If you are an F-1 student who has received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree
in science, technology, engineering or mathematics
(STEM majors )
from a
SEVP-certified school ,
you may apply for a 24-month extension of your Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Immigration regulations prescribe that students may participate in a STEM practical
training opportunity, only if the employer attests that
The employer has sufficient resources and personnel available and is prepared
to provide appropriate training in connection with the specified opportunity
at the location(s) specified on Form I-983 or its successor forms;
The student on the STEM OPT extension will not replace a full- or part-time,
temporary or permanent U.S. worker; and
The employment opportunity would assist the student in reaching his or her training goals.
8 CFR ยง 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(10)(i) - (iii).
The employer must also be enrolled and in good standing with E-Verify
(an electronic system for verification of employees' authorization to work) prior
to start of the student's employment. Students in STEMP OPT may change employers
so long as the employer meets the E-Verify requirement.
As with the regular OPT, the STEMP OPT work must be in the field of study in which
you received your degree.
Pursuant to a final rule published on March 11, 2016, as of May 10, 2016, the Department
of Homeland Security has increased the STEMP OPT extension period from 17 to 24 months.
While in STEM OPT extension period, the student may be unemployed up to 150 days before being
considered out of status.
Related Topics:
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
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