STEM OPT Extension

F-1 students with degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their Post-completion OPT work permission. To learn more about STEM OPT, review the STEM OPT Hub and the information below:

STEM OPT Eligibility

How to Apply

Reporting Requirements while on 24-month STEM OPT

Traveling on 24-month STEM OPT

CAP GAP EXTENSION

STEM OPT eligibility

• Be on a period of approved Post-completion OPT.
• Hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a field of study (indicated on the I-20) that is on the official STEM Designated Degree Program List.
• Have a paid job offer from an employer enrolled in E-Verify and that has a Federal Employer Identification Number. Your employer must pay you the same amount that they would pay a similar U.S. worker.
• Demonstrate the job is directly related to the STEM degree.
• Must work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
• If you have multiple employers, each employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, have a Federal Employer Identification Number and complete a form I-983 Training Plan.
• If the place of employment is at a location that is other than the employer's principal place of business, the employer must maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship.
• Prepare and sign the Training Plan (Form I-983). You can find a sample of a completed I-983 form on our website.
• Submit an application to USCIS before the end date listed on your current Post-completion OPT EAD card.

Eligibility for a second period of 24-month STEM OPT after higher degree:

• If you enroll in a new academic program in the U.S. in the future and earn another qualifying STEM degree at a higher educational level, you may be eligible for a second period of 24-Month STEM OPT.
• Example: You earn a bachelor's degree in computer science and apply for Post-completion OPT and then 24-month STEM OPT. You then earn a master's degree in computer science. You are eligible to apply again for Post-completion OPT and another 24-month STEM OPT based on your earned master's degree.

Eligibility based on a previously obtained STEM degree:

If you are currently in a degree field (or on Post-completion OPT) that is not STEM eligible, but you have previously earned a STEM-eligible degree from an accredited U.S. higher education institution, you may be eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT under certain conditions:

• You must have received both degrees from currently accredited and SEVP-certified institutions.
• Your previous degree cannot have been earned more than 10 years ago.
• Your previous degree is on the official STEM Designated Degree Program List.
• You did not already receive a STEM OPT extension based on the previous degree.
• Your employment is directly related to the previously obtained STEM degree.
• Your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and has a Federal Employer Identification Number.

How to apply

Submit your STEM OPT I-20 Request to ISSS

• Pay the $100 STEM-Extension OPT Administrative Services Fee. This fee supports the additional application review, monitoring, and services related to students on STEM OPT. You can pay the fee online and will need to provide the Order Number on the Request for STEM OPT Extension e-form.
• Submit the STEM OPT Extension Request to the ISSS Office. The earliest you can apply for STEM OPT is 90 days before your Post-completion OPT expires. You must upload a completed Form I-983 as part of the application. You can find a sample of a completed I-983 form on our website. Please note that ISSS processing time is 7-10 business days.  
• You will receive an email from ISSS when your STEM OPT I-20 is ready, and an electronic copy of your I-20 will be attached to the email. You will need to print the I-20, sign it, and include a copy of the I-20 with your STEM OPT application to USCIS. 

Prepare and submit your STEM OPT application

Do not submit the online or paper Form I-765 application to USCIS until you have received your STEM OPT I-20 from the ISSS office. If you submit a Form I-765 application before you have received your STEM OPT I-20, your application will be denied.

Whether applying online or by paper, you should keep in mind that the I-765 application is your personal application for employment authorization. You are responsible for following all USCIS instructions and making sure that the application is correct and complete. ISSS cannot troubleshoot technical issues with the online filing process. ISSS will not have access to your application and cannot correct, edit, or change any information on your application for you. If you have any issues or questions regarding your I-765 application, you will need to work directly with USCIS.

Filing Form I-765

• Filing Form I-765 online

  ISSS has prepared a step-by-step Guide to Filing Online for STEM OPT applications. 

  You will need to prepare clear digital copies (refer to the full guide for additional details on file types and sizes) of the following documents:

  • Passport Photo – taken within the last 30 days
  • Most recent I-94 record
  • Current EAD card
  • STEM OPT I-20 – USCIS has to receive your application within 60 days of the OPT I-20 issue date found on the bottom of page 1
  • Diploma or official transcript confirming STEM degree

  To file Form I-765 online, you will need to create a myUSCIS account. Follow the instructions in the ISSS Online Filing Guide to create your account and complete Form I-765 online. 

