For F-1 graduates in science, technology, engineering and math, the STEM OPT extension is one of the most valuable benefits of studying in the US. It adds 24 months of work authorization after your 12-month post-completion OPT, giving you up to three years of US work experience and, for many, more than one chance at the H-1B lottery.
This guide explains the steps. It’s general information, not legal advice. Your school’s Designated School Official (DSO) is your main contact throughout.
Who is eligible
You must:
- Be in valid F-1 status on post-completion OPT
- Hold a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from an SEVP-certified, accredited school in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (checked by the degree’s CIP code)
- Have a job offer from an employer enrolled in E-Verify
- Work at least 20 hours per week in a paid role directly related to your STEM degree
- Have a formal training plan (Form I-983) with your employer
You can also use an earlier STEM degree from a US school, as long as it was earned within the last 10 years, even if your current OPT is based on a non-STEM degree.
Step 1: Confirm your degree qualifies
Find your degree’s CIP code on your I-20 and check it against the STEM list. If you’re unsure, ask your DSO.
Step 2: Confirm your employer’s E-Verify status
Ask HR for the company’s E-Verify number. Staffing arrangements where you’d work at a client site need extra care, because the employer must provide the training and supervision.
Step 3: Complete Form I-983 with your employer
The I-983 is a training plan that describes:
- Your role, duties and hours
- How the job relates to your STEM degree
- Your learning objectives and how they’ll be measured
- Your supervisor and how they’ll oversee your training
- Your pay, which must be comparable to similarly situated US workers
Both you and your employer sign it. Be specific. Vague plans can cause delays.
Step 4: Get a new I-20 recommending STEM OPT
Submit the signed I-983 and your school’s request form to your DSO. The DSO reviews it and issues a new I-20 with a STEM OPT recommendation in SEVIS.
Step 5: File Form I-765 with USCIS
File Form I-765 online or by mail, with:
- The new I-20 (signed by you and dated within 60 days of filing)
- Copy of your current EAD card
- Copy of your STEM degree
- Your employer’s name and E-Verify number
- Passport-style photos (for paper filing)
- The filing fee
Timing
- You can file up to 90 days before your current OPT expires
- You must file before it expires
- USCIS must receive the application within 60 days of the DSO entering the recommendation in SEVIS
Tip: File early in the 90-day window. If your OPT expires while the STEM application is pending, a timely filed extension lets you keep working for up to 180 days.
Step 6: Wait for your new EAD
Track your case with the receipt number. Once approved, your new EAD card arrives by mail.
Reporting requirements
STEM OPT has more reporting than regular OPT:
| Report | When |
|---|---|
| Changes to name, address, employer or job | Within 10 days, through the SEVP Portal or your DSO |
| Validation report (confirm details are unchanged) | Every six months |
| Self-evaluation on the I-983 | At 12 months and at the end |
| Leaving an employer | Within 10 days, and your employer reports within 5 business days |
| New employer | New I-983 submitted to your DSO within 10 days |
Missing reports can cause SEVIS problems, so set calendar reminders.
Unemployment days
On regular OPT you can have up to 90 days of unemployment. STEM OPT adds 60 more, for a total of 150 days over the full OPT period.
Changing jobs during STEM OPT
You can change employers. The new employer must use E-Verify, and you need a new I-983 within 10 days of starting. Your old employer reports that you’ve left. There’s no new I-765 filing.
Travel during STEM OPT
You can generally travel abroad and return if you have:
- A valid passport
- A valid F-1 visa (or plan to renew it abroad)
- Your EAD card
- Your I-20 with a recent travel signature
- A letter from your employer confirming your job
Traveling while the STEM application is pending is riskier; check with your DSO first.
Cap-gap: moving to H-1B
If your employer files an H-1B petition for you while you’re on OPT or STEM OPT, the cap-gap rule can extend your status and work permission until the H-1B start date on October 1, as long as the petition is filed on time and requests change of status.
Common problems
- Degree CIP code not on the STEM list
- Employer not enrolled in E-Verify
- I-983 too vague or missing supervisor details
- I-20 older than 60 days at filing
- Filing after OPT expires, which isn’t allowed
Plan three to four months ahead, and STEM OPT is usually smooth.
Timeline example
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| June 1 | Regular OPT ends on August 31; start the I-983 with your employer |
| June 5 | Confirm your degree’s CIP code and your employer’s E-Verify number |
| June 15 | Submit the I-983 and request to your DSO |
| June 25 | Receive the new I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation |
| June 28 | File Form I-765 online |
| July–October | Wait for approval; if OPT expires, keep working under the 180-day extension |
| Receipt | Save your receipt notice; show it to HR as proof of the pending application |
Filling out the I-983 well
- Learning objectives: write three to five specific goals, such as “Design and deploy data pipelines processing over one million records daily”
- Oversight: name your supervisor and explain regular check-ins and reviews
- Measures: explain how progress will be evaluated, such as quarterly reviews or project milestones
- Relation to degree: connect your coursework to your duties directly
- Compensation: list salary and benefits; they must match what similar US workers receive
What employers must do
STEM OPT employers agree to:
- Provide training according to the I-983
- Report to your DSO within five business days if you leave or are terminated
- Keep compensation comparable to similar US workers
- Allow site visits by DHS, which can happen with notice
Staffing and consulting companies can employ STEM OPT students, but must provide the training and supervision themselves, not only through a client.
Working remotely on STEM OPT
Remote and hybrid work is possible, but the I-983 must describe it accurately, including supervision and where you’ll work. Your address and employer details in SEVIS must be correct. If your work location changes, update your DSO and the I-983 as required.
After STEM OPT
Most students plan to move to an H-1B, O-1 or green card during STEM OPT. With up to three years of OPT total, many students get two or three chances in the H-1B lottery. Start conversations with your employer about sponsorship early in your first year.
Quick checklist before you file
- ☐ Degree CIP code on the STEM list
- ☐ Employer enrolled in E-Verify, with E-Verify number
- ☐ I-983 complete and signed by you and your employer
- ☐ New I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation, signed and dated within 60 days
- ☐ Copies of EAD, degree and passport
- ☐ Filing fee ready
- ☐ Filing within 90 days before your OPT ends
Missing any one of these is the most common reason for delays.
Key terms at a glance
- CIP code: the number that classifies your degree field
- E-Verify: a federal system employers use to confirm work eligibility
