STEM OPT 24-Month Extension

To be eligible for the STEM OPT Extension OPT:

• You must be a recipient of a U.S. Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) designated degree program. You can check if your UCB major is STEM eligible using the Berkeley International Office UCB Major/CIP Code List OR see the current STEM Designated Degree list linked here. (You can check the CIP code listed on your I-20.) You can apply based on any previous STEM degree from an SEVP, accredited U.S. institution within the last 10 years.
• You must be currently authorized for 12-month OPT and have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment.
• You must be employed for at least 20 hours per week (or have a future job offer) directly related to your STEM field of study from an employer who is registered in the USCIS E-Verify Program.
• Your employer must have an EIN number.
• Employment must be paid and "commensurate with the terms and conditions of employment for other similarly situated U.S. workers in the area of employment”. Volunteer (unpaid) employment is NOT permitted.
• Your employer is able to fully complete the Form I-983 and abide by all employer obligations, including Dept. of Homeland Security Site visits.
• You are applying no more than 90 days before your 12-month OPT expires and no later than the expiration of your 12-month OPT EAD*

* For E-filed applications, USCIS uses UTC or Coordinated Universal Time to determine the time/date filed. If you are filing CLOSE to your deadline check the UTC time/date of filing!

YES! You must be employed or have a future job offer for at least 20 hours per week or more, directly related to your STEM field of study from an employer who is registered in the USCIS E-Verify Program. STEM-eligible employers must have e-Verify & EIN numbers and the student must have a "bona fide employer-employee relationship". To establish a bona fide relationship, the employer may not be the student’s “employer” in name only. Employment must be paid and "commensurate with the terms and conditions of employment for other similarly situated U.S. workers in the area of employment”. Volunteer (unpaid) employment is NOT permitted.

See the Employment/Unemployment section below regarding what types of employment are allowed.

During your pending STEM OPT application and after the  STEM OPT approval by USCIS, F-1 students will remain in F-1 status under the I-20 sponsorship of UC Berkeley. The STEM OPT Extension  is a benefit of your F-1 status and extends your ability to remain in the United States for the purpose of seeking employment in your STEM field of study. This means that you will continue to use your UC Berkeley STEM OPT I-20 and F-1 documents to travel and you will still need to get fresh travel signatures from BIO (every 6 months). This also means that BIO is still responsible for reporting changes about your status to SEVIS and helping you maintain your F-1 status while you are on OPT.

Yes, you will need a Social Security Number (SSN) for any paid employment in the United States. If you haven’t already received an SSN during your OPT period, you can apply for a replacement SSN as part of your STEM OPT application to USCIS. (Or if you lost your original SSN card, you can apply for a replacement at that time.) You will not receive the SSN card until after your STEM OPT is approved.

The STEM OPT application process involves two major parts. First you must apply to BIO for a STEM OPT recommendation on your I-20. Then you must submit a STEM OPT application, including a signed copy of your STEM OPT I-20, to USCIS. Keep in mind that BIO has a 5-business day processing time for the STEM I-20. (You must submit your STEM I-20 request AT LEAST 2 weeks before your current OPT EAD expires).

• You can apply for STEM OPT extension up to 90 days before the expiration of your OPT EAD card.
• USCIS must receive your application before the expiration date of your OPT EAD card. Check your OPT EAD card for the expiration date.*
• USCIS must also receive your application within 60 days of when BIO recommends your I-20 for STEM OPT extension.
• You must be physically present in the United States at the time USCIS receives your STEM OPT application. More details are available in the STEM OPT tutorial.

* For E-filed applications, USCIS uses UTC or Coordinated Universal Time to determine the time/date filed. If you are filing CLOSE to your deadline check the UTC time/date of filing!

Generally, BIO recommends applying for STEM OPT as early as possible. Applying early increases your chances of being able to reapply if your application is rejected or denied.

Step 1. Check if your UCB major is STEM eligible using the Berkeley International Office UCB Major/CIP Code List OR see the current STEM Designated Degree list linked here. (You can check the CIP code listed on your I-20.)

Step 2. Review the STEM OPT tutorial for a complete overview of the process. for detailed instructions on both the BIO application process and submission to USCIS. Pay careful attention to the tutorial as it contains specific information as to how to complete the I-983. It is required that you view the tutorial prior to applying. Failure to fully review the tutorial may result in application errors and cause OPT denials or violations of F-1 status.

