F-1 24-Month STEM Optional Practical Training Extension (STEM OPT)

What is STEM OPT?

When do I apply for STEM OPT?

• As early as 90 days prior to and no later than the end of your current period of Post-Completion OPT
• All materials must be received by U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) by the expiration date on your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

• Step 1: Determine Eligibility
• Step 2: OGS STEM OPT Application
• Step 3: Prepare USCIS Application Materials
• Step 4: Submit USCIS Application
• Step 5: Manage Pending Application
• Step 6: Reporting Requirements
• Quick Links

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

To be eligible for STEM OPT, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Currently authorized for Post-Completion OPT
• Have a degree in a STEM field of study as reflected by the CIP code on page 1 of your Form I-20:
  • Eligible Georgetown degrees
  • Full STEM Designated Degree Program List: Prior STEM degree must have been conferred within the last 10 years by an institution that is currently certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Have a job or job offer that is:
  • directly related to your STEM CIP Code,
  • paid,
  • at least 20 hours per week,
  • with an employer enrolled in E-Verify, and
  • with an employer willing to complete the Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students.

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Required documentation:

• Form I-765: Regardless of filing method, applicants should reference the OGS STEM OPT FAQs and OGS Sample I-765 (PDF) for detailed instructions.
  • Online: If you are not creating a new USCIS account to file the I-765 at this time, log in and check your profile address. If it does not match the U.S. mailing address you will list in your STEM OPT I-765, we recommend submitting a change of address through USCIS before submitting the I-765 to facilitate the correct address appearing in all USCIS systems, including that used for EAD card shipment.
  • Institutional Accreditation: Leave this blank if you are filing based on your most recent degree.
• Form I-765 Filing Fee: Verify current amount on the USCIS I-765 website.
  • Online: Pay via credit, debit card, or U.S. bank checking account.
    • Payment may require one business day for processing.
    • Your application will be rejected if your credit card is declined or if your debit card or checking account has insufficient funds at time of payment.
  • Mail: Use a money order, personal check (see OGS’s sample check PDF), cashier’s check, or Form G-1450 for credit/debit card payment.
    • OGS has observed numerous rejected Form G-1450 card payments and recommends using another payment method if possible. If paying by card, refer to the USCIS Instructions for Form G-1450 and the USCIS Pay with a Credit Card website. Applicants using a non-card payment must not submit Form G-1450.
• New passport photo(s)
  • Must be taken within the last 30 days, i.e., a different photo than you submitted with your initial Post-Completion OPT application.
  • Online: Upload photo.
  • Mail: Include two photos with you SEVIS number written in pencil on the back of each.
• Image of your hand-signed Form I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation on page 2
• Images of previous I-20s that document periods of CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, Severe Economic Hardship, Special Student Relief and/or previous SEVIS numbers.
  • Online: Upload as unsolicited documents after submitting the I-765 application. Only the I-20 with your STEM OPT Recommendation should be uploaded in the I-20 Evidence section of the I-765.
  • Students missing previous I-20(s) (see list above) can write a letter explaining key details of their SEVIS history; see sample letter (.doc).
• Image(s) of all previous Employment Authorization Document(s) (EADs)
  • Online: Upload as unsolicited documents after submitting the I-765 application.
• Image of passport biographic page
  • Passport must be valid and unexpired at the time of application.
• Image of F-1 visa
  • An unexpired F-1 visa is not required at the time of OPT/STEM OPT application but is required for U.S. reentry during OPT/STEM OPT.
• Most recent I-94 proof of F-1 status
  • Do not include I-94 travel history.
• Evidence of your STEM degree
  • Official final transcript: Issued by the Registrar
  • Image of your Latin diploma with the generic English translation (PDF)
  • If filing online and on the basis of the same Georgetown degree used to request your current Post-Completion OPT authorization, leave the Institution Accreditation section blank.
  • If your STEM degree was not awarded by Georgetown, include website PDFs/printouts proving that your school is currently certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Mail: Form G-1145 is recommended for text/email notifications of application receipt.

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Step 4: Submit USCIS Application

• Deadline: OGS must first issue the Form I-20 recommending STEM OPT, and USCIS must receive your I-765 application no later than 60 days after OGS’s dated signature on page 1 and before the end of your Post-Completion OPT period (whichever comes first).
  • Applications received after the deadline are denied.
  • Avoid risk of missing the filing deadline and request a new Form I-20 from OGS if you have not yet applied to USCIS nearly or more than 60 days after OGS signed your I-20 recommending STEM OPT.
  • Online: The pay.gov payment system may require one business day for processing of the filing fee. Submit your application before the deadline to ensure the application is received on time.
  • As long as USCIS accepts your STEM OPT application for processing before the expiration of your current OPT, your work status will automatically be extended for an additional 180 calendar days or until your case is adjudicated, whichever is sooner. You can show the USCIS receipt notice alongside your Post-Completion OPT EAD card and your Form I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation to your employer as evidence of your ability to work during this period.
• Keep a copy: Applicants should keep evidence of exact documentation submitted to USCIS.
  • Online: Take screenshots of all information entered and documentation uploaded before final submission.
  • Mail: Keep a copy of all application materials.
• Online: Create or sign into your USCIS account.
  • Select “Application for Employment Authorization (I-765)”.
    • Complete and review all applicable sections. Read and sign the applicant’s agreement. Digitally sign your application. Pay the fee, and submit.
    • If you are not creating a new USCIS account to file the I-765 at this time, log in and check your profile address. If it does not match the U.S. mailing address you will list in your STEM OPT I-765, we recommend submitting a change of address through USCIS before submitting the I-765 to facilitate the correct address appearing in all USCIS systems, including that used for EAD card shipment.
  • OGS cannot help troubleshoot technical issues with online filing. See How to Create a USCIS Online Account.
• Mail filing: Find the applicable USCIS Lockbox address.
  • OGS recommends saving tracking confirmation of timely delivery.
• USCIS offers the option to pay a significant additional fee for I-765 adjudication within a shorter, defined period via Form I-907 Request for Premium Processing Service. After STEM OPT approval through Premium Processing, the wait time for EAD printing, mailing, and delivery may vary.

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Step 5: Manage Pending Application

• Read the OGS STEM OPT FAQs for advice on how to handle issues that might occur during the pendency of the STEM OPT application.
• Sign up for U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Informed Delivery for advance notice of mail from USCIS.
• USCIS confirms receipt of online applications in the USCIS account and of mailed applications by issuing Form I-797C. Verify all information on this notice is correct; contact OGS if you find any errors.
• Monitor your application via your online USCIS account or the USCIS Case Status website. Your application’s status may not change from ‘received’ for most of the processing time. You can find the current average processing time on USCIS’s website.
• Work in an eligible position to avoid accruing unemployment days. As long as USCIS accepts your STEM OPT application for processing before the expiration of your current OPT, your work status will automatically be extended for an additional 180 calendar days or until your case is adjudicated, whichever is sooner. You can show the USCIS receipt notice alongside your Post-Completion OPT EAD card and your Form I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation to your employer as evidence of your ability to work during this period.
• Contact OGS if you receive any USCIS correspondence other than confirmation of receipt/approval. Include a copy of the correspondence in your message to OGS.
• Prepare to receive your EAD card via USPS Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery.
• International travel is not recommended while your application is pending.

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Step 6: Reporting Requirements

Once your STEM OPT is approved, you’ll need to report your address and employment information regularly: STEM OPT Reporting Requirements

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Quick Links

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