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University of Florida

STEM OPT Extension

(The following information is an adaptation of information available at NAFSA.org and StudyInTheStates.DHS.gov)

F-1 students with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) - certified institution of higher education may apply for the 24-month STEM OPT Extension from a valid period of 12-month standard post-completion OPT. The start date of the 24-month STEM OPT extension will be automatically set to the day after the expiration of the current 12-month OPT authorization and the end date will be 24 months later. This will allow for a total of 36 months of OPT. Students may not request only a portion of the 24-month STEM OPT extension.

After completing another qualifying degree at a higher degree level and receiving another period of standard post-completion OPT based on that degree, a student would be eligible for one more 24-month STEM OPT extension.

A student is limited to two STEM OPT extensions during his or her lifetime.

To qualify for the 24-month extension, the eligible student must:

  • Student must be in the United States with a valid F1 SEVIS record and I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
  • Have been granted OPT and currently be in a valid period of OPT,
  • Have a STEM major which is on the STEM Designated Degree Program list - ICE
  • Have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree* from a school that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency and is certified by SEVP.
  • Previously obtained STEM degrees: F-1 students participating in a 12-month period of standard post-completion OPT based on a non-STEM degree may be eligible to use a prior STEM degree earned from a U.S. institution of higher education to apply for a STEM OPT extension. Students must have received both degrees from currently accredited and SEVP-certified institutions, and cannot have already received a STEM OPT extension based on this prior degree. The practical training opportunity also must be directly related to the previously obtained STEM degree.
  • STEM degrees obtained in the future: If a student enrolls in a new academic program in the future and earns another qualifying STEM degree at a higher educational level, the student may be eligible for one additional 24-month STEM OPT extension.
  • Work for an E-Verified employer who meets all the requirements in the STEM OPT Employer Responsibilities (For more information, employers and students may refer to the DHS STEM OPT Hub.)
  • Submit a complete STEM OPT application packet to USCIS no earlier than 90 days before his or her current OPT employment authorization expires, and within 60 days of the date the student’s Designated School Official (DSO) [same as International Student Advisor (ISA)] enters the recommendation for the STEM OPT extension into the student’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record.
  • *Master’s or doctoral students who have not yet completed their thesis or dissertation may still be eligible for STEM OPT extension and must:
    • Be on a period of standard post-completion OPT, and
    • Have completed all course requirements outside of completing their thesis or dissertation. The thesis requirement or equivalent must be the only degree requirement still outstanding at the time of application; this is not an available option for students using a previously obtained STEM degree.

Types of employment that do not constitute employment under the 24-month STEM OPT extension are:

  • volunteer/unpaid position,
  • self-employment/entrepreneurial arrangements,
  • sole proprietorship,
  • multiple employer arrangements,
  • employment through “temp/staffing” agencies
    • USCIS Revises Third-Party Placement Rules for STEM OPT Recipients
    • For more information, visit the USCIS STEM OPT page.
  • employment through consulting firm arrangements that provide “work/labor for hire,” (also known as 1099 employment) and
  • other relationships that do not constitute a bona fide employer-employee relationship.
  • The DSO/ISA must recommend the 24-month STEM OPT extension in SEVIS, after verifying the student's eligibility, certifying that the student's degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, and ensuring that the student is aware of their responsibilities for maintaining status while on STEM OPT.
  • Students will have to submit the Form I-765 with fee and qualifying documentation in order to apply for the STEM OPT extension.
  • Students who timely file an application for the 24-month STEM OPT extension will be able to continue employment while the application is pending, until receiving a final decision on the I-765 or for 180 days, whichever comes first.
  • The employment authorization period for the 24-month STEM OPT extension begins on the day after the expiration of the standard post-completion OPT employment authorization, and ends 24 months later, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved.
  • Students may apply for the STEM OPT extension in the 90 days prior to the expiration of the standard OPT EAD.
  • Applications for the STEM OPT extension must be filed and received at USCIS before the current standard OPT EAD expires.
  • Limited Periods of Unemployment to Maintain Status:
    • During standard post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment.
    • Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during any standard post-completion OPT carried out under the initial standard post-completion OPT authorization.
    • Students granted the 24-month STEM OPT extension are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment, for an aggregate of 150 days of unemployment during the total 36-month OPT period.
    • Must report their OPT/STEM OPT Employment and Home Address to the UFIC ;within 10 days of any changes to their name, address, or employment status in the U.S.
    • Students must also make a validation report to their DSO/ISA every six months starting from the date the STEM OPT extension begins and ending when the student's F-1 status ends, the student changes educational levels at the same school, the student transfers to another school, or the STEM OPT extension ends, whichever is first.

Each international student advisor is assisting students with urgent deadlines. Each student’s personal deadlines are important, however, the government-issued deadlines require priority. Advisors are processing each student’s request to the best of their abilities. They do their best to review and process documents in the order received, but also take into account the expiration date of the OPT EAD and USCIS deadlines. If there are multiple EAD cards expiring on the same day, advisors process them in the order received.

STEM OPT I-20 REQUEST

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If you cannot attend your specific F-1 advisor’s Virtual Office Hours, you may send your questions by email using the Contact Us form. Your F-1 advisor will reply to your email.