OPT STEM Extension

F-1 students with STEM degrees in fields listed on the ICE STEM Designated Degree Program List may be eligible for the OPT STEM Extension.

USCIS's premium processing fee will increase to $1685 starting February 26, 2024 for I-765 applications.

USCIS's OPT (I-765) application fee will increase to $470 for online filings starting April 1, 2024. Paper OPT filings will increase to $520.

Eligibility & When to Apply

Overview

F-1 students with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degrees in fields listed on the ICE STEM Designated Degree Program List may be eligible for the OPT STEM Extension. It allows you to continue working off-campus in a job related to your major directly after the completion of Post-Completion OPT.

Who is eligible for the STEM Extension?

• You must be currently authorized for Post-Completion OPT (or you are on the "Cap Gap Extension").
• You must apply based on a STEM qualifying bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a SEVIS certified U.S. school in a field on the ICE STEM Designated Degree Program list. Only degrees received within 10 years of the date of your DSO recommendation for an OPT STEM Extension are eligible.
  • You cannot apply for STEM OPT on the basis of a certificate program or a minor.
  • The employer must be registered in the E-Verify system. E-Verify is an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). It allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.
  • Your employment must be directly related to your major field of study. It is your responsibility to prove and document how your employment is directly related to your field of study.
  • You must work at least 20 hours per week.
  • You must be paid. Volunteer employment is not permitted.
  • You cannot be self-employed.
  • The employer must agree to sign and adhere to the training program outlined in Form I-983.
  • Considering STEM OPT employment with a staffing agency? Find details on Study in the States.
    

  A student may request a second STEM OPT extension if:

  • Student is in a period of active Post-Completion OPT
  • Student has a second STEM degree at a higher level than the one used for the first STEM OPT Extension.
  • Student has not already based any portion of the STEM OPT extension on the second STEM degree
  • Second STEM degree meets all of the above requirements.

  When should I apply for my STEM Extension?

  The earliest you can apply for the OPT STEM Extension is 90 days prior to the expiration of your EAD card. If it is submitted too early, the USCIS will deny the application.

  Your application must be received by the USCIS before your current OPT EAD card expires.

  The USCIS must receive your STEM OPT application before your current EAD expires AND within 60 days of the issuance of your I-20 with the OPT STEM recommendation.

  Do NOT submit your application to the USCIS more than 90 days before your current EAD expires. If you do, your application may be denied.

  Application Step 1: Request Your STEM OPT I-20

  Step 1 is applying for an OPT STEM Extension I-20 from ISS

  Prepare your OPT application and submit it online to ISS following the directions below:

  1. Pay the UB STEM OPT fee. The fee is $132. After paying the fee, remember to save the receipt.

  Having issues with UB Global?

  Check our troubleshooting tips before emailing. The answer to your concern may be listed.

  3. Complete the e-form and upload all required documents. Only documents saved as PDF or JPEG are acceptable. You must submit:

  • UB OPT Fee receipt.
  • Photocopy of your diploma indicating completion of a STEM eligible degree or transcripts indicating that you have completed all degree requirements with the exception of your thesis/dissertation.
    • Such documentation must specify your field of study.
    • If you are applying on the basis of a degree received from another U.S. educational institution, you will also be required to upload proof that this degree was in a STEM eligible field. A copy of your previous school’s I-20 and transcript may suffice.
    • If additional documentation is needed, we will contact you.

    Form I-983 Tips for UB Students

    I-983 Instructions

    • Information specific to students completing Form I-983 is available on the student page.
    • Information specific to employers and Form I-983 is available on the employer's page.
    Need help with Sections 1 & 3?

    UB specific information is available on the next tabs.

    Section 5: Employer Site Information

    Students must list the physical location of their employment on the I-983. The work site location should be where day-to-day duties are conducted and this may be different than the employer's primary address.
    

    If working remotely from home, you should not enter your home address in the work site address fields. Instead, you would enter the address of your employer where you would report to work if not working remotely.

