STEM OPT Extension

The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month extension to the standard 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) available to F-1 students who have completed degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields listed on the DHS Designated Degree Program List. Authorized under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10), the extension allows eligible F-1 graduates to work in the United States for up to 36 months total (12 months standard OPT + 24 months STEM extension) following program completion, without requiring an employer-sponsored visa such as H-1B. The extension is crucial for STEM professionals seeking to gain U.S. work experience, transition to permanent residency, or remain in the U.S. labor market. The extension became available in 2008 and has been expanded multiple times; as of 2026, it covers approximately 1,700 STEM degree programs across all education levels.

Key facts

Eligibility

• F-1 student who has completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degree in a field on the DHS Designated Degree Program List (updated annually; check stem-opt.uscis.gov for current list)
• Major field of study must be STEM-designated; degree conferred by the educational institution must be in a STEM field
• Completed initial 12-month OPT (extension is applied after initial OPT is active and being used)
• Currently employed or have a job offer from an employer enrolled in E-Verify
• Employer agreement to maintain E-Verify enrollment and compliance for the duration of STEM OPT employment
• Continuous F-1 status through program completion (no break in status)
• Valid passport
• Maintenance of status as per F-1 requirements (e.g., not enrolling in another degree program without changing visa status)

Required documents

• Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization (Category (c)(3)(ii) for STEM OPT extension)
• Evidence of STEM degree: Diploma, official transcript, or degree conferment letter showing STEM major and degree level
• DHS STEM degree program confirmation: List or printout from the official DHS Designated Degree Program List verifying the student’s specific degree program is STEM-designated
• Updated I-20: Most recent I-20 from school (or letter from DSO) confirming program completion date and F-1 status
• Employment letter or offer: Documentation from employer stating the position is STEM-related and that employer is enrolled in E-Verify
• Employer E-Verify enrollment confirmation: Confirmation that the employer is enrolled in and compliant with E-Verify (may be employer letterhead document or USCIS E-Verify lookup result)
• Copy of passport ID page: Photo page of valid passport
• 2×2 photograph: Passport-style photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Social Security Number or receipt: Evidence of Social Security Number or receipt for Social Security Card application
• Proof of initial OPT: Copy of initial I-765 approval (EAD) or receipt notice (Form I-797) showing initial 12-month OPT was approved

Application steps

1. Verify your degree is STEM-designated by consulting the DHS Designated Degree Program List at stem-opt.uscis.gov. Search by degree program name, major, or institution. Note: The determination is based on the specific degree major (e.g., “Computer Science,” “Mechanical Engineering”), not the school.

2. Confirm employer is E-Verify enrolled by providing the employer with your Social Security Number (if you haven’t already) and confirming the employer has completed the I-9 verification process. Request written confirmation that the employer is enrolled in E-Verify and will maintain compliance.

3. Obtain letter from employer confirming:

   • Your employment or job offer
   • The position title and description
   • Statement that the role is in a STEM field (the role must be STEM-related; it does not need to match the exact degree major but should be within the broad STEM discipline)
   • Confirmation of E-Verify enrollment and commitment to maintain it

4. Request updated I-20 or program completion letter from your school’s DSO confirming your F-1 status and program completion date.

5. Gather documentation:

   • Copy of your degree or transcript showing STEM major
   • Printout from the DHS list confirming your degree is STEM-designated
   • Employment letter from employer
   • E-Verify enrollment confirmation (obtain from employer or USCIS verifies automatically)
   • Copy of initial OPT approval (EAD or I-797)
   • Updated I-20 or DSO letter
   • Passport ID page copy
   • Passport-style photograph

6. Complete Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization):

   • Use Category (c)(3)(ii) (Student completing course of study at accredited school)
   • In supplemental information section, clearly state: “STEM OPT Extension — 24-month extension pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)”
   • Item #14: Availability dates (beginning the day initial 12-month OPT ends, extending 24 months forward)
   • Signature and date

7. Submit I-765 application to USCIS:

   • Mail: USCIS Service Center serving your state (address on I-765 instructions)
   • Online: Through USCIS online portal (uscis.gov) if available in your region
   • School-based: Some schools allow submission through DSO; confirm with your school

8. Include supporting documents in application envelope:

   • Completed I-765
   • Initial OPT approval copy
   • Degree or transcript showing STEM major
   • DHS list confirmation
   • Employer letter
   • Updated I-20
   • Passport copy
   • Photo

9. Receive receipt notice (Form I-797) from USCIS. This receipt serves as temporary work authorization while the STEM OPT extension I-765 is being processed.

10. Attend biometrics appointment if requested (less common for STEM OPT extension than for initial OPT, as background checks were completed for initial I-765).

11. Receive Employment Authorization Document (EAD) once approved. The card will show the 24-month extension validity dates. Processing typically takes 30–90 days.

12. Continue employment with E-Verify employer for the duration of the 24-month STEM OPT extension.

Financial proof / maintenance funds

STEM OPT extension is work-authorized status; no maintenance fund requirement applies.

