STEM OPT Extension Request

STEM OPT Extension Request

Students who are applying for the STEM OPT extension should review this page prior to applying.  It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure you understand the below information before applying for STEM OPT. 

24 Month STEM Eligibility Requirements

F-1 students with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degrees in fields listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program List may be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.  To be eligible:

  1. The student must be maintaining active F-1 status on Post Completion Optional Practical Training
  2. The student’s degree must meet the following requirements:
    • The student’s most recent degree must be from a currently accredited SEVP-certified school
    • The student’s STEM qualifying degree must be from a school in the U.S.; at a bachelor’s level or higher; and was conferred within 10 years of when the student is requesting the STEM extension with USCIS.  Students cannot have previously used the same degree to obtain a STEM OPT extension.
    • The degree must be in a field on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Students find their degree CIP code (a 6 digit code formatted 00.0000) on page 1 of the I-20.
  3. The student must have employment or an offer to start employment within a permissible time frame (not to exceed the allowed unemployment days) meeting the following eligibility requirements:
    • The position is a minimum of 20 hours per week
    • The position is paid (commensurate to other similarly situated American employers) 
    • The position directly relates to the STEM degree 
    • The employer is enrolled in USCIS' E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. E-Verify allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. Contact your employer’s Human Resources office to determine if they are in E-Verify. ISSS does not have access to this information, but you can visit the E-Verify website. 
    • The employer and student have a Bonafide employer-employee relationship and the employer is willing to help complete, submit, and maintain the Form I-983 Training Plan with the student. 
  4. The student must obtain the I-20 requesting STEM OPT and use it to file the I-765 requesting STEM OPT with USCIS during the approved filing window.  Students may apply no earlier than 90 days before the current OPT EAD expiration date. USCIS must receive the Form I-765 (including the new I-20 issued by ISSS requesting STEM OPT) within 60 days of when ISSS issues the new I-20 requesting STEM OPT and before the student's current post-completion OPT EAD expiration date, whichever date comes first.

Students or employers with questions about eligibility requirements may consult the SEVP STEM OPT hub.

How to Request a New I-20 from ISSS to Apply for STEM OPT

Please prepare the following documents to submit with your STEM OPT Request EForm. Only complete STEM OPT requests will be considered.

  1. A screenshot of your receipt email for the ISS STEM OPT Filing Fee
    • Pay the fee
    • Read step by step instructions on how to pay the fee
    • Please pay the correct fee amount based on when you are submitting your request to ISSS.  See above tiered rate descriptions for more.
  2. Completed I-983 Form
    • Please read the ICE Instructions
    • ISSS has created a sample I-983 to help students
  3. A copy of your current OPT EAD card
  4. Current I-94
  5. Employer's E-Verify Number 

Please also order your transcript, you will need to submit a copy of this to DHS-USCIS (not the diploma).

To submit the STEM OPT Extension Request EForm:

  1. Log into AccessISSS. Watch this recording if you need help navigating on the web portal.
  2. Select the "STEM OPT Extension Request EForm" from the EForm menu.
  3. This EForm will ask you to upload supporting documents. If you need assistance, please review the file upload instructions.

All updates related to your EForm will be communicated over email.  It takes up to 5-7 business days for an ISSS advisor to process your request.   If your request is approved, you will receive an updated I-20 and further instructions on how to file the Form I-765 with DHS-USCIS.  While waiting, you should order a UAlbany transcript online; this is one of the required documents when filing the I-765. 

Students who enter the United States after September 15, 2026 but before filing the I-765 for STEM OPT will also need to file a Form I-539 for an Extension of Stay (EOS).

STEM OPT Workshop
I765 Online Filing for STEM OPT
Anchor ID
uscisfilingstem

Supplemental Forms and Instructions

 

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site/form is provided as a service to international students, faculty and staff at the University at Albany. It does not constitute legal advice. We try to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site or any associated site or form.

Neither the University at Albany nor ISSS is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel; students may wish to consult an immigration attorney on the specifics of their case as needed.

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