24-months STEM OPT Extension - International Students and Scholars

24-MONTH STEM OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING EXTENSION

Definition, purpose, and A Guide to Applying for STEM OPT

The 24-month STEM OPT Extension allows F-1 students currently on post-completion OPT, who hold a U.S. degree in a designated STEM field, to apply for an additional 24 months of work authorization.

STEM OPT is only available to students who are:

you must Have a US accredited degree in a designated STEM field.

Have a paid job offer that meets the following requirements:

Employer enrolled in the USCIS E-Verify program.
Job offers at least 20 hours of work per week.
Job is a paid position.

Be able to complete the I-983 Training Plan with your employer

For more information on STEM OPT eligibility, visit Study in the States. Learn the application process and find helpful resources regarding the STEM OPT extension at the Study in the States STEM OPT Hub. The Hub provides valuable information for both F–1 students and employers.

You cannot apply once your 12-month OPT expires or during the 60-day grace period.
We recommend you begin reviewing the application process and collecting documents four months before your current period of OPT ends. You may apply for STEM OPT up to 90 days before current OPT expires.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR OPT STEM EXTENSION – Follow the steps below:

STEP 1: Determine if you are eligible for the STEM OPT extension and ensure you have been maintaining F-1 status

Check if your degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List.
Your job must be directly related to your STEM degree and meet DHS training requirements.

Instructions for F-1 status students to help determine STEM OPT extension eligibility.

DHS-Approved STEM Designated Degree Program List DHS Information on the E-Verify program

To ensure you have been maintaining F-1 status, confirm that your 12-month OPT information up-to-date by checking the Student and Exchange Visitor Program – the SEVP Portal. If anything is out of date please update the SEVP portal . You can find more information on OPT reporting by visiting the SEVP Portal OPT Reporting page.

STEP 2: Prepare the following documents to submit the OPT Request Form

Upload All Required Documents via the OPT Request Form:

All required documents for the STEM OPT extension must be uploaded directly through the OPT Request Form. Do not email your documents. Submit your application here: ISS Virtual Office Assistant – OPT Request Form

You will be prompted to upload:

A draft of your completed Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)
- Follow this step-by-step guide for completing and saving the I-765
- For STEM, select eligibility category C(3)(C)
Completed and signed Form I-983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT Students) with your employer
- Form I-983: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/i983.pdf
- Our SEVIS School Code is NYC214F00812015
- Your CIP code can be found in the “Program of Study” section on your I-20 under “Major 1” or “Major 2”.
- Copy of your current OPT EAD card
  - Copy of your diploma (must show a U.S. degree in a STEM-designated field). Check eligibility here: https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/stem-list.pdf OPT
- OPT Request Form and hand-signed Disclaimer Form (submitted through the same form platform). This form is not submitted to USCIS but used by ISSO to recommend STEM OPT in SEVIS and issue a new I-20.
  
  For further guidance, refer to the full Request Forms Instructions on our website.
  
  General Information:
  - You must attend the mandatory OPT workshop via Zoom prior to submitting your OPT request. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqdu2urjMpGdRqCUmhVODzIAul0DAuQr9H
  After OPT Approval:
  - Upon receiving your EAD card, report employment within 10 days via the SEVP portal: https://sevp.ice.gov/opt/#/login
  Allow up to 10 business days for processing. Missing documents will delay issuance of your I-20. For inquiries, contact iss@qc.cuny.edu if no response within 10 days.

STEP 3: Obtain the DSO’s STEM OPT Extension Recommendation and an Updated Form I-20.

Our office‘s main role in the STEM OPT extension application process is to certify that the Form I–983 Training Plan is complete and signed, to recommend the STEM OPT extension in the SEVIS system, and to issue an updated Form I–20 with the STEM OPT extension request. You must wait for this I-20 before you can complete your STEM OPT extension (I-765 Form) online.

STEP 4: Gather documents and complete your online application.

Once you receive your new OPT STEM I-20, you can complete your online I-765 application to USCIS.

If you haven’t done so already, gather and scan the following documents for upload:

Gather and scan the following information on your PC

JPG, JPEG, or PNG of 2 inch by 2-inch passport style photo
PDF of your most recent I-94
PDF Your passport and
PDF copy of all previous EADs (I-766).
PDFs of all previously CPT or OPT endorsed I-20s
PDF of Post-OPT endorsed I-20- This is the new OPTSTEM -recommended I-20
Your Graduate Center
Fee Payment

Organize and complete Your On- Line Application.

Review all of the information you have provided so far, and then click to submit your I- 765 online application.

Before you submit, review the full STEM OPT step-by-step instructions again to make sure your application is complete and correct: STEM OPT step-by-step instructions

Use your existing USCIS online account to complete the I-765 application.
Review all information carefully before submitting.
Use eligibility category C(3)(C) for STEM OPT.

📌 Important Notes:

Do not send the I-983 to USCIS. ISSO keeps it on file.
USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of your new I-20 issuance.
It must also be submitted before your current OPT EAD expires.
You cannot submit your application more than 90 days before your current OPT end date.
If you move while your STEM OPT is pending, notify ISSO so we can update your SEVIS record—your EAD card may not be forwarded if your address is outdated.

