24-Month STEM OPT Extension

Overview

STEM OPT allows F-1 students who have earned a qualifying STEM degree to extend their active OPT period for up to 24 months. 

STEM OPT Application Process at a Glance

To obtain STEM OPT, students must first request a new I-20 with STEM OPT Recommendation from the International Student Services (ISS) office and then submit a new request for work authorization to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is not possible to apply for the STEM extension after your OPT has expired, therefore, your recommendation request must be submitted to ISS at least 7-10 business days in advance of your OPT expiration date.

Once the STEM OPT is approved, you will receive a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) which will allow up to 24 months of work authorization. While on active STEM OPT, you are still considered to be in F-1 “status” and must report any updates to your employment or US residential address within 10 days of the change. While on STEM OPT, you are also required to submit a participation report every 6 months (even if nothing has changed). More information on the application process and reporting obligations are discussed below.

Eligibility
Employment Requirements (STEM OPT)
Employer Requirements
Unemployment
Application Process
Reporting Requirements
Travel & STEM OPT
After STEM OPT Expires
FAQs

Eligibility

To qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, you must:

• Have a qualifying degree: You must have a STEM-qualifying bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an accredited SEVIS-certified U.S. educational institution (such as the University of Memphis). You may only request the STEM extension once per qualifying degree and you may have no more than 2 periods of STEM OPT in your lifetime. See Eligibility for a Second Period of STEM for more information.
• Have a qualifying job: Your employment must be paid, relevant to your degree, and at least 20 hours per week.
• Have a qualifying employer: Your employer must be enrolled in USCIS's E-Verify employment eligibility verification program and be able to provide you with formal training and learning objectives.
• Have a complete form I-983 Training Plan: You and the employer must complete a Form I-983 Training Plan and you must submit it to the ISS office before a STEM OPT recommendation can be made.
• Be maintaining status while on post-completion OPT: This is done by timely reporting changes to your employment and/or US residential address and accumulating no more than 90 days of unemployment.
• File before your OPT expires: USCIS must receive your STEM OPT application before the expiration of your current post-completion OPT (standard post-completion or cap-gap), and no later than 60 days from the date the ISS issued your new I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation.

How to determine if your degree qualifies for the STEM OPT extension

1. Find your CIP (major) code on your I-20. This is located on page 1 under the Program of Study section.
   
2. Search for your CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Programs List. If you do not see your Major code listed, you are most likely not eligible for the STEM extension. If you believe your major code is incorrect, please contact the ISS office for guidance at TheWorld@memphis.edu. Changes to a program’s CIP code cannot be made on an individual basis. 

STEM OPT based on a previous (prior) degree

You may base your STEM OPT extension on a qualifying STEM degree earned previously (even if it was not earned at the University of Memphis) as long as the previous degree:

• Was conferred by an accredited, SEVP-certified US educational institution. The school must be accredited and SEVP-certified at the time ISS recommends STEM OPT.
• Was conferred no more than 10 years before ISS recommends the STEM OPT extension.
• Is relevant to your STEM OPT employment.

For example:

• You received a BS in Chemistry
• You then complete an MBA
• You receive 12 months of post-completion OPT on the basis of the MBA
• While on the 12 months of OPT from the MBA, you could then apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension based on the prior BS in Chemistry, as long as the STEM OPT qualifying job is directly related to chemistry.

Eligibility for a second period of STEM OPT at a higher degree level

If you complete another qualifying STEM degree at a higher education level, you may apply for a second 24-month STEM OPT extension while on active post-completion OPT. A student may be authorized for no more than 2 STEM OPT extensions in their lifetime. 

For example: 

• You receive a BS in Mathematics
• You obtain 12 months of standard post-completion OPT on the basis of that BS degree
• You obtain the first STEM OPT extension on the basis of that BS degree
• You receive a MS in Physics
• You obtain 12 months of standard post-completion OPT of that MS degree
• You obtain a second STEM OPT extension on the basis of that MS degree
• You receive a Ph.D. in Astronomy
• You obtain 12 months of standard post-completion OPT on the basis of that Ph.D. degree.
• You are no longer eligible for a STEM OPT extension, having already exhausted the limit of two lifetime STEM OPT extensions

Employment Requirements (STEM OPT)

Employment on STEM OPT must adhere to the following standards:

• Relevancy: Employment must be directly related to the degree that qualifies you for the STEM OPT extension. You and your STEM OPT employer will be required to describe the direct relationship between the STEM OPT position and your qualifying STEM degree on the I-983 Training Plan.
• Payment: Your STEM OPT employment must be paid and the payment must be commensurate with the pay of a US citizen with the same credentials in a similar position.
• Hours per week: You must work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
• Location: You may engage in STEM OPT for any US employer for the duration of the STEM OPT authorization as long as the employment meets all standards mentioned above.
• Bona fide employer – employee relationship: the employer must have and maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship and attest to this fact by signing the I-983 Training Plan. Volunteer positions and self-employment do not qualify for STEM OPT.