Step 3. Log in to the Student SEVIS Update (SSU) system to submit your STEM application to BIO. (Follow all steps carefully as most processing delays are due to failure to update all new required fields in SSU.) You must:

• Update all current & previous OPT employment
• Update your current address/email/phone
• Upload a copy of your OPT EAD
• Click the "Apply for STEM OPT Extension" link at the bottom of the SSU Hub homepage to start your application. You will be asked to identify your STEM employer, provide additional information and upload a copy of Form I-983 Training Plan.

Step 4. Submit your $550 Post-Completion Services Fee to BIO.Credit/Debit Card: Make your payment in your SSU Hub by clicking the "Submit STEM OPT Post-Completion Fee Payment" link at the bottom of the SSU Hub homepage.

Step 5. BIO will issue you a new STEM OPT I-20 with a 24-Month Extension recommendation. You will provide your delivery method for the I-20 in your SSU Hub form (email recommended!) Your new I-20 will be ready within 5 business days. Upon receipt of your I-20, please review it closely for accuracy.

Step 6. Submit a 24-Month STEM Extension request to USCIS. (Detailed instructions available in the STEM OPT tutorial)

You don’t need to choose a start date! Your STEM OPT will be issued with a start date effective the day after your original 12-Month OPT EAD expires. As long as you have submitted a timely filed STEM application to USCIS, you can continue working for up to 180 days after the expiration of your original OPT EAD while you wait for the STEM EAD approval.

BIO I-20 Processing
Processing time for an OPT STEM I-20 from Berkeley International Office is 5 business days. Expedites from BIO are not available.

USCIS Processing Time
Check USCIS’s current OPT and STEM OPT processing times.(link is external) Select  Form: “I-765”Form Category: “Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]” Service Center: “Potomac Service Center”.  (Over the years, BIO has observed processing times ranging from 1-5 months, with most processed within 90 days.) 

USCIS does offer "Premium Processing" for the OPT and STEM OPT I-765. See below.

"Premium Processing" is available from USCIS for the form I-765 for OPT and OPT STEM Extensions.

What is premium processing?

• USCIS will process your OPT/STEM I-765 request within 30 days of submission of the fully completed I-907 form.

How can I request premium processing?

• File the Form I-907 online via your USCIS account. For more information see How Do I Request Premium Processing?
• March 6-April 2, 2023: You can file an online I-907 form via your USCIS online account. You must have an ALREADY pending I-765 with receipt notice.
• April 3, 2023 or later- You can file the I-907 online together with your OPT I-765, or submit an I-907 for an already pending OPT I-765 request.

Is it worth it?

• BIO recommends that you think carefully before choosing premium processing. Check current USCIS Processing times for “I-765” “Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]” with “Potomac Service Center”

• Also remember that as long as you have filed your STEM OPT I-765 on time, you can continue working for up to 180 days past the expiration of your OPT EAD while you wait for your STEM EAD to be approved.

Are there any other ways to expedite a USCIS request free of cost?
USCIS almost always denies F-1 student expedite requests for OPT. You can find USCIS expedite criteria here.

See the OPT STEM tutorial for common STEM denial reasons. Contact BIO as soon as possible regarding the error, and we will see what options are available to you.

If this is your situation, please contact BIO to speak to an international student adviser as soon as possible so that we can advise you on next steps.

Filing an H-1B and a STEM applications concurrently can sometimes cause complications in your SEVIS record. You should only apply for an OPT STEM Extension before your OPT EAD expires, even if you have received a H1-B Cap Gap Extension of your I-20 until Sept 30. (If your company has applied for an H1B on your behalf via consular processing, you will not be eligible for a cap gap, so you will not need either of letters.) If you are planning to file for an H-1B and STEM at the same time, BIO recommends including one of the following letters with your STEM Extension application to USCIS:

• STEM/Cap-Gap Letter: Include this letter if a Cap-Gap Extension appears on your STEM OPT I-20 on page 2. Example: 
• STEM/H1B Letter: Include this letter if NO Cap-Gap Extension currently appears on your I-20, but your employer has already filed a USCIS change of status H-1B for you AND your OPT expires before 9/30. (Does NOT apply to consular processing H1-Bs.)

In some cases, your UC Berkeley Major Name on your transcript/diploma does not match the CIP Code name listed on page 1 of your I-20. BIO recommends that students in these “CIP Code/Major Name Mismatch” programs submit a letter of explanation with the STEM application to avoid any confusion by USCIS. If you are in one of the following programs or majors, please print the letter for your program and include it with your STEM application to USCIS.

