STEM OPT Extension Explained

What is the STEM OPT Extension?

The STEM OPT extension grants an additional 24 months of work authorization beyond the standard 12-month post-completion OPT period. This means eligible students can work in the U.S. for up to 36 months total on OPT after completing their degree.

The extension was expanded from 17 months to 24 months by a 2016 DHS final rule and is codified in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Source: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C) — STEM OPT extension regulations

Eligibility Requirements

Not every OPT holder qualifies for the STEM extension. You must meet requirements related to both your degree and your employer.

• Your degree must be in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, identified by a qualifying CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code.
• You must currently be on a valid period of post-completion OPT.
• Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, the federal electronic employment verification system.
• You must have a bona fide employer-employee relationship (self-employment does not qualify).
• You and your employer must complete and sign Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students.

CIP Codes and the STEM Designated Degree List

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code is a six-digit code assigned to every academic program by the National Center for Education Statistics. DHS maintains a list of CIP codes that qualify as STEM for purposes of the OPT extension.

Source: DHS STEM-Eligible CIP Codes — Official list of STEM-designated degree programs

• Your CIP code is printed on your I-20 form in the "Major" field.
• Common qualifying CIP families include: 11.xxxx (Computer and Information Sciences), 14.xxxx (Engineering), 26.xxxx (Biological Sciences), and 27.xxxx (Mathematics and Statistics).
• The STEM list is updated periodically. DHS added over 20 new qualifying fields in 2022, including data science, climate science, and related interdisciplinary fields.

Form I-983 Training Plan

The Form I-983 is a training plan that documents how your STEM OPT employment will provide practical training in your STEM field. Both you and your employer must complete and sign it before you can apply for the extension.

1. Section 1: Student Information (completed by you).
2. Section 2: Employer Information, including E-Verify Company ID (completed by employer).
3. Section 3: Description of how your STEM degree knowledge will be applied in the position.
4. Section 4: Learning goals and oversight plan, including supervisory structure.
5. Section 5: Employer attestation regarding working conditions and compensation comparable to U.S. workers in similar roles.

When and How to Apply

You can file your STEM OPT extension application (Form I-765) up to 90 days before your current OPT period expires. Your DSO must recommend the extension and issue an updated I-20 before you file with USCIS.

1. Obtain a completed Form I-983 signed by you and your employer.
2. Submit the I-983 to your DSO for review.
3. Your DSO recommends the STEM extension in SEVIS and issues an updated I-20.
4. File Form I-765 with USCIS, along with supporting documents and the filing fee.
5. If your current OPT expires while your STEM extension is pending, you receive an automatic 180-day work authorization extension while USCIS adjudicates your application.

STEM OPT Topics in Detail

STEM OPT has several areas that require careful attention. The following dedicated guides cover each topic in depth.

• Form I-983 training plan: what the training plan requires, who completes each section, the DSO submission process, and annual evaluations at the 12-month mark and end of the extension.
• Employer requirements: E-Verify enrollment, the I-983 training plan obligation, annual evaluations, termination reporting within 5 business days, and USCIS site visits.
• Unemployment days: how the 150-day total works across initial OPT and STEM OPT, which days count, and what happens when you reach the limit.
• Premium processing: how to file Form I-907 for 15-business-day processing on the STEM OPT I-765 application, and how it interacts with the 180-day automatic extension.