The STEM OPT extension allows F-1 students who have earned a degree in a qualifying Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field to extend their post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization by an additional 24 months — for a total of up to 36 months of OPT. In 2026, STEM OPT remains the primary work authorization bridge for international STEM graduates as they await H-1B selection, though the program faces regulatory uncertainty as the DHS Duration of Status rule works through the rulemaking process.
Last updated: July 25, 2026.
- OPT vs. STEM OPT: The Basics
- STEM OPT Eligibility Requirements 2026
- How to Apply for STEM OPT Extension (Step by Step)
- STEM OPT Reporting Requirements
- STEM OPT and H-1B Cap-Gap in 2026
- 2026 Regulatory Note: Duration of Status Changes
- What Is STEM OPT and Who Qualifies?
- Qualifying STEM Degree Programs
- Form I-983: The STEM OPT Training Plan
- Employer E-Verify Requirement — Critical
- The 180-Day Automatic Extension
- Unemployment Limits During STEM OPT
- Bi-Annual Self-Evaluations Required
- STEM OPT Application Step by Step
- From STEM OPT to H-1B: CAP-GAP
OPT vs. STEM OPT: The Basics
- Standard OPT: 12 months of work authorization available to all F-1 students after completing their degree. Can be used pre-completion (up to 12 months total combined) or post-completion.
- STEM OPT Extension: Additional 24 months added to post-completion OPT for qualifying STEM degree holders. Total: 36 months of authorized work.
- Cap-gap: F-1 students selected in the H-1B lottery while on OPT/STEM OPT receive automatic work authorization extension (cap-gap) through September 30 of that year, covering the gap between OPT expiration and H-1B start date of October 1.
STEM OPT Eligibility Requirements 2026
Degree Requirements
The STEM OPT extension is available only for degrees that appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, published at ice.gov/sevis/practical-training. The list covers hundreds of CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) codes, including virtually all computer science, engineering, mathematics, and natural science programs. Common qualifying degrees include:
- Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering
- Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
- Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical Engineering
- Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Mathematics
- Biology, Chemistry, Physics
- Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Information Systems
- Actuarial Science, Operations Research
Notably excluded from STEM OPT: business administration (even with a quantitative focus), psychology, social sciences, and most humanities — even if the degree involved significant quantitative coursework. The degree itself must be on the DHS STEM list.
Employer Requirements
This is the most significant requirement: the employer must be enrolled in and use E-Verify (verify status directly at e-verify.gov). E-Verify is the federal online system that verifies employment eligibility. If an employer is not enrolled in E-Verify, they cannot legally employ a STEM OPT worker. Students must verify E-Verify status before accepting a STEM OPT position.
Training Plan Requirement
STEM OPT requires a formal Training Plan (Form I-983), completed jointly by the student and employer. The plan must detail how the work relates to the student’s STEM degree, what learning objectives will be met, how the employer will supervise and evaluate the student, and how the position constitutes a genuine training opportunity rather than routine employment.
How to Apply for STEM OPT Extension (Step by Step)
Step 1 — Confirm Your Degree Qualifies
Ask your Designated School Official (DSO) at your university’s international student office to confirm your specific CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The degree used for the STEM OPT application must be the one that authorized the initial OPT period.
Step 2 — Secure E-Verify Employer and Complete I-983
You must have a job offer from an E-Verify employer before applying. Complete Form I-983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT Students) with your employer. Both you and the employer supervisor must sign it. The DSO reviews and retains the I-983 — it is not filed with USCIS but must be kept on file and available for inspection.
Step 3 — DSO Updates SEVIS and Issues New I-20
Your DSO updates your SEVIS record to reflect the STEM OPT recommendation and issues a new Form I-20 with an end date 24 months beyond your current OPT end date and the notation “STEM OPT Recommended.” This I-20 is required for your I-765 application.