• Agricultural and Resource Economics
• Applied Science and Technology
• Architecture MS and PhD (Building Science, Technology and Sustainability subplan only)
• Data Science BA
• Development Practice
• Economics
• Environmental Economics & Policy
• Geography
• Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning PhD
• Landscape Architecture MLA
• Logic and the Methodology of Science
• Master of Advanced Architectural Design (MAAD)
• Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of City Planning (MCP) 
• Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) Financial Mathematics
• Master of Journalism (MJ)
• Master of Real Estate Development + Design (MRED+D)
• Master of Translational Medicine (MTM)
• Master of Urban Design (MUD)
• Metabolic Biology MS and PhD
• Public Policy MPP and PhD
• Psychology
• Society and Environment

If you E-FILE, you will be able to track your Case Status via your online USCIS account.

Note that your application will most likely stay in received status for the entirety of the processing time until it is approved. Check USCIS’s current OPT and STEM OPT processing times. Select Form: “I-765”Form Category: “Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]” Service Center: “Potomac Service Center”. (Over the years, BIO has observed processing times ranging from 1-5 months, with most processed within 90 days.)

The first week: E-FILE: You should receive your receipt notice online through your USCIS account. If there are any errors in the receipt notice in your name, address, or application type, contact a BIO adviser.

Within 30-45 days: You will also receive an I-797c receipt notice at your mailing address confirming the date of receipt and your receipt number. Keep this notice safe as it is your official proof that your OPT application was submitted. You may need it for travel or other purposes.

Around 1-3 months: You should receive an I-797 Notice of Approval letter and EAD card at your mailing address. (If E-FILING you will also receive the notice in your USCIS account.) These can come separately or at the same time. Check your EAD card to make sure all information is correct and upload it to BIO's SSU Hub. Be sure to update your employer with your new EAD card! If there are any errors on the EAD, contact a BIO adviser. Check USCIS’s current OPT and STEM OPT processing times. Select Form: “I-765”Form Category: “Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]” Service Center: “Potomac Service Center”. (Over the years, BIO has observed processing times ranging from 1-5 months, with most processed within 90 days.)

2 Weeks after receiving EAD card: if you requested a new Social Security card, you should receive your Social Security Card in the mail.

Generally, after your STEM OPT application is submitted to USCIS, you cannot change any of the information except for your mailing address. Click here for information about making changes to your STEM OPT Extension application, including withdrawing your application.

As long as you have submitted a timely filed STEM application to USCIS, you can continue working for up to 180 days after the expiration of your original OPT EAD while you wait for the STEM EAD approval. You may need to provide your employer with a copy of your I-765 receipt notice as evidence that the application is still pending. If your employer has questions, you can direct them to the USCIS I-9 page for “Foreign Academic Students”.

You would need to stop working immediately. Contact BIO if you are nearing your limit, and we can try to contact USCIS about your case.

Travel during the STEM OPT application process is allowed, but not always recommended as it poses certain risks.  See our OPT Travel page for information on these risks as well as to learn about other requirements for travel while STEM OPT is pending.

There are several types of problems that may occur during your OPT application:

• Delayed processing
• Not receiving your I-797c Receipt Notice
• Not receiving your EAD/EAD (lost in the mail)
• Request for Evidence, Denial, or Rejection (CONTACT BIO ADVISOR BEFORE RESPONDING TO USCIS!)
• Lost EAD or Incorrect EAD

See Issues with OPT Application for further information and instructions. Please contact your BIO Advisor if you are experiencing issues.

As long as you have submitted a timely filed STEM application to USCIS, you can continue working for up to 180 days after the expiration of your original OPT EAD while you wait for the STEM EAD approval.

• STEM-eligible employers must have e-Verify & EIN numbers and the student must have a "bona fide employer-employee relationship". To establish a bona fide relationship, the employer may not be the student’s “employer” in name only.
• You must be employed or have a future job offer directly related to your STEM field of study
• The job must be at least 20 or more hours per week
• Volunteer/Unpaid positions and self employment are NOT allowed by the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension.
• Cannabis Industry- be aware that use and sale of cannabis is illegal at the federal level, although it may be legal in some U.S. states. To avoid possible deportation or inadmissibility from the US, students should avoid positions related to federally illegal substances.

