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STEM OPT Extension Checklist

24-month extension for F-1 students with STEM degrees

Overall Progress

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$520

Filing Fee

Form I-765

24 mo

Extension Period

on top of 12-mo OPT

90 days

File Window

before OPT expires

150 days

Max Unemployment

cumulative total

Phase 1: Confirm Eligibility

Must meet all criteria before starting this process

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Apply at least 90 days before your current OPT EAD expires. Filing after expiry forfeits the extension.

Your degree is a qualifying STEM degree from a US institution

Action

Check the DHS STEM designated degree program list — not all STEM degrees qualify

DHS STEM Degree List

You are currently on standard OPT (12-month) and your EAD is valid

Action

Your employer is enrolled in E-Verify

Action

Non-E-Verify employers cannot sponsor STEM OPT — verify before starting

Check E-Verify enrollment

Your job is directly related to your STEM degree field

Action

You have not previously used a STEM OPT extension

Action

You get one STEM OPT extension per qualifying degree

Phase 2: Complete Form I-983 with Employer

Training plan — both you and your supervisor must complete and sign

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Form I-983 must be completed before your DSO can recommend STEM OPT in SEVIS.

Download Form I-983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT Students)

Form
Download I-983

Work with your employer/supervisor to fill in all sections

Form

Sections 1 & 5: student fills. Sections 2, 3, 4: employer fills. Both sign Section 6

I-983 lists specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree

Form

I-983 includes mentorship/supervision details and frequency of check-ins

Form

Salary listed on I-983 is no lower than similarly situated US workers (non-displacement)

Form

Both you and your employer supervisor sign Section 6

Action

Phase 3: DSO Recommendation

Bring completed I-983 to your International Student Office

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Submit signed I-983 to your DSO (International Student Office)

Action

DSO reviews I-983 and enters STEM OPT recommendation in SEVIS

Action

Receive updated I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation (Section 6 filled)

Document

Confirm your desired STEM OPT start date on the I-20 matches your request

Action

Phase 4: Gather All Documents

Collect before filing Form I-765

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I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation from DSO

Document

Completed and signed Form I-983

Document

Current valid OPT EAD (front and back)

Document

Passport biographical page (copy)

Document

US F-1 visa stamp (copy, even if expired)

Document

I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (print from i94.cbp.dhs.gov)

Document
Download I-94

Copies of all previous I-20s

Document

Phase 5: File Form I-765 Online

Category (c)(3)(C) for STEM OPT — file at my.uscis.gov

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Log in to my.uscis.gov and start Form I-765

Online
my.uscis.gov

Select eligibility category: (c)(3)(C) — STEM OPT extension

Form

Enter desired STEM OPT start date

Form

Upload I-20, I-983, current EAD, passport, I-94

Form

Pay $520 filing fee

Fee

Submit and save USCIS receipt number

Action

Phase 6: While Waiting for New EAD

You may keep working if you filed on time

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If you filed before OPT expiry, you get a 180-day cap-gap extension to keep working while USCIS processes your case.

Receive USCIS Receipt Notice (Form I-797) by mail or email

Document

Track case status using receipt number at egov.uscis.gov

Online
Track case

Keep a copy of your I-797 receipt + old EAD as proof of continued authorization

Document

Do NOT stop working — cap-gap lets you continue during the 180-day window

Action

Phase 7: After Receiving STEM OPT EAD

Ongoing reporting requirements while on STEM OPT

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Verify EAD shows category C(3)(C) and correct dates

Action

Submit I-983 to DSO and report new employer within 10 days of starting

Action

Update employer in the SEVP Portal (sevp.ice.gov/opt) — within 10 days

Online

Most students don't know this exists. After graduation you have direct access to update your own SEVIS record without going through your DSO. Login: SEVIS ID (N-number on I-20) + date of birth + passport number.

SEVP Portal

Complete 6-month I-983 self-evaluation with supervisor

Action

Required every 6 months throughout STEM OPT period

Report any employer changes to DSO AND update in SEVP Portal within 10 days (new I-983 required)

Action
SEVP Portal

Track unemployment days — max 150 days cumulative (includes OPT period)

Action
OPT Day Counter

Complete annual validation in SEVIS with your DSO

Action

Begin H-1B lottery process in March if you wish to stay after STEM OPT

Action
H-1B Checklist