STEM OPT Extension: Requirements, Reporting Obligations, and Common Mistakes
STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months. Here's the requirements, employer obligations, and mistakes that can end your status.
Quick Answer
STEM OPT extension provides 24 additional months of work authorization (36 months total). Requirements: STEM degree from SEVP-certified school, employer enrolled in E-Verify, working in job directly related to STEM field, and Form I-983 training plan filed with school. Must report to DSO every 6 months. Unemployment limited to 150 days total during 36-month OPT period. Common mistakes: missing reporting deadlines, working for non-E-Verify employer, exceeding unemployment limit.
Key Takeaways
24-month extension (36 months total OPT for STEM graduates)
Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify
Form I-983 training plan required
Report to DSO every 6 months (mandatory)
Maximum 150 days unemployment during entire OPT period
File extension 90 days before regular OPT expires
Key Takeaways
24-month extension (36 months total OPT for STEM graduates)
Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify
Form I-983 training plan required
Report to DSO every 6 months (mandatory)
Maximum 150 days unemployment during entire OPT period
File extension 90 days before regular OPT expires
Table of Content
STEM OPT Eligibility
Requirements:
Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate in STEM field from SEVP-certified school
Degree on STEM Designated Degree Program List
Currently on post-completion OPT
Job directly related to STEM degree
Employer enrolled in E-Verify
STEM fields include:
Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics
Physical Sciences, Life Sciences
Some business degrees with quantitative focus
Check full list at studyinthestates.dhs.gov
Not all science degrees qualify. Verify your specific degree is on designated list.
Application Process
Timeline:
90 days before OPT expires: Earliest to file
60 days before OPT expires: Recommended filing
Day OPT expires: Latest to file (risky, not recommended)
Steps:
Confirm eligibility with DSO
Complete Form I-983 with employer
Submit I-983 to school's international office
Receive new I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation
File I-765 with USCIS (online or mail)
Receive EAD card (3-6 months processing)
Form I-983 Training Plan
I-983 is training plan signed by you and employer describing how job relates to STEM degree, training objectives and goals, employer's supervision of training, and how training advances career.
I-983 Section | Who Completes | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
Student Info | You | Name, SEVIS ID, degree |
Employer Info | Employer | Company name, EIN, E-Verify number |
Training Plan | Both | Goals, supervision, relation to degree |
Evaluation | Employer | 12-month and 24-month progress reports |
Employer must sign affirming they participate in E-Verify and will provide training described.
6-Month Reporting Requirement
STEM OPT students must report to DSO every 6 months (or within 10 days of certain changes).
Report:
Current employment status
Employer name and address
Whether job relates to STEM degree
Any changes to training plan
Missing reporting deadline = SEVIS termination = loss of status. Set calendar reminders.
Also report within 10 days:
Change of employer
Change of employer address
Interruption of employment
Change in personal information
Unemployment Limits
STEM OPT allows maximum 150 days total unemployment during entire 36-month OPT period (regular + STEM extension combined).
Counting unemployment:
Any day not employed minimum 20 hours = unemployment day
Includes weekends during unemployment periods
Cumulative across entire OPT period
Example:
Regular OPT: 30 days job searching after graduation
STEM OPT: 45 days between jobs
Total unemployment: 75 days (75 days remaining before hitting 150 limit)
Exceeding 150 days = automatic SEVIS termination and loss of status.
E-Verify Requirement
Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. This is non-negotiable for STEM OPT. If employer isn't enrolled, they cannot employ STEM OPT students.
Verify E-Verify enrollment:
Ask employer for E-Verify company ID number
Search E-Verify employer database
Confirm enrollment before accepting job
If current employer isn't enrolled and won't enroll, you must find different employer to maintain STEM OPT.
Common STEM OPT Mistakes
Mistakes ending status:
Missing 6-month reporting deadline
Working for non-E-Verify employer
Exceeding 150 days unemployment
Filing I-765 after OPT expires
Not updating training plan when changing jobs
Working less than 20 hours weekly (counts as unemployed)
Preventable issues:
Set calendar reminders for all deadlines
Verify E-Verify before accepting job
Track unemployment days carefully
File extension early (not at deadline)
Cap-Gap and H-1B Transition
If you're on STEM OPT and selected in H-1B lottery, Cap-Gap extension bridges from OPT end to October 1 H-1B start. This works even if STEM OPT would otherwise expire. Cap-Gap extends both status and work authorization.
