24-month STEM OPT Extension

Eligible F-1 students with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) degree may apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension.

To qualify, you must have earned a STEM degree from a currently accredited SEVP-certified school within the last 10 years that is on the SEVP-approved STEM OPT list Links to an external site.. The CIP code on your I-20 must match one of those on that list (look for the 6-digit code listed under your “Major(s)” on page one of your I-20).

USCIS must receive your properly filed I-765 application for the 24-month extension during the final 90 days of your post-completion OPT.

Eligibility Criteria:

  1. Students who are currently engaged in post-completion OPT and
  2. Properly maintaining their F-1 status during post-completion OPT; and
  3. Who have earned a bachelor’s or higher degree in a field included on SEVP-approved STEM OPT list within the last 10 years; and
  4. Who have a paid job or job offer related to the qualifying STEM degree with an employer enrolled in the U.S. Government's E-Verify program; and
  5. Submit a complete, signed Training Plan (I-983 Form Links to an external site.) to the IC.

STEM OPT is for 24 months and may be granted twice in a lifetime, but ONLY at successive degree levels.

For more information on the STEM OPT application and process, please follow these links:

STEM