    4. Click "Submit”. After reviewing your application, ISS will enter your OPT STEM recommendation into the SEVIS system, which will produce a new I-20 with the OPT STEM recommendation. You will receive an email when your OPT STEM I-20 is ready. Check our e-form processing page for current processing times.
    

    Application Step 2: Apply for Your STEM EAD

    After receiving your new I-20 from ISS, submit your STEM OPT application to the USCIS Service Center for an EAD.

    There are two methods to file your I-765 with USCIS, a paper I-765 you submit by mail or online with a USCIS online account. Since OPT is a personal application, it is your choice which method you use. Both options cost the same, and the overall processing times are also generally the same.

    Many students choose to use the online system because the Receipt Notice is created immediately, documents issued by USCIS (like the receipt notice or any requests for evidence) are available directly in the online system, and applying for OPT online via MyUSCIS is a great way to mitigate the risk of rejection because the online form ensures the application is signed electronically and the correct fee is paid.

    You must choose only one method for your application. Do not submit multiple OPT applications to USCIS without first speaking to an ISS advisor to discuss your situation.

    The USCIS must receive your complete application:

    1.) Before your current EAD expires AND

    2.) Within 60 days of the issuance of your I-20 with the OPT STEM recommendation.

    Do NOT submit your application to the USCIS more than 90 days before your current EAD expires. If you do, your application may be denied.

    While Your Application is Pending with USCIS

    What if my mailing address changes?

    Change Your Address

    We strongly encourage you to update your address with USCIS to ensure you receive all correspondence and benefits from us in a timely manner and avoid possible delays related to your case. In addition, all noncitizens must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days (except A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors) of moving.

    Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will not change your address with USCIS. You must update your information with both USCIS and USPS. If you need to change your address with the USPS, you may update it through the USPS website or visit your nearest post office.​

    Before You Change Your Address

    Do not use this request to change your address if:

    • You are a victim of domestic violence, trafficking, or other crimes;
    • You previously filed a Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, abuse waiver;
    • You have submitted an affidavit of support for another person and you are a U.S. citizen or national;
    • You are a civil surgeon; or
    • You are an Attorney of Record/Registered Representative and need to update your address.

    If you fall under any of the listed categories, read more about how you should change your address.

    Reporting Address Changes to USCIS

    1. Log into your USCIS online account.
    2. Select MyUSCIS.
    3. On your account screen, click the "request to change your address" link to see the instructions.
    4. Click the "Change my address" button.
    5. Follow the instructions step by step.

    Before you begin, make sure you have enough time and the required information to complete the form in one session. Once you start your request, you must not close this window or navigate away from the page. If you do not complete your request in one session, your responses will not be saved, you will lose all progress, and you will need to begin a new Change Your Address request.

    You may also use this tool if you do not have any pending cases and have moved to a new address, and need to update USCIS about where you live.

    How long is the STEM OPT application process?

    Currently, processing time at the USCIS can be as long as 5 months. However, processing times vary widely, depending on the time of year and workload at the Service Center to which you send your application. We encourage you to regularly review the processing times found on the USCIS website.

    If you have a job offer and 120 days has passed since the Receipt Date on your I797 Receipt Notice, you may contact us for assistance. We can inquire with USCIS about the status of your application. However, we cannot guarantee that our inquiry will result in an expedite or change in processing times.

    Once you have waited 150 days, or beyond the current maximum published USCIS processing times, we recommend that you take the following actions:

    • Email ISS with a copy of your receipt notice and a description of the actions you have already taken (any communication with USCIS, for example). If ISS has not already inquired with USCIS on your behalf, we will do so.
    • File an "Outside Normal Processing Time E-Request" with USCIS.
    • File a Case Assistance Request with the CIS Ombudsman Office. You can find additional information about the role of the CIS Ombudsman and how to file a request for assistance here.

    If you received a Request for Evidence, we do not recommend taking any of the actions above until you have waited 60 days after USCIS received your response.

    Contacting USCIS

    Planning to contact USCIS? Be sure to review their tip sheet to help make your communication with USCIS as effective as possible.