STEM Extension
S=Science T=Technology E=Engineering M=Mathematics
If your most recent degree has been completed in a STEM field provided on the list http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm approved by the federal government, than an application for an extension of 17 months for post completion OPT may be filed. The application for an extension may be filed, given that certain conditions are met.
- You are already authorized for a 12 month period of OPT and are working for a U.S. employer in a field directly related to your major area of study
- When applying for the extension, you must have a job offer or be employed by an employer registered with E-Verify, the federal employment verification system
- You must not have already received a STEM extension
To apply for the STEM extension, you must ask to receive a recommendation by International Student Services. Once you have received approval from the international student advisor, you will be issued a new I-20. You must then file a completed Form I-795 with fee, to the proper USCIS processing center that has jurisdiction over your current U.S. place of residence. This must be done before your OPT authorization period expires. If your EAD card expires while the application is pending, you may continue to work up until authorization is approved or for 180 days, whichever comes first. You can not travel outside of the United States on an expired EAD card under any circumstance. You must wait until you have received your new EAD card to be en route.
During the 29 month period of OPT authorization, you may not accrue more than 120 days of unemployment. You will have violated your F-1 visa status, and your future U.S. immigration benefits may be affected by your dates of unemployment, that which your application(s) can be denied.