Employer Requirements

To be eligible for a STEM OPT extension, the employer offering the job that serves as the basis for the STEM OPT extension must:

• Be enrolled in E-Verify and remain a participant in good standing, as determined by USCIS.
• Have an employer identification number (EIN) used for tax purposes.
• Agree to the employer responsibilities of completing and signing form I-983 Training Plan

In addition to the above, STEM OPT employers must also:

• Provide payment that is commensurate with the pay of a US citizen with the same credentials in a similar position.
• Review and sign-off on changes to the I-983 Training Plan. (e.g. change in location, company name, compensation, etc.).
• Review and sign-off on two student self-evaluations.
• Notify ISS if your employment is terminated for any reason before the end of your STEM OPT period. This report must occur within 5 business days of the end of employment and can be sent to TheWorld@memphis.edu.
• Agree to site visits by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). STEM OPT regulations authorize DHS to visit employers who have hired STEM OPT students to ensure that program requirements are being met and that the employer possesses and maintains the ability and resources to provide a structured and guided work-based learning experience consistent with the training plan. DHS will generally provide a 48-hour notice to the employer before conducting a site visit.

Other Employment Considerations

• Multiple Employers: If you will work in multiple positions while on STEM OPT, you must work a minimum of 20 hours per week per employer and each employer must complete an I-983 Training Plan.
• Self-Employment and Business Start-Ups: Because there must be a bona-fide employer-employee relationship, you are not permitted to sign the I-983 as your own employer. However, you may participate in start-ups or entrepreneurships as long as all of the STEM OPT regulatory requirements are met.
• STEM OPT and third-party placements: you may be employed by a staffing and temping agency but only if they will be the entity that provides the practical training experience (i.e. signing the I-983) and they maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with you. For more information, see this USCIS Guidance.
• Remote or “Off-Site” Employment: Remote and off-site employment is permissible as long as the physical location of the employment is listed on Form I-983, the training obligations are met and the employer continues to maintain an employer-employee relationship.

I-983 Training Plan

Federal regulations require each STEM OPT student to prepare and execute with his or her prospective employer a formal training plan that identifies learning objectives and a plan for achieving those objectives. You and your employer must work together to finalize the plan.

• You may access the I-983 Training plan at https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/i983.pdf. Make sure to double check the expiration date in the upper right hand corner!
• Guidance on how to complete form I-983 can be found here:
  • Student Guidance
  • Employer Guidance
• Form I-983 must be signed by someone at your employer who is familiar with your training plan and who has the signatory authority for the employer. In many cases, this would be your direct supervisor.
• You must submit a completed and signed I-983 Training Plan to the ISS office before receiving your new I-20 with the STEM OPT Recommendation. See Application Process.
• If you will hold multiple positions while on STEM OPT, you must submit a completed I-983 for each employer.
• If any material changes to the I-983 occur, you must submit an updated form to the ISS office within 10 days of the change. See Reporting Requirements while on STEM OPT.
• You do not need to submit Form I-983 to USCIS unless explicitly asked for it. ISS will retain a copy of your I-983.

Unemployment

During your 24 month STEM extension, you are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment. This is in addition to the 90 days of unemployment allowed while on standard OPT. This means, you may accumulate a maximum of 150 days of unemployment throughout your period of standard OPT and STEM OPT, however, you should use no more than 90 days of unemployment during your initial 12 months of OPT.

Application Process

Application Timeline

USCIS will accept your STEM OPT application up to 90 days* before your OPT expires but no later than your OPT expiration date.

Application Timeline Illustration

*CAP-GAP Extension: If your post-completion OPT and F-1 status has been extended as a result of a timely filed H-1B petition, you may apply during your CAP-GAP extension period. However, you may not apply once the CAP-GAP extension period has been terminated (i.e. the H-1B petition is rejected, denied, revoked, or withdrawn). Reach out to the ISS office if you have any questions regarding the CAP-GAP and your STEM application timeline.