Step 4 — File Form I-765 with USCIS
File Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) — see the official form and instructions at uscis.gov/i-765 — using eligibility category (c)(3)(C) for STEM OPT. The filing fee is $470 if filed online (myUSCIS) or $520 if filed on paper. You must file at least 90 days before your current OPT EAD expires. If you file on time and your EAD expires while USCIS is processing your extension, you receive an automatic 180-day extension of your work authorization while the application is pending.
Required documents for I-765 STEM OPT extension:
- Form I-765 completed and signed
- New I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation from DSO
- Copy of current EAD (both sides)
- Copy of F-1 visa (if available)
- Copy of passport bio page
- Copy of I-94 arrival/departure record
- Two passport-style photos
STEM OPT Reporting Requirements
STEM OPT has ongoing compliance requirements throughout the 24-month period:
- Every 6 months: Validate your SEVIS record by reporting your employment status, employer name, address, and whether training goals are being met to your DSO
- Within 5 days: Report any change of employer, job title, or work location to your DSO; employer changes require a new I-983 and SEVIS update
- Unemployment limit: Aggregate unemployment during STEM OPT cannot exceed 60 days (compared to 90 days for standard OPT). Each period between jobs counts.
- Annual employer evaluation: The employer must complete an annual evaluation of the student’s progress against the I-983 training goals
STEM OPT and H-1B Cap-Gap in 2026
STEM OPT’s 36-month duration is strategically important for H-1B access. The H-1B lottery for FY 2027 (October 2026 start) closed in March 2026. Students selected in the lottery and whose STEM OPT expires before October 1 receive cap-gap protection — their work authorization automatically extends through September 30, 2026. STEM OPT’s 36-month window gives students three attempts at the H-1B lottery (three fiscal years) before their work authorization expires, compared to only one attempt on standard 12-month OPT.
2026 Regulatory Note: Duration of Status Changes
DHS has proposed replacing the F-1 Duration of Status (D/S) admission system with fixed-period admissions. As of May 2026, the rule is under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and has not yet taken effect. If finalized, international students would receive a fixed admission period (likely tied to their program end date plus a grace period) rather than D/S. This could affect how overstays are calculated and how students maintain status between OPT and STEM OPT periods. Students should monitor the Duration of Status rule closely with their DSO.
Related: F-1 Student Visa Complete Guide | OPT & CPT Work Authorization Guide | F-1 to H-1B Transition Guide | F-1/J-1 Duration of Status 2026
Related: F-1 Student Visa Complete Guide 2026 | J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Guide 2026
–>
What Is STEM OPT and Who Qualifies?
STEM OPT is a 24-month extension of the standard 12-month F-1 OPT, available to international students who earned a qualifying STEM degree from a U.S. accredited institution. With STEM OPT, eligible students get a total of 36 months of work authorization without needing an H-1B visa.
To qualify for STEM OPT extension you need ALL of the following:
- Currently in valid post-completion OPT status (not pre-completion OPT)
- A qualifying STEM degree — bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD — from a U.S. school on the official STEM Designated Degree Program List (published by ICE/DHS)
- The STEM OPT job must be directly related to your STEM degree
- Your employer must be enrolled in and actively using E-Verify
Qualifying STEM Degree Programs
Not every science or engineering degree qualifies — it must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Key qualifying CIP codes include:
| Field | Examples of Qualifying Programs |
|---|---|
| Computer Science / IT | Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Science |
| Engineering | Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Aerospace, Biomedical, Industrial Engineering |
| Mathematics / Statistics | Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Actuarial Science |
| Physical Sciences | Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Astronomy, Materials Science |
| Biological Sciences | Biology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Ecology |
| Finance (select programs) | Financial Mathematics, Mathematical Finance (CIP 52.0801) |
Always verify your specific CIP code on the official DHS STEM list before applying. Some programs that sound STEM (e.g., Management Information Systems in a business school) may or may not appear on the list depending on their CIP code.
Form I-983: The STEM OPT Training Plan
Form I-983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT Students) is the most important document in the STEM OPT process. Both you (the student) and your employer’s authorized training representative must sign it.
