STEM OPT Extension: Process, Eligibility, Application & How to Get it

Some F-1 students who have received education in STEM courses can apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). These extensions are granted to those who have a job offer from an employer in the U.S. or a college acceptance letter and the opportunity to stay in the U.S. after they graduate from their STEM degree program.

While OPT USA STEM is an essential aspect for F1 visa holders in USA, it also comes with additional benefits. STEM OPT extension is essential in different terms and allows additional work experience for F1 visa holders in USA after pursuing a STEM education. In this article, we will inform you about the STEM OPT extension and how you can get it if you are studying in the USA across its universities.

What is STEM OPT Extension in USA?

To receive the STEM OPT extension, a student must pursue his practical training through an employer enrolled in USCIS' E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. The STEM extension is a work permit for students in their last year of study and will be moving on to graduate school in a STEM field. The student must have had an F-1 student visa while they studied. They must have been enrolled at a higher education institution, completed coursework equal to at least one year of full-time study, graduated from that institution and received a job offer from the employer.

The STEM OPT extension is 24 months of temporary training related to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field/area. Students with a degree or pending graduation in a qualifying STEM program may be eligible to apply for one of these extensions. This 24-month extension for STEM students is essential to gain more hands on experience. F-1 students (eligible) with STEM degrees who have finished their programs and are on regular OPT, which is 12 months, can apply for a STEM OPT extension visa. A regular work permit given for OPT is for 12 months. If they are eligible for a STEM OPT extension of 24 months, then the total OPT duration is 36 months. Students must stop their employment when they reach the end date mentioned on their EAD card. However, they can remain in the US for a grace period of 60 days.

Also Read

• Study in US: Difference between CPT and OPT
• STEM Education: An Overview

Eligibility for the STEM OPT Extension

To qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension in USA, the candidate must meet the STEM OTP extension requirements listed below:

• I have been granted OPT and am currently in a valid period of OPT.
• Have earned either a bachelor’s, master's or doctoral degree from a school that a U.S. Department of Education accredits recognized accrediting agency and is also certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) when the candidate is submitting his STEM OPT extension application.
• The student's employer from where he is pursuing his STEM OPT extension must be enrolled with USCIS's E-Verify employment eligibility verification program.
• Should work for an employer who meets all the requirements set by the STEM OPT Employer Responsibilities section.

Also read, Eligibility for pursuing STEM abroad.

Applying for STEM OPT Extension

Given below are the documents required to apply for STEM OPT:

• A student must submit Form I-765 up to 90 days before his current OPT employment authorization expires
• Application fee
• Employer's name as listed in E-Verify
• Employer’s E-Verify Company Identification Number or valid E-Verify Client Company Identification Number
• Copy of student's STEM degree
• Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, endorsed by your DSO within the last 60 days.

If the candidate has filed for the STEM OPT extension on time but his OPT period expires, but his extension application is still pending. His employment authorization will be automatically extended for 180 days by USCIS. The automatic 180-day extension is given once USCIS decides on the student’s STEM OPT extension application.

Check out the 08 New Majors Added for STEM OPT Extension in USA for F-1 visa holders. 

After Receiving STEM OPT Extension

Students who received the STEM OPT extension must do the following:

• Report these changes to your DSO within 10 days of the change:

• • Student's legal name
  • Student's residential address
  • Student's email address
  • Student's employer's name
  • Student's employer's address

• STEM OPT students must report to their DSOs every six months even if no information has been changed.

Unemployment during the OPT Period

A student can be unemployed for a limited number of days during his OPT period. However, DHS allows STEM OPT students an additional 60 days of unemployment during the 24-month STEM OPT extension period. Students with regular OPT can stay unemployed for 90 days, however, after getting a 24-month extension they get an additional 60 days of unemployment which makes their total unemployment days to 150.

Cap-Gap Extension

If you are an F-1 student who has filed an H-1B application promptly, and a request for a status change is pending, then you may apply for the H1-B Cap-Gap Extension of your F-1 status. This extension will allow you to lawfully stay in the United States until your H-1B petition is processed.

Students whose H1-B petitions are pending or approved can stay in the US in F-1 status under the H1-B Cap-Gap Extension until the start date of their approved H1-B job period. They can stay in this status even if their OPT authorization or the grace period for F-1 expires before October 1.

STEM OPT Employer Responsibilities

F-1 students can only qualify for the STEM OPT extension if their employer is signing Form I-983, as the employer needs to attest to this form for the F-1 students. The F-1 student STEM extension is available to international students who have been granted a degree in a qualifying field. F-1 students are eligible for this extension if they have been pursuing full-time studies in the United States and can present an employment offer from a qualifying employer. The employer that signs the Training Plan of the F-1 student must be the same entity that employs the student and provides practical training experience to him. STEM OPT applicants can also work for small businesses if they meet regulatory requirements.

The company should be in good standing with E-Verify and must have the resources to fulfil the proposed training plan.