After Submitting Application to USCIS

ou will receive a paper Receipt Notice from USCIS within 2–4 weeks. It will include your case number and the date your application was received. Use this number to track your case status at www.uscis.gov.
Verify that your name and mailing address are correct on the receipt.
Once your case is approved, wait a few days for your EAD card to arrive by mail.
USCIS processing time is usually 60–120 days. Apply early. Visit the USCIS Processing Times site for updates.
If your case is pending beyond the normal processing time, contact ISSO and submit a case inquiry on the USCIS website.
Do not travel internationally between your OPT end date and the STEM OPT approval date.
If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), returned or denied application, contact ISSO immediately. A new I-20 may be required to respond or reapply.

After Approval of your STEM OPT

Make a photocopy of your STEM OPT Approval Notice and EAD (front and back) for your records, and keep your EAD in a safe place.
Log in to the SEVP Portal at https://sevp.ice.gov/opt to update your employment information within 10 days of receiving your EAD.
You will receive email reminders from SEVP before your validation reports are due. Set calendar reminders for your 6-month, 12-month, 18-month, and 24-month reporting deadlines.
Visit the ISS Virtual Office Assistant page and click on the “STEM OPT Reporting” section to submit your required reports.
To understand your full reporting responsibilities, visit our STEM OPT reporting page.

Allow up to 10 business days for ISSO processing after document submission. Missing documents will delay your I-20. If you do not receive a response within that time, email iss@qc.cuny.edu.

Helpful Websites

STEM OPT Hub – Study in the States
Official DHS resource center for students and employers on the 24-month STEM OPT Extension.
SEVP Portal Login
Used to report employment and address changes during OPT/STEM.
USCIS Case Status Tracker
Track your I-765 application with your receipt number.
USCIS I-765 Form Page
Official USCIS instructions and application page for the I-765.
CUNY ISS Virtual Office Assistant – STEM OPT Reporting
Submit your validation reports and employer updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our STEM OPT Extension Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive:

Where can I find my CIP code?

The CIP code is printed next to your major on page one of your I-20. The code is 6 digits long (xx.xxxx). Once you find your code, you can check the eligible CIP codes for the STEM extension on the SEVP website.

If I have a dual major, can I qualify for the 24-month extension based on one of the degree programs?

Yes, if one of the degrees is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List and your work is related to your STEM degree.

Can I qualify for the 24-month extension based on my minor or

No.

Can I apply for STEM OPT after OPT expires?

You cannot apply once your 12-month OPT expires or during the 60-day grace period

Can I work with an expired EAD while my STEM extension is pending?

Yes. Your work authorization is automatically extended for up to 180 days while the 24-month STEM extension application is pending.

When does my 24-month extension of OPT start?

If you have properly filed for a 24-month STEM extension, the period of extension starts the day after the expiration of your original OPT period.

I am on the STEM extension and I cannot edit my employment in the SEVP Portal, how do I update my information?

While on the STEM extension, only the DSO can update your employment information and the DSO is required to review updates to your I-983 before making any changes. You must fill the STEM OPT Reporting Form to update your employment and email QC-ISSO the updated I-983 when necessary. You can still update your physical address in the SEVP Portal while on STEM OPT.

Can I change employers while the STEM extension is pending?

Yes, you can change employers while your 24-month STEM OPT extension application is pending with USCIS. If you change employers, report the change to the STEM OPT Reporting Form and email us with explanation that your STEM OPT extension application is still pending with USCIS. Regulations state that employment changes must be reported within 10 days.

What should I do if I leave a job during my STEM OPT period?

If you stop working for your employer, make sure to upload the final evaluation to the STEM OPT Reporting Form. You can find the evaluation form on page 5 of your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.

I983 Form

What should I do if I change employers during my STEM OPT?

If you switch employers, complete STEM OPT Reporting Form. and submit a new I-983 signed by your new employer. Additionally, remember to update the form if you have any changes to your residential address, email, or phone number.
I983 Form
Note: In case you have multiple events to report at the same time, such as leaving one employer and starting a new job, you should submit the form twice, providing specific details and uploading any relevant documents for each event.

Can an F-1 student on post-completion OPT/STEM OPT travel outside the US ?

In general, an F-1 student on post-completion OPT may travel outside the United States temporarily and be readmitted to resume F-1 status and employment for the remainder of the period authorized on his or her EAD card. The student must not have exceeded the maximum OPT unemployment or OPT STEM Extension unemployment time.

Please review all travel and re-entry information on the main Travel and Re-Entry page.

WARNING: Re-entering the United States in a status other than F-1 (such as a tourist) will invalidate F-1 status and OPT authorization.

What documents are needed to travel on post-completion OPT/STEM OPT travel outside the US ?

The necessary documents include a valid passport with an unexpired F-1 visa stamp, a signed Form I-20, an unexpired EAD card, and an employer verification letter.

Can a student travel abroad while their post-completion OPT/STEM OPT application is being pending?

You may travel abroad while your OPT application is being processed. However, USCIS does not recommend it due to the risks that may be associated with it:

USCIS sometimes returns, denies, or sends a request for more information regarding OPT applications. These requests are sent by postal mail, so it might be difficult for you to respond if you are not inside the U.S. It is your application, so ISS does not have the authority to respond for you.

In addition, you must have proof of employment and your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in order to reenter the U.S. If the OPT application is approved while you are abroad and you do not have your EAD or proof of employment, it could put your return to the U.S. in jeopardy.