What the I-983 Must Include
- Job description: Specific duties and how they relate to your STEM degree
- Learning objectives: What skills/knowledge you will develop during the extension period
- Compensation: Your salary — which must be comparable to similarly situated U.S. workers performing similar duties (anti-displacement requirement)
- Supervision: Your direct supervisor’s name, title, and qualifications to supervise your training
- Evaluations: How the employer will assess your progress (must evaluate you at least every 12 months)
- E-Verify details: Employer’s E-Verify Company ID number
I-983 Updates Required When:
- You change job duties significantly
- You change to a different employer (also requires a new I-765)
- Your compensation changes significantly
- Your training supervisor changes
Employer E-Verify Requirement — Critical
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify — not just registered, but using it. Before applying for STEM OPT, confirm:
- Ask HR for the company’s E-Verify Company ID number — you need it for I-983
- Verify at e-verify.uscis.gov/emp that the employer is listed as an E-Verify participant
- Small companies and nonprofits sometimes claim to be E-Verify but aren’t enrolled — always verify
If your employer is not enrolled in E-Verify, you cannot get STEM OPT with them. Options: ask them to enroll (enrollment is free and takes 1-2 weeks), or find a different employer who is already enrolled.
The 180-Day Automatic Extension
If you file your STEM OPT I-765 extension application before your current OPT EAD expires, you are automatically authorized to continue working for up to 180 additional days while USCIS processes your new application. This prevents a gap in your work authorization.
| Scenario | Result |
|---|---|
| File STEM OPT I-765 BEFORE OPT EAD expires | ✅ 180-day automatic work authorization extension kicks in |
| File STEM OPT I-765 AFTER OPT EAD expires | ❌ No automatic extension; work authorization gap; must stop working |
| USCIS approves STEM OPT within 180 days | ✅ New EAD arrives; continue working under new STEM OPT EAD |
| USCIS takes longer than 180 days | ⚠️ Contact your DSO — additional extension may apply if case still pending |
Apply early — at least 90 days before your OPT EAD expires.
Unemployment Limits During STEM OPT
| OPT Period | Max Unemployment |
|---|---|
| Standard OPT (12 months) | 90 days |
| STEM OPT extension (24 months) | 60 additional days |
| Total combined 36-month period | 150 days maximum |
Your DSO must report unemployment to SEVIS. If you exceed the limit, your F-1 status is violated. Track your unemployment carefully and inform your DSO of any job loss immediately.
Bi-Annual Self-Evaluations Required
During STEM OPT, you must complete self-evaluations using Form I-983 every 12 months and when your STEM OPT ends. Your employer must also complete an evaluation. These are submitted to your DSO (not to USCIS) and kept in your school’s records. Non-compliance can jeopardize your STEM OPT status.
STEM OPT Application Step by Step
| Step | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm E-Verify with employer; get Company ID | 2+ months before OPT expires |
| 2 | Complete Form I-983 with employer | 2+ months before OPT expires |
| 3 | DSO recommends STEM OPT in SEVIS; issues updated I-20 | ASAP after I-983 ready |
| 4 | File Form I-765 online at my.uscis.gov ($470) | 90 days before OPT EAD expires |
| 5 | 180-day auto extension activates (if filed before EAD expiry) | Day of OPT EAD expiry |
| 6 | USCIS processes and mails new EAD | 3–5 months after filing |
| 7 | Begin semi-annual self-evaluations with employer | 12 months after STEM OPT start |
From STEM OPT to H-1B: CAP-GAP
Most STEM OPT students aim to convert to H-1B status before their 36 months expire. The key mechanism is CAP-GAP: if your employer files an H-1B cap-subject petition on your behalf and you are selected in the lottery, your F-1/STEM OPT status is automatically extended through September 30 to bridge to the H-1B October 1 start date.
See the complete guide: F-1 OPT & STEM OPT 2026: Full Guide Including CAP-GAP.
What to do next: if your H-1B lottery odds matter to your timeline, read the H-1B Visa Complete Guide to plan your registration windows around your STEM OPT period. If you’re preparing a green card or visa interview instead, the DS-160 Guide covers the next step.