Work rights

STEM OPT extension work authorization:

• Full-time employment in a field related to the STEM degree (not necessarily the exact major; broad field alignment is accepted, e.g., a Computer Science graduate can work in cybersecurity, software engineering, or data science)
• Can work for any U.S. employer enrolled in E-Verify (no employer visa sponsorship required; no employer-specific green card sponsorship needed to begin work)
• No limit on number of employers; student can change employers during the 24-month extension (each employer must be E-Verify enrolled)
• Work must be STEM-related; significantly changing fields violates the extension and can result in termination of authorization and deportation

Employer requirements (mandatory):

• Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify (E-Verify is an online system maintained by DHS and Social Security Administration that verifies work eligibility)
• Employer must verify the employee through E-Verify within 3 days of hire
• Employer must maintain E-Verify enrollment and compliance for duration of employee’s STEM OPT employment
• Employer must report to USCIS if the employee is terminated or leaves the company

Travel and re-entry:

• If student travels outside the U.S. during STEM OPT extension, an unexpired I-20 and valid passport are required for re-entry
• Advanced Parole (Form I-131) is optional but recommended if frequent travel is planned; no separate fee for I-131 filed concurrently with STEM OPT I-765

Transition to other visa status:

• At the end of 24-month STEM OPT extension (36 months total work authorization), student must either:
  • Transition to employer-sponsored H-1B visa (employer must initiate H-1B petition; requires specialty occupation requirement proof; subject to annual H-1B lottery and cap)
  • Transition to employment-based green card sponsorship (EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 category; requires employer sponsorship)
  • Transition to O-1 visa (extraordinary ability in STEM field)
  • Depart the United States

Common refusal or termination reasons

• Degree not on DHS STEM list: Degree is in a field not recognized as STEM; USCIS denies extension
• Major not verified as STEM: Degree was conferred in a non-STEM major or the diploma lists a general field that is not on the designated list; USCIS may deny or require clarification
• Initial OPT expired or not completed: Student has not yet completed the initial 12-month OPT; extension application must wait until OPT is active and being used
• Late application: Applying more than 60 days after initial 12-month OPT completion; extension is forfeited (student cannot retroactively receive the months missed)
• Employer not E-Verify enrolled: Employer does not have E-Verify enrollment; USCIS may deny extension or terminate if discovered mid-employment
• Work unrelated to STEM: Student’s employment is in a non-STEM field (e.g., marketing, sales, general business); USCIS may deny extension or terminate authorization if discovered
• Visa status break: Student allowed F-1 status to terminate between initial OPT and STEM OPT extension application; eligibility is lost
• Unemployment or gap in employment: Student is not employed during OPT or has a significant employment gap; while employment is not strictly required to maintain OPT/STEM OPT status, extended unemployment can raise questions about genuine STEM work intent

Recent changes

STEM Designated Degree Program List expansion (2026): DHS added cybersecurity engineering, climate science, and sustainable energy systems to the list effective January 2026, expanding eligible programs.

E-Verify compliance tightened (2024): Department of Homeland Security increased inspections of employers claiming E-Verify enrollment; false or lapsed enrollment is subject to penalties; students should verify employer compliance before accepting positions.

Remote work allowance (2024): USCIS clarified that STEM OPT extension work can be performed remotely (with employer approval) if the employer is E-Verify enrolled and the work is STEM-related; student must maintain U.S.-based address.

Processing time improvement (2023): Average STEM OPT extension processing time reduced from 120+ days to 30–90 days due to automation and service center efficiency improvements.

Concurrent application flexibility (2024): Students can apply for STEM OPT extension on the same day they apply for initial 12-month OPT (if they know they are STEM-eligible), using a single envelope; USCIS will approve initial OPT first, then extension sequentially.

Related visas or statuses

• F-1 Visa: The nonimmigrant student visa; STEM OPT extension is available to F-1 graduates only
• OPT (Optional Practical Training): The 12-month post-completion work authorization on which STEM OPT extension is based
• CPT (Curricular Practical Training): Off-campus training during school; does not count toward STEM OPT eligibility but may reduce initial 12-month OPT if full-time
• E-Verify: The employment verification system employers must use for STEM OPT workers; mandatory enrollment since 2016
• H-1B Visa: Specialty occupation work visa; common transition after STEM OPT extension expires (requires employer sponsorship and subject to annual lottery)
• Employment-based green card (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3): Permanent residency sponsored by employer; EB-2 often used for F-1/STEM OPT workers
• O-1 Visa: Individual ability visa; option for F-1/STEM OPT workers demonstrating extraordinary ability
• Grace period (60 days): Period after program completion to apply for OPT; STEM OPT extension must be applied for within 60 days of initial 12-month OPT completion

Primary sources

• USCIS: STEM OPT Extension
• DHS: STEM Designated Degree Program List
• USCIS: Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
• DHS E-Verify: Employer Resources
• Code of Federal Regulations: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10) (STEM OPT extension)
• Study in the States: STEM OPT Extension

Last updated: 2026-04-18.