

Step 8: Fulfill Your Responsibilities While on STEM OPT

Even after you begin your STEM OPT extension period, the ISO will still monitor your SEVIS status, and you must still work with the ISO to maintain your F-1 visa status. It is your responsibility to report information related to your STEM OPT employment. The ISO will continue to support and maintain your record during this period.

Reporting Employment and Contact Information to the ISO

While on your 24-month STEM OPT, you are required to update your employment and/or personal information to the ISO within 10 days of any changes. All STEM OPT extension reporting requirements have to be submitted through the ISOGateway under F-1 Practical Training/STEM OPT. You must report the following:

Changes to your residential address
Changes to your phone and email address
Changes to employer('s) name and/or EIN
Changes to employer('s) address
Changes to your Job Title
Start and/or end dates of employment if changing employers
Any periods of unemployment
Material Changes to your I-983 (Salary, Benefits)
Validation Reports every 6 months
12-Month Student Evaluation I-983
Final Student Evaluation I-983 at the end of each employment
24-Month Final Student Evaluation I-983
Ending your STEM and leaving the U.S. permanently
Change of visa status

While you are on STEM OPT, you are required to submit a STEM OPT Validation Report (I-983) every 6 months. To fill out this report, visit ISOGateway, select STEM OPT, then select STEM Validation Reports. You will receive alerts from ISO when these reports are due. See a timeline below of the required forms:

Reporting Timeline	Reporting Instructions
6 months after STEM OPT Start Date	6 months after the start date of your STEM OPT, you must submit your first I-983. This report will ask about changes to your employment and personal information that may have occurred during the first 6 months of your STEM OPT period. To fill out the 6-month validation report visit ISOGateway. Select "STEM OPT Validation Report." For "Validation Report Period," please select "6-month."
12 months after STEM OPT Start Date	12 months after your STEM OPT start date, you must submit an updated I-983 with your first self-evaluation. To fill out the 12-month validation report visit ISOGateway and select "STEM OPT Validation Report." For "Validation Report Period," please select "12-month." You must complete the top half of the self-evaluation on Page 5 of your I-983, and it must be signed by you and your supervisor. Note: digital/electronic signatures are acceptable. Please submit all 5 pages of your I-983.
18 months after STEM OPT Start Date	This eform will ask about changes to your employment and personal information that may have occurred during the 6 months after filing the 12-month I-983. To fill out the 18-month validation report visit ISOGateway and select "STEM OPT Validation Report." For "Validation Report Period," please select "18-month."
24 months after STEM OPT Start Date	At the end of your 24-month STEM Extension you must submit an updated I-983 with your final self-evaluation. To fill out the 24-month validation report visit ISOGateway and select "STEM OPT Validation Report." For "Validation Report Period," please select "24-month." You must complete the bottom half of the self-evaluation on Page 5 of your I-983, and it must be signed by you and your supervisor. Note: digital/electronic signatures are acceptable. Please submit all 5 pages of your I-983.
Within 10 days of Ending Any Employment	If you end your current employment while on STEM OPT, contact the ISO within 10 days to report this change.
Before Starting Any New Employment	Before starting any new employment while on STEM OPT, contact the ISO to ensure that you follow the correct reporting procedures.
Change of Status while on STEM OPT	You will need to report any change of status while on STEM OPT (for example, changing to H-1B status). If you change your status while on STEM OPT, contact the ISO for further instructions.

Unemployment while on STEM OPT

During your STEM OPT Extension period, you are allowed 60 days of unemployment. This is in addition to the 90 days of unemployment that are allowed while on Post-Completion OPT. That means that you have a total of 150 unemployment days available to you across the full 36 months of OPT (12 months of OPT and 24 months of STEM OPT). This means that you can carry over any unused unemployment days from Post-Completion OPT during STEM OPT. Any unemployment days used during Post-Completion OPT will be subtracted from the total 150 unemployment days allowed across both OPT periods.

H-1B and OPT Cap-Gap Extensions

A Cap Gap extension extends an F-1 student's status to bridge the gap between OPT/STEM OPT work authorization and the start date of an H-1B status. For information on cap-gap extensions and eligibility, reach out to the ISO.