  If you would like an ISSS advisor to review your form before submitting it, there is an option to "View draft snapshot" before submitting your application online. You can create a pdf of your draft I-765 and email it to intlwork@binghamton.edu for an advisor to review. 

  Important: USCIS must receive your STEM OPT application within 60 days of the date your STEM OPT I-20 was issued AND before the end date on your current EAD. If they receive it more than 60 days after the I-20 issue date or after your current EAD ends, your application will be denied.

  When you submit your Form I-765 online, you will receive confirmation that your form was submitted. Check your receipt notice to confirm that your name, date of birth, and address are correct. If they are incorrect, you will need to request a correction from USCIS.

  You will pay the filing fee using a U.S. bank account or credit card when you submit your application. The current filing fee is $470 for applications filed online. 

  Important notes:

  1. You may continue to work while your application is processing for up to 180 days after the end date on your Post-completion OPT EAD. Students typically receive an approval notice and new EAD card within 90-120 days after submitting the STEM OPT application.
  2. When you receive your new EAD card for the STEM OPT extension, be sure to upload a copy to the ISSS. 

  Premium Processing
  USCIS will accept premium processing requests when Form I-907 is filed with a Form I-765 application. Students who have a pending request for OPT or STEM OPT can also file a premium processing request. The premium processing fee is $1,685 (in addition to the standard filing fee for Form I-765) and guarantees that USCIS will review the application within 30 calendar days. Students who are considering paying for premium processing should first check the USCIS estimated processing times for normal processing to determine if the benefit is worth the increased cost.

  The information contained on this page is provided by the International Student and Scholar Services as a service solely to the international students at Binghamton University. Utilization of these materials by anyone other than the above-noted intended recipients is strictly prohibited. We try to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this page. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. Neither Binghamton University nor International Student and Scholar Services is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this material, or the results obtained from the use of this information.

• Filing Form I-765 by mail

  After receiving your STEM OPT I-20, you must submit the following documents to USCIS within 60 days of the STEM OPT I-20 issue date AND before your Post-completion OPT end date:

  • Two Passport Photos – Taken within the last 30 days. Write your name and I-94 number on the back of the photos lightly in pencil or ballpoint pen.
  • Application Fee of $520 for applications filed by mail.
    • Check/Money Order made payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    • U.S. Credit Card: You must complete Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transaction to pay your application fee with a credit card. Please note: some students have had applications rejected because their credit card company declined the charge. ISSS recommends using a money order if possible.
  • G-1145 e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance. Use this form to request a text and/or email when USCIS accepts your I-765 form.
  • I-765 Form –You must include all 7 pages with your application. This document must be typed. You can find a sample of a completed I-765 form on our website.
    • On page 1, select box 1.a. “Initial permission to accept employment” because this is your first application in the STEM OPT category.  
    • On page 3, question 27, enter the correct employment code as follows: (c)(3)(C).
    • Use Part 6 (page 7) to provide all previously used SEVIS numbers and list any previously authorized CPT and/or OPT and the academic level at which it was authorized.
    • If you would like an advisor to review your Form I-765, you can email a pdf to intlwork@binghamton.edu and an ISSS advisor will provide feedback. 
  • Document Photocopies – Do not send any originals of these supporting documents:
    • Electronic I-94 record or photocopy of paper I-94 card (both sides)
    • F-1 Visa
    • Passport ID page – Passport must be valid at least 6 months into the future
    • STEM OPT I-20
    • All I-20s that you have been issued, including I-20s from other schools (excluding the instructions page). If you are missing any of your previous Binghamton University I-20s, you can request I-20 copies online. Please be as specific as possible in your request. 
    • Previously issued EAD Card(s) (Front and Back)
    • Diploma or official transcript confirming STEM degree

  Make a copy of your application before you mail it to USCIS.

