Update on the New STEM OPT Extension - Effective May 10, 2016

The 24 Month STEM extension will require students and their employers to complete a Form I-983 Training Plan before the STEM OPT can be recommended by OIS.

New Rule Requirements

  • Submission of your formal Form I-983.
  • Reporting changes to name, U.S. Address, email, phone and employment details within 10 days.
  • Completing a mandatory reporting check-in every 6 months.
  • Submission of your formal employer signed self-evaluation of the training progress to our office at the 12 month period during the STEM OPT and again at the end of the 24 months. 
STEM Extension FAQs
STEM OPT HUB

Eligibility STEM Majors

Students who have earned a bachelors or a graduate degree in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) may be eligible to obtain a one-time 24-month extension of their F-1 optional practical training.

To be eligible the following must apply:

  • Student must have majored in a science, technology, engineering or math discipline that qualifies
  • the employer for which the F-1 student is working (or will work) must be registered in E-Verify.