STEM OPT Start and End Date

The STEM OPT start-date must be the day following your current post-completion OPT end-date. The STEM OPT end-date will be 24 months after the start-date.

• Your STEM OPT employment dates do not need to align exactly with your STEM OPT authorization dates. However, please keep in mind that you are allowed no more than 150 days of unemployment while on STEM OPT.
• You may work up to 180 days beyond your standard OPT expiration date as long as you are working for a qualifying STEM employer.

STEP 1: Obtain a new I-20 with STEM OPT Recommendation from the International Student Services Office.

Note: Submission of your STEM OPT application to USCIS without the STEM OPT Recommendation from ISS will result in denial of your application, loss of $410, and possible loss of your STEM OPT benefit. Therefore, it is crucial that you complete STEP 1 before submitting your documents to USCIS.

The STEM OPT Recommendation is an entry made on your SEVIS record by the ISS office which results in a new I-20 (“STEM OPT I-20”) that you must use to request STEM OPT authorization from USCIS. 

You may request your I-20 with STEM OPT Recommendation by submitting this STEM Extension form (allow 7-10 days for ISS processing). 

This form will require:

• Your STEM OPT Start Date (this must be the day after your OPT expires)
• Your STEM OPT End Date ( 24 months after your STEM OPT Start Date)
• A copy of your completed and signed I-983 form
• A screenshot of your employment information from the SEVP Portal.

STEP 2: Assemble Documents

Once you’ve printed / signed your new I-20 with STEM OPT Recommendation, you should assemble the following documents:

STEP 3: File your application online or by paper

Online I-765 Guidance

The information below serves as a general guide to completing your I-765. Please note that this guide does not constitute legal advice.

Basis of Eligibility

• (c)(3)(C) STEM Extension
  • Select this option if you are currently on valid post-completion OPT and eligible to apply for STEM extension based on your degree

• What is your degree?
  • List your degree name and CIP code. (i.e. Masters, Physical Sciences, General, 40.0101)
• What is your employer’s name as listed in E-verify?
  • List your employer name as it appears in E-verify.
• What is your employer’s E-verify company identification number or a valid E-verify client company identification number?
  • An employer’s EIN and E-verify numbers are not the same.

Reason for Applying?

• What is your reason for applying?
  • Select “Initial permission to accept employment”
• Have you previously filed Form I-765?
  • If you have previously filed an I-765, select “Yes”

Preparer and Interpreter Information

• Is someone assisting you with completing this application?
  • Select “No”

Your Name

• What is your current legal name?
  • Enter your name as it appears on your Form I-20
• Have you used any other name since birth?
  • If “Yes”, provide the other names you have used. If “No”, continue to the next section.

Your Contact Information

• How may we contact you?
  • Enter your daytime telephone number, mobile number, and email address
• What is your current U.S. mailing address?
  • This is where your EAD will be sent. You must enter an address that will be valid for the next 4-5 months. If your address will change, you can ask a friend, relative or employer if you can add their name and US address. EADs will not be sent to an address outside of the US. If you use a friend, relative, or employer’s address, you must write their full name in the “In Care of Name (if any)” field.
• Is your current mailing address the same as your physical address?
  • Select “Yes” or “No”

Describe Yourself

• What is your gender?
  • Select the gender as reflected on your passport
• What is your marital status?
  • Select your current marital status

When and Where Were You Born?

• What is your city, town, or village of birth?
  • Complete the information as is listed on your passport/birth certificate
• What is your state or province of birth?
  • Complete the information as is listed on your passport/birth certificate (if it applies to you)
• What is your country of birth?
  • Complete the information as listed on your passport/birth certificate
• What is your date of birth?
  • Insert your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

Your Immigration Information

• What is your country of citizenship or nationality?
  • Insert the name of your country of citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships or nationalities, select “add country” to ensure all countries of citizenships or nationalities are reflected.
• What is your Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number (if any)?
  • Your I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number can be retrieved here
• When did you last arrive in the United States?
  • List your arrival date, place of arrival, and status at arrival. Refer to your most recent I-94 for this information
• What is the passport number of your most recently issued passport?
  • Please refer to the biographical page of your passport 
• What is your travel document number (if any)?
  • Note: most F-1 students would not have a travel document separate from their passport
• What is the expiration date of your passport or travel document?
  • Please refer to the biographical page of your passport
• What country issued your passport or travel document?
  • Please refer to the biographical page of your passport
• What is your current immigration status or category?
  • Select “F1 – Student, Academic or Language Program”
• What is your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Number (if any)?
  • Your SEVIS number can be found on the upper left-hand side of your most recent I-20

