The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a change to the existing F-1 STEM OPT program that allows for prospective students to apply for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT, as compared to the previously available 17-month extension.
Eligibility for STEM OPT Extension
In order to qualify for the STEM OPT extension, students must:
- have been granted OPT and currently be in a valid period of OPT
- have earned a bachelor’s master’s or doctoral degree from a school accredited by the U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency and certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
- Previously obtained STEM degrees: If you are a student participating in a 12-month program OPT based on a non-STEM degree, you may be able to use a prior STEM degree from an eligible accredited educational institution to apply for the STEM OPT extension. You cannot have already received a prior STEM OPT extension for this degree.
- work for an employer who meets all the requirements listed:
- Be enrolled in E-Verify and remain in good standing
- Report material changes to STEM OPT student’s DSO within 5 business days
- Implement a formal training program to augment the student’s learning through practical experience
- Provide an OPT opportunity commensurate with those of similarly situated U.S. workers
OPT Students Currently (or Pending) with a 17-month Extension
If you currently have a 17-month STEM OPT extension, you may apply to add 7 months to your STEM OPT period on or after May 10, 2016, as long as you have at least 150 days of valid employment authorization remaining on the date you properly file your new Form I-765. Please note that you must properly file your Form I-765, with fee, on or before August 8, 2016. USCIS will deny applications with less than 150 days of validity remaining and applications filed after August 8, 2016.
We granted a 17-month extension to any STEM OPT extension application approved before May 10, 2016. This included applications in which the student mistakenly requested a 24-month extension before being eligible to do so.
If your application for a 17-month STEM OPT extension was pending on May 10, 2016, USCIS will send you a request for evidence (RFE) to allow you to demonstrate that you are eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension.
