The process at a glance
- 01Day −90
Confirm STEM eligibility
Your I-20 CIP code must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The employer must be E-Verify-enrolled at the worksite you will be at.
- 02Day −60
Draft Form I-983
You and your employer complete the I-983 training plan: goals, supervision, evaluation cadence, prevailing wage attestation. Your DSO reviews and updates SEVIS.
- 03Day −45
Receive STEM I-20
DSO issues a new I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation on page 2. This replaces your standard OPT I-20 in your evidence packet.
- 04Day −30 to −1
File Form I-765
Include I-983 (employer copy), STEM I-20, prior EAD copy, photos, fee. Online filing is preferred. You may keep working under the 180-day rule once USCIS receipts the application.
- 05Every 6 months
Report and evaluate
Validate employment in SEVP Portal at 6, 12, 18, 24 months. Submit a self-evaluation on the I-983 at 12 and 24 months.
Overview
International students on F-1 visas must follow specific rules when seeking employment. This guide provides detailed information about stem-opt-extension-requirements-2026, including eligibility criteria, application timelines, and compliance requirements.
Eligibility and Key Requirements
Meeting eligibility starts with maintaining student status. You must be enrolled full-time with satisfactory academic progress and a clean SEVIS record. Different work options have additional criteria, so review specific requirements before applying.
Application Process and Timelines
Timing is critical for work authorization. USCIS processing currently takes 2-5 months for Form I-765. Premium processing is available for some types. If denied, review the notice, consult with your DSO, and explore refiling or alternatives before your status is affected.
Maintaining Compliance and Reporting
Staying compliant requires attention to reporting requirements. Update address and contact information in your university system and USCIS. For OPT, maintain employment records and report changes immediately. Understanding your specific compliance requirements prevents unintentional violations.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Common pitfalls stem from misunderstanding rules or missing deadlines. Research your authorization type thoroughly, start early, and maintain communication with your DSO. If something is unclear, ask for clarification before proceeding rather than assuming.
STEM OPT is not just "more OPT" — it is a regulated training programme. The I-983 is the contract, not paperwork.
Initial OPT vs STEM OPT extension: eligibility and timing
Initial post-completion OPT grants 12 months of work authorization for any F-1 student who has been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and has not used more than 12 months of full-time CPT. The STEM OPT extension adds 24 months for students who earned a degree in a STEM field from a SEVP-certified school and whose employer is enrolled in E-Verify. The extension must be applied for before the initial OPT expires, and USCIS must receive the I-765 within 60 days of the DSO entering the STEM OPT recommendation into SEVIS. If USCIS has not adjudicated the extension before initial OPT expires, you receive a 180-day automatic extension of work authorization while the application is pending, provided you applied on time. The total allowable unemployment during initial OPT is 90 days; during the STEM extension, an additional 60 days — if you exceed these limits, you accrue unlawful presence.
Form I-983 training plan: what the employer must commit to
The STEM OPT extension requires a completed Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, signed by both the student and the employer. The plan must describe the learning objectives, how they will be achieved, the methods of evaluation, and how the employment relates to the STEM degree. It must also confirm that the employer has sufficient resources to administer the training program and will not use the STEM OPT student to displace a US worker. The I-983 requires the employer’s E-Verify number, the student’s SEVIS ID, and the STEM degree CIP code. The DSO must review and approve the I-983 within 30 days of the student beginning the STEM OPT period. Any material change to the employment — new job duties, new supervisor, new work address, or termination — must be reported to the DSO within 10 days via an updated I-983 or final evaluation. Employers that fail E-Verify compliance or do not report terminations can trigger a site visit from ICE SEVP.
STEM CIP codes: which degrees qualify and how to verify yours
STEM eligibility is determined by the six-digit CIP code assigned to your degree program on your I-20, not by the degree name alone. The DHS maintains a STEM Designated Degree Program List published in the Federal Register. Qualifying CIP code families include Engineering (14.xx), Biological and Biomedical Sciences (26.xx), Mathematics and Statistics (27.xx), Physical Sciences (40.xx), and certain multi/interdisciplinary codes (30.xx). Fields like business analytics (52.1301) are not on the list unless the specific program carries a different STEM CIP code. If your degree’s CIP code is not on the list, you cannot use that degree to qualify for the STEM extension — even if your coursework heavily involved technology or quantitative methods. To verify, check your I-20 “Major 1” line against the current DHS STEM list. If the code is missing from the list, a STEM extension is not available for that degree, but a subsequent STEM degree from the same or a different school could open the path.
Reporting obligations: employer changes, address updates, and site visits
During the STEM OPT period, you must report to your DSO within 10 days of: (1) any change of employer or loss of employment; (2) any material change to your I-983 training plan (duties, supervisor, work site); (3) any change of personal name or residential address — the address update alone can be done via the SEVP Portal. Every six months, you must confirm your name, address, employer information, and any periods of unemployment with your DSO. If you switch employers, the new employer must also be E-Verify enrolled and a new I-983 must be submitted. DSOs are permitted to conduct in-person site visits to ensure compliance. Unannounced ICE SEVP site visits may also occur. Failure to report changes on time can result in termination of SEVIS records, loss of work authorization, and accrual of unlawful presence from the date of violation.
Flashcards
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What you learned
End-of-guide quiz
3 questions
- 01
Your standard OPT EAD expires 30 June. When is the LATEST you can file the STEM I-765 and stay continuously work-authorised?
- 02
Which arrangement is BANNED on STEM OPT?
- 03
You change jobs on STEM OPT. What three things must happen within 10 days?
0 / 3 answered
Official sources
Verify rules, fees, and forms on first-party government sites. This guide is educational and not a substitute for your DSO, solicitor, or licensed adviser.
Procedural deep-dives
For statutes, forms, deadlines, and evidence standards, use these legal owners on MyCaseworks.
- US student visas hub
F-1, CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT procedural guides in one place.
- F-1 document checklist 2026
What to assemble for I-20, DS-160, and the consular interview.
- OPT & STEM OPT complete guide
Post-completion work authorisation after you graduate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enroll in classes while on OPT?+
Yes, but OPT is for employment, not study. Returning to full-time study may require transferring to a new school and obtaining a new I-20.
What are STEM OPT reporting requirements?+
Submit self-evaluations every 6 months, report employment changes within 10 days, and complete a final evaluation at the end of STEM OPT.
Can my employer sponsor my green card on OPT?+
Yes, an employer can sponsor you while on OPT. This is a separate process with different eligibility requirements and timelines.
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