STEM Extension

Who qualifies for the STEM OPT extension?

•  Students with a FULL major in one of the following eighteen (18) F&M majors:

  • • • Astrophysics

      • BFB: Animal Behavior 

      • BFB: Neuroscience

      • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

      • Biology

      • Chemistry

      • Cognitive Science

      • Computational Physics

      • Computer Science

      • Data Science (effective Fall 2023)

      • Earth & Environmental Science (effective Fall 2023)

      • Environmental Science 

      • Environmental Studies

      • Geosciences

      • Mathematics

      • Moral Psychology

      • Physics 

      • Psychology (your I-20 will call it "Behavioral Studies")

• And, their employer will be using E-Verify,

• And, their work is paid, 

… will qualify to apply for the STEM extension towards the end of your first year on OPT.  These 18 F&M majors are STEM-designated by the US Dept. of Education based on the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) and the specifics of the F&M curriculum. 

When do I apply for STEM OPT?

You will apply for STEM OPT about 90 days before your one-year OPT end date.  The process is similar to the one-year OPT application and you will still work with ISS.  The biggest difference is that you will need to complete an I-983 Training Plan with your employer.  This is submitted to Dean Haile and she will upload it into SEVIS for you.  See the STEM OPT instructions page for more details. 

How do I apply?

See the section below for detailed instructions.  It is similar to the one-year OPT application, but this time you will include the I-983 Training Plan (only sent to Dean Haile) and a F&M Transcript that shows your STEM-qualifying major.  It will cost another filing fee of $410 (applicants before April 1, 2024) or $470 for applicants starting April 1, 2024.

Do I need a valid F-1 visa to apply for OPT?

No, the F-1 visa in your passport can be expired.  The visa only serves as an entry document.  What is important is that you have an active SEVIS record and have been maintaining status. 

When should I discuss the STEM extension with my employer?

We suggest discussing it as early as possible.  The possibility of retaining you as an employee for more than one-year could be very appealing to some employers! This also makes sure that they would be an eligible employer (using E-Verify) before you find that out too late to switch jobs for the STEM extension. 

The STEM extension also gives employers the ability to have multiple attempts at the H1B lottery for their employees without losing them.  While its not a guarantee that employers will want to sponsor, the extension allows them the ability to keep employing you and keep trying. 

Do I have to have the same employer for OPT and STEM OPT? 

You can have multiple employers throughout your time on OPT and STEM OPT.  If you want to change employers at the end of OPT and the beginning of STEM OPT, you need to have your employer identified and be working with them on the I-983 Training Plan before applying.  USCIS needs to see that the employer you will work with after your one year of OPT meets the requirements of STEM OPT (E-Verify, etc). 

What is the I-983 Training Plan?

The I-983 is a formal training plan for STEM OPT students which must clearly articulate the STEM OPT student's learning objectives and affirm the employer's commitment to helping the student achieve those objectives. Students and their employers must complete and sign Form I-983 and submit it to the ISS office.

This is the only part of the STEM OPT application that doesn't get submitted to USCIS.  It only goes to ISS and we will upload it into SEVIS for you.

You can find the form here.   

Can I change employers while on STEM?

Yes. However, if you switch employers while on STEM OPT, you must verify that their business also meets the requirements of STEM (E-Verify, paying you for your work, I-983 Training Plan completed).  You will need to submit a new I-983 Training Plan to Dean Haile, but you do not need to reapply for STEM OPT with USCIS.  Dean Haile will update your SEVIS record to reflect your new employer. 

What are my reporting requirements while on STEM OPT?

Much like on your one-year OPT, you need to make sure that your home address and employer information is up to date at all times.  Report changes within 10 days of them happening.  If you stop working, please let us know. 

Additionally, there are other benchmarks of reporting that you must follow (ISS needs to make remarks in SEVIS of these check-ins):

• 6 and 18 months of STEM OPT:  Check in with ISS to confirm your home address and employer details

• 12 and 24 months of STEM OPT: Complete the appropriate section of page 5 of the I-983 Training Plan's Self Evaluation and submit to ISS.  Additionally, please confirm your home address and employer details haven't changed.  

If you are planning to apply for the OPT STEM extension (applicable majors only):

You can apply up to 90 days before your 1-year OPT authorization ends.  Ensure that your employer uses E-Verify.  Employer enrollment in E-Verify is required in order to continue working for this employer while on the STEM extension.   

Your employer must also be paying you for your work at this time.

To apply:

1. Read the step-by-step guide for the online application HERE. The online application is very similar to when you applied for your one-year of OPT but with additional uploads.  

2. Next, you and your supervisor (together), should fill out the I-983 Training Plan (pages 1-4).  

   • 1. • View a guide for filling out the form here.

3. Then, send the completed I-983, pages 1-4 to Dean Haile.  This will be your signal to us that you are applying for STEM-OPT and that we should issue you the "STEM-recommended" I-20.  

4. You will need this I-20 to uoload into your online STEM application before submitting to USCIS.

• You do not need to have a formal application meeting with ISS.  However, if you do have questions or want to go through your answers to the online application, feel free to be in touch and we can schedule a time to meet. 

• You must submit the STEM application by the end of your 1-year of OPT.  Don’t wait until the last minute to get the I-20 from Dean Haile! 

• It's okay if processing of your STEM application extends beyond your 1-year of OPT.  You can work for up to 180 days past the end of your one-year of OPT while your STEM application is processed - though, it rarely takes that long to be approved.

• Once your STEM OPT EAD card has arrived, please send a picture of it to Dean Haile for your file.