According to USCIS Guidance:

• Under no circumstances would another F-1 student on OPT or a STEM OPT Extension be qualified to train another F-1 student on a STEM OPT Extension.
• The employer that signs the Form I-983 must be the same entity that provides the practical training experience to the student.
• The employer has sufficient resources and personnel available to provide appropriate training in connection with the STEM opportunity at the location(s) specified in the Form I-983.
• The “personnel” who provide/supervise the training experience may be either employees of the employer, or contractors who the employer has directly retained to provide services to the employer; they may not be employees or contractors of the employer’s clients or customers.
• DHS will review on a case-by-case basis whether the student will be a bona fide employee of the employer signing the Training Plan, and verify that the employer that signs the Training Plan is the same entity that employs the student and provides the practical training experience.

• Staffing and temporary agencies may employ students under the STEM OPT program, but only if they will be the entity that provides the practical training experience to the student and they have and maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student.
• STEM OPT participants may engage in a training experience that takes place at a site other than the employer’s principal place of business as long as all of the training obligations are met, including that the employer has and maintains a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student.
• A STEM OPT employer may not assign, or otherwise delegate, its training responsibilities to a non-employer third party (e.g., a client/customer of the employer, employees of the client/customer, or contractors of the client/customer).
• According to guidance from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program If a student uses a temporary or staffing agency to place them in a training opportunity, the agency cannot complete and sign the Form I-983, "Training Plan for STEM OPT Students" unless:
  • The staffing/placement agency is an E-verified employer of the student,
  • The staffing/placement agency provides and oversees the training.

• During 12-month OPT you have a maximum of 90 days of unemployment over the 12 month period. During the STEM period you are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment.
• After your STEM OPT Extension approval, the total allowed unemployment days extends to a maximum of 150 days of unemployment during the entire OPT/STEM period, beginning from the start of your original 12-month OPT EAD card.
• This is NOT just 150 days at the beginning of OPT or STEM. You are only allowed 150 total days over the entire 3 years.

Federal regulations require that all employment that you engage in while on STEM OPT be directly related to your STEM major. As part of your STEM OPT authorization process, you’ll need to complete an I-983 Training plan for any new employer and explain the direct relation to your STEM major.

If the relationship between the job and a student's field of study is called into question by USCIS in the future, the burden of proof is on the student to demonstrate the relationship. BIO won't be able to advise you on specifically which jobs do/do not qualify as we are not experts in your field of study. If you need assistance determining the fit of a job offer, we recommend discussing this with your academic adviser, the Berkeley Career Engagement Center, or others in your field.

It is recommended that students maintain evidence for each job: the position held, duration of that position, the job title, contact information for the student’s supervisor or manager, and a description of the work. Students must always report employment to BIO online through our Student SEVIS Update (SSU) form. See OPT Reporting Requirements.

It’s possible to change employers during the STEM period, or have multiple employers. You need to request authorization on your STEM I-20 in advance of beginning any new position. Each and every job during the STEM period must meet all STEM requirements:

• Each job must be at least 20 hours per week and be directly related to your STEM field of study
• Your employer is registered in the USCIS E-Verify Program and has an EIN number.
• Your employer must fully complete the Form I-983 and abide by all employer obligations, including Dept. of Homeland Security Site visits.
• Volunteer/Unpaid positions and self employment are NOT allowed by the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension.

Federal law requires that you must update your employer information in BIO's online Student SEVIS Update (SSU) within 10 days of the change. See OPT Reporting Requirements for step-by-step instructions on how to add the new employer to your STEM I-20.

During the period of OPT authorization, a student should be working or actively seeking employment.

The top 5 rules to remember while on STEM OPT are:

1. All employment must be STEM eligible and authorized on your I-20
2. You must report all employment and address changes to BIO within 10 days of any change (see Reporting Requirements).
3. You must submit validation or Evaluation reports every 6 months via the BIO SSU Hub, a total of 4 validations in total over 24-month OPT STEM Extension time. (See Reporting Requirements).
   • 2 6-Month Validation Reports (at 6 and 18 months)
   • 2 Annual or Final Evaluation reports (at 12 and 24 months)
4. You are limited to 150 days of unemployment from the start of your 12-month OPT EAD until the end of your STEM OPT EAD.
5. The travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 is valid only 6 months while on STEM. OPT.

STEM OPT has very specific reporting requirements. You submit all updates online via the BIO SSU Hub.