Other Information

• What is your A-Number?
  • Your A number is the “USCIS #” listed on your previous EAD card.
• What is your USCIS Online Account Number (if any)?
  • You can list your USCIS Online Account Number (if you have one) or select “I do not have or know my USCIS online Account Number.”
• Has the Social Security Administration (SSA) ever officially issued a Social Security Card to you?
  • If you have a Social Security Number, select “Yes”, and enter your Social Security Number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, select “No”. You will then be asked if you want the SSA to issue you a Social Security Card to which your response will be “Yes”. You will need to agree to the “Consent for Disclosure” and provide your father’s and mother’s birth names (first and last names at birth).

After Applying

Receipt Number: After your application is successfully submitted online, you will receive a receipt number immediately. You can check the status of your application by entering this receipt number on the USCIS Case Status Page or by logging into your USCIS account.

Contact ISS if you:

• change jobs while the STEM OPT application is pending.
• are unable to submit your STEM OPT application within 60 days of the STEM OPT recommendation on your I-20.
• receive an RFE or rejection.

STEM OPT Processing Time: Currently, USCIS may take between 2-3 months (from the receipt date) to process your STEM OPT application. Once your application is approved, you will receive a new EAD at the address listed on your I-765.

Employment while STEM OPT is Pending for 180 days: A student who has timely filed an application for a 24-month STEM OPT extension with USCIS may work for the STEM OPT employer while the STEM extension application is pending, for up to 180 days beyond the expiration of their prior post-completion OPT EAD. 

• If the application is still pending more than 180 days beyond your standard OPT or CAP-GAP OPT, you must stop working.
• Time spent during the 180-day period counts towards the 24-month extension. Therefore, any employment that takes place within the 180-day interim extension period must conform to all 24-month STEM OPT conditions (e.g. unemployment limitations, paid employment with an E-Verified employer, etc.).

Reporting Requirements

During your period of STEM OPT, your reporting requirements include:

1. Completion of a STEM OPT Extension form every 6 months to validate your STEM employment, even if there are no changes to report.
2. Completion of a self-evaluation (page 5 of form I-983) at the mid-point and conclusion of each STEM employment opportunity.
   
   Example: John’s STEM OPT begins on January 1st, 2023.
   John’s 1st STEM OPT report is due by June 1st, 2023 (even if no changes have occurred).
   John’s 2nd report is due by January 1st, 2024 and requires the mid-point evaluation.
   John’s 3rd report is due by June 1st, 2024 (even if no changes have occurred).
   John’s 4th report is due by January 1st, 2025 and requires the final evaluation.
   
   
3. Submission of a new Form I-983, signed by your employer, if there are any changes to the original training plan or if you begin a new position. ISS must receive your new training plan prior to any changes. Changes may include but are not limited to:
   1. Employer name and address
   2. Decrease in compensation
   3. Reduction in hours (if you are working less than 20 hours a week)
   4. Employer’s EIN
   5. Termination of employment
      
      
4. Report any changes to your name, US residential address, or employment (including interruptions to employment) within 10 days of the change. Failure to report these changes within the appropriate time frame can have negative consequences on your immigration record.

Reminder: Unemployment days are automatically counted in SEVIS and are based on your employment reporting. Each day without employment information (including weekends) will count as a day of unemployment. 

Important!

Students who fail to report employment (even when employed) will appear unemployed in SEVIS until an employment report is made. If you accrue more than 150 days of unemployment in SEVIS, your F-1 record and STEM OPT may be terminated by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). 

Reporting Procedures

SEVP Portal (US Residential Address and Contact information)

The SEVP Portal is an online tool that allows F-1 students on STEM OPT to report changes in US residential address and contact information. See SEVP Portal Help for more detail. The SEVP Portal CANNOT be used to report changes in STEM employment, 6-month participation, or submit Form I-983. This must be done through the ISS STEM Extension update form. 

STEM OPT Update Form (6 month validations, evaluations, changes to employment and other items)

Report your 6 month participation by submitting our STEM Extension update form.

Other Changes

Changes to your name, citizenship, immigration status, or early departure can be reported directly to ISS by email to theworld@memphis.edu.

• If you change your immigration status, provide evidence (e.g. approval notice, I-94 card, entry stamp, green card) of the new status to ISS so that we can update your SEVIS record accordingly.
• If you decide to end your period of OPT early, please provide documentation of your departure so ISS can update your SEVIS record accordingly.

