STEMÂ stands for "science, technology, engineering, mathematics." The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month extension for F-1 students who have completed an eligible STEM degree and meet the other eligibility requirements.
If you are interested in the STEM OPT extension, review the list of at The New School. For more information
on the STEM OPT extension, see the Employment Section.
STEM OPT Extension Eligibility
During your post-completion OPT, all of the following eligibility requirements must be met:
- Your program must be a degree program (bachelor's, master's, doctoral). Associate's and certificate programs are not eligible.
- The on your I-20 must be on the .
- You must currently be on an approved post-completion OPT.
- You must be employed while on OPT (you cannot exceed 90 days of unemployment).
- Your employer must be enrolled in (a system used by employers to determine employment eligibility and to verify the validity of a SSN).
- You must have a paid employment offer for at least 20 or more hours per week from the E-Verify employer. You cannot be self-employed.
- You and your employer must complete , which must be presented to ISSS at the time of application.
- You must not have previously used STEM OPT more than once. Please note that you cannot have more than one STEM OPT extension based on the same degree.
- USCIS must receive the application before your post-completion OPT expires (the end date on your EAD card) and no later than 60 days from the date the DSO recommended the STEM OPT in SEVIS.
- You must not apply more than 90 days before your post-completion OPT expires.
All of the eligibility requirements listed above must be met in order for you to be eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.
If you previously earned a STEM degree from an accredited U.S. institution, you may also be eligible for the STEM OPT extension. If you have questions, please email [email protected].
Applying for the Extension
You must be on approved post-completion OPT in order to apply for the STEM OPT extension. Once you are on post-completion OPT, you must:
- Attend a during your post-completion OPT
- Meet the eligibility requirements for the STEM OPT extension
- Prepare the required documents and submit them to ISSS to have your application reviewed toward the end of your 12 months of post-completion OPT.Â
- Obtain your new STEM OPT Extension I-20 from ISSS and submit the I-20 to USCIS within 60 days of the date the I-20 was issued and before your post-completion OPT expires.