• You must report any changes to your employment, address, and/or name within 10 days.
• You must report Material Changes to your I-983 to BIO within 10 days.
• You must complete a validation report every 6 months. During your 12 and 24 Month validation, you are required to submit an Evaluation of Student Progress (Page 5 of the I-983)
• You must complete a Final Evaluation (page 5 of the I-983) if you end an employer

See STEM Reporting Requirements for instructions on how to submit updates, validations, and evaluations.

Time spent going to school should only be an incidental part of your stay in the United States. You must be maintaining the primary purpose of STEM OPT. Beginning a full-time or degree-seeking program of study while on OPT is not allowed.

If you decide to go back to school full-time, you will need to transfer your SEVIS Record and I-20 to the new school. If returning to UC Berkeley, you'll need to obtain a new I-20 to reflect your new degree. See Going back to school in the United States below.

While on STEM OPT, you are subject to all applicable federal, state, and local taxes and must file a tax report. See more information at Taxes in the U.S.

Students who complete a program of study are no longer eligible to purchase a Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Health insurance is highly recommended due to the high cost of health care in the United States.

The Tang Center has information about insurance plans that can be purchased after graduation. BIO is aware of the following providers that have F-1 OPT health insurance options. BIO does not endorse any particular plans, and students should research and compare plans to determine if the coverage is sufficient for their needs.

• Compass Student Insurance: https://www.studenthealthusa.com/
• Cultural Insurance Services International: https://www.culturalinsurance.com/
• International Student Insurance: https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/student-health-insurance/
• International Student Protection: http://intlstudentprotection.com/ISO Insurance: https://www.isoa.org/
• PGH Global: https://www.pghstudent.com/
• PSI Health Insurance: https://www.psiservice.com/

Please see our OPT Travel page for more information regarding what you need to know about travel while on pending or approved  STEM OPT.

A Cap-Gap Extension extends an eligible F-1 student's status between the end of F-1 status while on STEM OPT and start of H-1B status. This allows the student to remain in the United States during the "gap."

If your plan is to depart the United States after your STEM OPT, you must do so within your 60-day grace period. You must stop working by the end date on your STEM EAD card.

If you are leaving the United States before the end date on your EAD, you must report this to Berkeley International Office so we can update your SEVIS record. See Reporting the Early Completion of your OPT for step-by-step instructions.

During STEM OPT: If you are approved for a change of visa status during your OPT, you must report this to Berkeley International Office so we can update your SEVIS record. See Reporting the Early Completion of your OPT for step-by-step instructions

After OPT: If you have a pending or approved change of status when or after your OPT ends, check with the immigration legal counsel working on your change of status application to determine what options are available to you and if you may remain in the United States past the end of your 60-day grace period without a negative impact to your immigration status

H-1B: If you have a pending or approved change of status to H-1B, you may be eligible for a Cap-Gap Extension I-20. Please consult with the immigration legal counsel working on your case.

During STEM OPT: Beginning a full-time program of study while on STEM OPT is not allowed. If you wish to start a new program while on STEM OPT, the remainder of the STEM OPT must be forfeited before beginning classes with the new program. If you are beginning a program of study at another U.S. school, you must request a Transfer Out of your F-1 SEVIS record to another school. If you are beginning a new program of study at UC Berkeley, you must request a Change of Level I-20. See Reporting the Early Completion of your OPT for step-by-step instructions

After STEM OPT: If you are planning to go back to school after your STEM OPT, you will need to request a Transfer Out of your F-1 SEVIS record to another school or request a Change of Level I-20 if returning to UC Berkeley. This must be done before the end of the 60-day grace period following the STEM OPT end date.

• Students should keep in mind the following points when deciding on when to request a Transfer Out of their SEVIS record:
• The SEVIS transfer release date can be within the STEM OPT period dates listed on the EAD or up to 60 days after the expiration date on the EAD.
• Students may request a release date in the future and continue working on STEM OPT until that date as long as the EAD has not expired and the new program of study has not yet begun.
• After the SEVIS transfer release date has passed, students may not continue working on STEM OPT, even if the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has not expired. The release date, in effect, cancels the EAD.
• Classes at the new school must begin within 5 months of the transfer release date or the end date on the EAD, whichever is earlier. If the time period between the OPT end date and the start date of classes at the new school will be more than five months, please meet with a BIO adviser to discuss your options.

If interested in joining a program that does not have the authorization to admit F-1 students and thus cannot issue an I-20, students should discuss their options with the International Student Adviser at that school.