Travel & STEM OPT

While on STEM OPT you are still considered to be in F-1 status and sponsored by the University of Memphis. Therefore, any international travel will remain subject to the F-1 regulations.

Other Travel Considerations

• It is NOT advisable to enter the US under a tourist status such as ESTA or B1/B2 while the STEM OPT is pending or approved. Doing so is considered a change of status which will likely result in rejection of your STEM OPT application (if pending) or termination of your active F-1 Status / OPT authorization. 
• If you file by paper, all USCIS correspondence, including any Request for Evidence (RFE), will be delivered to the mailing address listed on the I-765. If you are outside of the US and unable to receive it, it may be difficult to resolve the RFE in a timely manner.

After STEM OPT Expires

F-1 students are entitled to a 60-day grace period following the expiration of their STEM OPT as long as they do not accumulate 150 days of unemployment.

During this period you may:

• Prepare for departure
• Travel within the United States
• Request a Change of Education Level (if admitted to a new program at the University of Memphis)
• Request a transfer of your F-1 record to another SEVP certified school
• Apply for a Change of Status to another visa status (if eligible)

Other items to note:

• If you depart the US before the end of your grace period, the rest of the grace period will be forfeit.
• During this period you may NOT engage in employment or study.
• If you fail to depart during your grace period, this could adversely impact your ability to re-enter the US under a different nonimmigrant or immigrant classification in the future.
• SEVP account Closure Six Months After OPT Authorization Ends: The SEVP Portal remains available to students for 6 months after their OPT ends. Prior to their portal account closure, students should log in to their portal account to print or save a copy of their portal record for future reference.

FAQs

When can I apply for the STEM OPT extension?
USCIS will accept your STEM OPT application up to 90 days before your current post-completion OPT expires but no later than your OPT expiration date.

Can I expedite my STEM OPT application with USCIS?
No. USCIS does not expedite STEM OPT applications.

How long will it take to receive the EAD?
USCIS generally approves STEM OPT within 2-3 months. Once the application is approved, it can take a few weeks for the card to be produced and delivered. USCIS will provide a tracking number once the card has been placed in the mail.

Can I work past the expiration date of my current post-completion OPT authorization?
Yes, as long as you timely filed the STEM OPT extension application you may work for a qualifying STEM employer for up to 180 days past the expiration of your current post-completion OPT authorization.

Do I still need the F-1 visa while I am on STEM OPT?
Yes. While on STEM OPT you are still considered to be in F-1 status and therefore need a valid F-1 visa to enter the US.

What does my employer need to do for me to apply for the STEM OPT extension?
The employer must review and sign the I-983 Training Plan and provide you with their Employer Identification Number (EIN) and E-Verify number.

What if I need to make changes to the I-983 Training Plan?
Make the appropriate changes to the form I-983 with your employer. You and your employer must sign the I-983. Submit the new I-983 to ISS using the STEM Extension form.

Can I change jobs while on STEM OPT?
Yes. The new employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a new I-983 Training Plan. Notify ISS about a change in employer on STEM OPT by submitting the new I-983 using the STEM Extension form.

Can I be self-employed while on STEM OPT?
No. The employer must have and maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship. 

What if I want to go back to school during my STEM OPT?
STEM OPT allows part-time study, however if you wish to begin a full-time program, you must end your STEM OPT early and obtain a new I-20. Once the I-20 for the new program is issued, any remaining STEM OPT will be forfeit.

What happens if I exceed 150 days of unemployment?
If you accrue more than 150 days of unemployment, you must take one of the following actions to avoid violating your F-1 status:

• Depart the US immediately
• Gain admission into a new program at an SEVP-certified school and request a SEVIS transfer or Change of Education Level from the ISS office.
• Take action to otherwise maintain legal status (i.e. apply for a change of status with USCIS)

What happens when my STEM OPT expires?
As long as you haven’t accumulated 150 days of unemployment, you are entitled to a 60-day grace period which begins the day after your STEM OPT expires.

During this period you may:

• Prepare for departure
• Travel within the US
• Request a Change of Education Level (if admitted to a new program at the University of Memphis)
• Request a transfer of your F-1 record to another SEVP certified school
• Apply for a Change of Status to another visa status (if eligible)
  
  

Can I extend STEM OPT past 24 months?
No. The maximum time allowed on the STEM OPT extension is 24 months. If you complete another qualifying STEM degree at a higher education level, you may apply for a second 24-month STEM OPT extension while on active post-completion OPT. A student may be authorized for no more than 2 STEM OPT extensions in their lifetime.