STEM OPT 24-Month Extension

Current USCIS Processing Times for OPT Applications: 
Click here to view USCIS's estimated case processing times. USCIS is currently experiencing serious delays in issuing I-765 receipt notices. Travel outside the U.S. with a pending, unreceipted application could be very risky. Please review the risks of travel with pending OPT or STEM OPT.

ALERT: USCIS announced on 7/29/2021 and 2/26/2021 flexibilities for OPT/STEM OPT Extension applicants affected by delayed receipt notices for the Form I-765. These flexibilities apply only to applications received on or after October 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021. See more information on our COVID-19 FAQ webpage

1) For standard 12-month OPT I-765 applications received through October 31, 2021, applications can be filed up to 120 days before the program end date (instead of the normal 90 days). This does NOT apply to STEM OPT Extension I-765 applications.

2) If you applied for 12-month OPT during this period and received an EAD with less than 12 months of OPT, contact BIO regarding how to request a correction.

3) If your OPT/STEM OPT I-765 application was rejected, contact BIO immediately regarding your options to refile before November 30, 2021.

STEM OPT 24-Month Extension

Eligible students currently on 12-Month OPT may qualify to apply for a 24-Month STEM OPTExtension to receive an additional 2 years of employment authorization directly related to their STEM degree program.  Detailed information for students and employers can also be found on the DHS webpage Study in the States OPT STEM Hub

UC Berkeley Departments hiring F-1 students on STEM OPT Extension should review the Hiring Scholars on F-1 OPT webpage.

Please consult with Berkeley International Office if you need help determining whether your employment qualifies as on-campus.

How to apply for STEM OPT

Eligible students may apply for a 24-Month STEM OPT Extension up to 90 days prior to the expiration of their OPT EAD. 

  1. Fully review the Berkeley International Office (BIO) 24-Month STEM Extension Tutorial 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.
  2. 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:
    1. Update all current & previous OPT employment
    2. Update your current address/email/phone
    3. Upload a copy of your OPT EAD
    4. Click the "Apply for STEM OPT Extension" link 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. 
  3. Also in your SSU Hub, submit your $490 Post-Completion Services Fee to BIO. Credit/Debit Card: Make your payment in your SSU Hub by clicking "Submit your STEM OPT Payment" link at the bottom of the SSU Hub homepage.
  4. BIO will issue you a new OPT I-20 with a 24-Month Extension recommendation. You will provide your delivery method for the I-20 in your SSU Hub form.
  5. Submit a 24-Month Extension request to USCIS. (Detailed instructions available in the STEM tutorial)

STEM Extension Criteria

The 2016 STEM Extension rule institutes includes the following criteria for the 24-Month F-1 STEM OPT Extension, including:

Duration Effective May 10, 2016 the STEM OPT Extension will be for 24 months. (Prior to May 10, 2016 the STEM Extension only provided a 17 month extension.)
STEM Application Period STEM applications may only be submitted up to 90 days prior to the initial 12-Month OPT EAD expiration.
Eligibility for 2nd STEM Extension 24-Month STEM OPT Extension regulations allow a total of 2 lifetime STEM Extensions, the 2nd after earning a new STEM-eligible degree at a higher level and obtaining a new, higher level of 12-Month OPT
Eligible Based on Previously Earned Degree May be based on a previously earned STEM Degree
STEM Definition and CIP Categories Not all areas of study can qualify for the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension. See STEM Definition and CIP Categories for the definition of STEM fields and eligible Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes,
Required Training Plan and Form I-983 Requires significant responsibility of the employer to provide a training plan related to the field of study, and attestations to wages and compensation being commensurate with "similarly situated U.S. workers"
Obligations for Students, Schools, and Employers 6 Month validation reports, annual evaluations, and submission of a new I-983 in case of material changes to the original I-983 are required. Employers must agree to Department of Homeland Security site visits, as well as provide attestations to wages and working conditions
Types of Employment Allowed
Volunteer/Unpaid positions and self employment are NOT allowed by the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension.
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.
Note: 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 form the US, students should avoid positions related to federally illegal substances.
  • 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.

Temp/Staffing Agencies, 3rd Party Worksites

  • Staffing and temporary agencies may employ students under the STEM OPT Extension 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 prior 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." Only the E-verified employer that provides the actual training relevant to the student's qualifying STEM degree is authorized to sign and complete the Form I-983. 
Unemployment Students with 24-Month STEM OPT Extensions may have up to 150 days of unemployment during the total OPT period including initial 12-Month and 24-Month STEM OPT Extension period.

STEM Reporting Requirements & Address/Employment Updates

There are significantly more reporting requirements while on STEM OPT Extension. Please see our OPT Reporting page for more information regarding your obligations during the STEM OPT Extension. This includes updating your personal or employment information, as well as how to comply with with special STEM 6-Month validation and Annual Evaluation requirements.

Changing Employers While on STEM

Please see our OPT Reporting page for more information regarding how to change your employer while on STEM OPT.

Travel while on STEM OPT

Please see our OPT Travel page for more information regarding what you need to travel with while on STEM OPT.

Additional STEM OPT Extension Documents

In some special STEM OPT Extension cases, you may need to submit additional documentation to USCIS with your STEM application. Review below to see if you will require additional documentation.

Concurrent H-1B & STEM Applications

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.)

CIP Code/Major Name Mismatch

In some cases, your UC Berkeley Major Name on your transcript/diploma and 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.

ALERT: BIO is currently accepting DocuSign or copy/pasted e-signatures on the I-983.

STEM OPT Tutorial

OPT 24 month extension tutorial cover

Fall 2021 STEM OPT Document Workshop Schedule

Fall 2021 STEM OPT Document Check Workshop flyer

International Student Hiring Guide

Informing U.S. employers of work authorization options

Useful Employment and Career Links