  Mail Your Application to USCIS:

  Use Priority Mail/Express Mail to send your OPT application to USCIS. Send your OPT application to the USCIS Direct Filing Address for foreign students. 

  Important notes:

  1. You should NOT include Form I-983 in the application you mail to USCIS.
  2. Within 2-10 weeks of mailing your application, you should receive a paper receipt notice in the mail. Check that your name, date of birth, and address are correct on this notice. If they are incorrect, contact USCIS at the phone number listed on your receipt notice. You can also check the status of your application online.
  3. You may continue to work while your application is processing for up to 180 days after the end date on your Post-completion OPT EAD. Students typically receive an approval notice and new EAD card within 90-120 days after mailing the STEM OPT application.
  4. When you receive your new EAD card for the STEM OPT extension, be sure to upload a copy to the ISSS. 

  Premium Processing
  USCIS will accept premium processing requests when Form I-907 is filed with a Form I-765 application. Students who have a pending request for OPT or STEM OPT can also file a premium processing request. The premium processing fee is $1,685 (in addition to the standard filing fee for Form I-765) and guarantees that USCIS will review the application within 30 calendar days. Students who are considering paying for premium processing should first check the USCIS estimated processing times for normal processing to determine if the benefit is worth the increased cost.

  The information contained on this page is provided by the International Student and Scholar Services as a service solely to the international students at Binghamton University. Utilization of these materials by anyone other than the above-noted intended recipients is strictly prohibited. We try to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this page. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. Neither Binghamton University nor International Student and Scholar Services is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this material, or the results obtained from the use of this information.

Reporting requirements while on 24-month STEM OPT

• You must report/confirm your employment information and living address to the ISSS office every six months while on STEM OPT. You can confirm your employment by submitting a STEM OPT Employment Update Form.
• If you change your employer while on STEM OPT, or if your position at your current employment greatly changes, you must submit a STEM OPT Employment Update Form with a new Form I-983 within 10 days of the change. You must also submit a final evaluation signed by your previous employer. The final evaluation can be found on page five of the Form I-983.
• If you change your living address while on STEM OPT, you must submit the Address Change for Students on OPT form within 10 days of the change.
• You must submit an annual self-evaluation (found on page five of Form I-983) about the progress of your employment to the ISSS office. For more information about the annual self-evaluation, visit the Students and the Form I-983 page.
• SEVP has launched a portal where students on STEM OPT can report changes to their address and phone number. You will receive an email from SEVP after your approved EAD start date; that email will contain instructions for creating your portal account. You are still required to report all other changes to STEM OPT employment directly to the ISSS Office using the instructions and links above. If you have created your SEVP Portal account and forgot your password, you can reset it on the SEVP Portal login page. See the SEVP Portal Help pages for more information on accessing your portal account. If you are locked out of your account or did not activate your account within 14 days of your EAD start date, you can submit the SEVP Portal Access Request e-form. 
• During the 24-month STEM OPT extension authorization period, you may not accrue more than a total of 150 days of unemployment between your 12-month OPT period and STEM OPT period. For example, if you accrued 30 days of unemployment during your 12-month OPT period, then you may have a total of 120 days of unemployment during your STEM OPT period.
• Time spent outside the United States, if not employed by a U.S. employer, counts towards the 150-day period of unemployment.

Traveling on 24-month STEM OPT

The ISSS Office strongly recommends that you do not travel outside of the U.S. after your Post-completion OPT EAD card has expired, until you receive your STEM OPT EAD card.

If you travel outside of the U.S. during your STEM OPT period, you are required to show the following documents to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status:

• A valid I-20 that includes a travel signature that is less than 6 months old and lists your current employment information.
• A passport that is valid at least six months into the future.
• A valid F-1 visa.
• A valid EAD card.
• Proof of employment (Job offer letter).

Cap Gap Extension

F-1 students who are the beneficiary of a timely-filed H-1B petition may be eligible for an extension of work authorization called the “cap gap” extension. You may learn more about the cap gap extension on the USCIS website. If your employer has filed an H-1B petition on your behalf, you should review the ISSS Cap Gap Extension page for additional details and to request an updated I-20.