Quick answer: The STEM OPT extension adds 24 months of work authorization for graduates with a degree on the DHS STEM list. To qualify, you need a paid job of at least 20 hours a week that is related to your STEM degree, at an employer enrolled in E-Verify that signs a Form I-983 training plan with you. File no earlier than 90 days before your current OPT ends, and before it ends.
Key takeaways
- Your degree must be on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list.
- The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and in good standing.
- You and your employer sign Form I-983 before you start the STEM OPT job.
- You can be unemployed for 150 days in total across OPT and STEM OPT.
- You must validate your information every 6 months, even if nothing changed.
Step 1: Check eligibility
- You are in F-1 status and currently on post-completion OPT.
- Your degree is in a STEM-eligible field. It can be the degree you used for OPT or an earlier STEM degree from an accredited U.S. school, depending on the rules that apply to you.
- You have not already used a STEM extension based on the same degree.
Step 2: Confirm the job qualifies
| Check | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| E-Verify | The employer is enrolled and in good standing, and has an EIN. |
| Paid and related | The job is paid and directly related to your STEM degree. |
| Hours | At least 20 hours a week. |
| Comparable pay | Your pay is comparable to U.S. workers with similar credentials. |
| Employer relationship | A bona fide employer-employee relationship. Labor-for-hire placements and being your own employer usually do not qualify. |
Unpaid or volunteer work does not count for STEM OPT, even though it can count on regular OPT.
Step 3: Complete Form I-983
Form I-983 is your training plan. You and your employer complete and sign it before the STEM OPT job begins, and your school reviews it. You also submit self-evaluations at the midpoint and the end of each job. If something material changes, such as a new supervisor or a pay change, you need a new I-983 before the change takes effect.
Step 4: Get the school recommendation and file on time
- Ask your DSO for the STEM OPT recommendation and a new I-20. Schools often need about two weeks.
- File with USCIS no earlier than 90 days before your OPT EAD expires.
- USCIS must receive your application before your current OPT ends. You cannot file during the 60-day grace period.
- If you file on time, you can keep working for up to 180 days while the application is pending.
Step 5: Stay in status while on STEM OPT
- Unemployment: 150 days in total across OPT and STEM OPT.
- 6-month validation: confirm your information every 6 months, even with no changes.
- 10-day reporting: report changes to your name, address, employer or employment within 10 days.
- Leaving a job: notify your school promptly. Many schools ask within five business days.
- Multiple employers: allowed, but each job needs its own I-983 and an E-Verify employer.
What to ask a Korean employer
Large Korean groups in the U.S. often have HR teams used to STEM OPT, but newer plants and smaller subsidiaries may not. Ask early:
- “Is this U.S. entity enrolled in E-Verify under its own EIN?”
- “Who will sign my I-983 and act as my supervisor?”
- “Will I be employed by you directly, or through a staffing agency?”
- “What is your plan for H-1B if I want to stay after STEM OPT?”
For the full picture, read the OPT and STEM OPT guide and OPT unemployment days explained.
FAQ
Can I switch employers during STEM OPT?
Yes, but the new employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you need a new I-983 before you start. Report the change within 10 days.
Can I work through a staffing agency on STEM OPT?
Only if there is a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the entity that signs your I-983. Labor-for-hire arrangements often do not qualify, so check with your DSO.
How long does STEM OPT processing take?
It varies. Some schools tell students to expect about three to four months. Filing on time lets you keep working up to 180 days while you wait.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, and your school’s DSO and an immigration attorney should confirm what applies to you.
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