Many STEM OPT students participate in 2-3 H-1B lotteries during their 36-month OPT period, increasing chances of selection.
STEM OPT Eligibility
Requirements:
Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate in STEM field from SEVP-certified school
Degree on STEM Designated Degree Program List
Currently on post-completion OPT
Job directly related to STEM degree
Employer enrolled in E-Verify
STEM fields include:
Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics
Physical Sciences, Life Sciences
Some business degrees with quantitative focus
Check full list at studyinthestates.dhs.gov
Not all science degrees qualify. Verify your specific degree is on designated list.
Application Process
Timeline:
90 days before OPT expires: Earliest to file
60 days before OPT expires: Recommended filing
Day OPT expires: Latest to file (risky, not recommended)
Steps:
Confirm eligibility with DSO
Complete Form I-983 with employer
Submit I-983 to school's international office
Receive new I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation
File I-765 with USCIS (online or mail)
Receive EAD card (3-6 months processing)
Form I-983 Training Plan
I-983 is training plan signed by you and employer describing how job relates to STEM degree, training objectives and goals, employer's supervision of training, and how training advances career.
I-983 Section | Who Completes | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
Student Info | You | Name, SEVIS ID, degree |
Employer Info | Employer | Company name, EIN, E-Verify number |
Training Plan | Both | Goals, supervision, relation to degree |
Evaluation | Employer | 12-month and 24-month progress reports |
Employer must sign affirming they participate in E-Verify and will provide training described.
6-Month Reporting Requirement
STEM OPT students must report to DSO every 6 months (or within 10 days of certain changes).
Report:
Current employment status
Employer name and address
Whether job relates to STEM degree
Any changes to training plan
Missing reporting deadline = SEVIS termination = loss of status. Set calendar reminders.
Also report within 10 days:
Change of employer
Change of employer address
Interruption of employment
Change in personal information
Unemployment Limits
STEM OPT allows maximum 150 days total unemployment during entire 36-month OPT period (regular + STEM extension combined).
Counting unemployment:
Any day not employed minimum 20 hours = unemployment day
Includes weekends during unemployment periods
Cumulative across entire OPT period
Example:
Regular OPT: 30 days job searching after graduation
STEM OPT: 45 days between jobs
Total unemployment: 75 days (75 days remaining before hitting 150 limit)
Exceeding 150 days = automatic SEVIS termination and loss of status.
E-Verify Requirement
Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. This is non-negotiable for STEM OPT. If employer isn't enrolled, they cannot employ STEM OPT students.
Verify E-Verify enrollment:
Ask employer for E-Verify company ID number
Search E-Verify employer database
Confirm enrollment before accepting job
If current employer isn't enrolled and won't enroll, you must find different employer to maintain STEM OPT.
Common STEM OPT Mistakes
Mistakes ending status:
Missing 6-month reporting deadline
Working for non-E-Verify employer
Exceeding 150 days unemployment
Filing I-765 after OPT expires
Not updating training plan when changing jobs
Working less than 20 hours weekly (counts as unemployed)
Preventable issues:
Set calendar reminders for all deadlines
Verify E-Verify before accepting job
Track unemployment days carefully
File extension early (not at deadline)
Cap-Gap and H-1B Transition
If you're on STEM OPT and selected in H-1B lottery, Cap-Gap extension bridges from OPT end to October 1 H-1B start. This works even if STEM OPT would otherwise expire. Cap-Gap extends both status and work authorization.
Many STEM OPT students participate in 2-3 H-1B lotteries during their 36-month OPT period, increasing chances of selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I file STEM OPT extension?
60-90 days before regular OPT expires. Earlier is better. Can file up to day of expiration but risky.
What if my employer isn't enrolled in E-Verify?
They must enroll or you must find different employer. E-Verify is mandatory requirement for STEM OPT employment.
How do I count unemployment days?
Any day not working minimum 20 hours weekly counts. Includes weekends during unemployment periods. Maximum 150 days total during 36-month OPT.
What happens if I miss 6-month reporting?
SEVIS may be terminated ending your status. Report immediately if you missed deadline - some DSOs can help resolve.
Can I work multiple part-time jobs?
Yes, if combined hours equal 20+ weekly and all jobs relate to STEM degree. Each employer needs separate I-983.
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