24-Month STEM Extension
Students whose primary degree is in a qualified STEM field are qualified to receive an extension of the Standard OPT period. The STEM extension extends the period of OPT for an additional 24 months beyond the initial post-completion OPT period, for a total of 36 months.
Students should refer to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Study In The States website for much more information, including eligibility, instructions on completing Form I-983, and reporting requirements for both students and employers.
- Students currently in a non-STEM degree can be eligible for a STEM OPT extension based on a previous STEM degree obtained in the U.S. from an accredited institution.
- There is a new expanded list of STEM eligible CIP codes.
- The student and employer will be required to complete Form I-983; more information about this form and how to fill it out can be found here.
- Volunteering is not permitted on the STEM OPT extension.
- Students’ compensation must be commensurate to similarly situated U.S. workers.
- Self-employment is not permitted.
- Employment must be full-time or at least 20 hours per week.
- Small start-up companies: May be possible, as long as the employer has an EIN, and is enrolled in E-Verify, the student is considered an “employee”, and a supervisor can complete the I-983.
F-1 students are eligible for 2 lifetime STEM Extensions. If you enroll in a new academic program in the U.S. in the future and earn another qualifying STEM degree at a higher educational level, you may be eligible for a second period of 24-month STEM OPT.
- Applications must not be submitted to USCIS earlier than 90 days before the OPT End Date. Failure to follow these requirements will result in a Denial from USCIS.
- Prepare the Form I-983 with your employer. Refer to the Form I-983 instructions hyperlink for assistance in completing the form.
- Complete Online STEM OPT Extension Request on the ISSDeacs website
- Contact iss@wfu.edu if you have trouble logging in. Remember to use the non WFU email that you provided to ISS at the time of your OPT application to login, not your WFU email.
- Once your STEM OPT I-20 is processed, you will receive instructions on how to access a digital copy of your STEM OPT I-20.
- Please refer to the Checklist in the ISSDeacs application for instructions on how to file your STEM OPT STEM Extension request online with USCIS.
- USCIS can take 90 days or more to adjudicate the STEM extension application.
Students on an approved STEM extension have various reporting responsibilities:
- 6-month Reporting Requirement: Students on an approved STEM extension are required to report details of their employment every 6 months, even if there is no change to their employment details. To report employment, complete the online form here: OPT Employment Update
- Annual Self-Evaluation: Annual Self Evaluations are found on page 5 of the I-983, they must be submitted to the ISS at Wake Forest, not USCIS. Students on an approved STEM extension are required to complete and submit the first “Evaluation of Student Progress” portion of the Form I-983 with the 12-month employment report. At the end of the STEM OPT extension or when reporting the end of an instance of STEM OPT employment, a student must complete and submit the I-983 Final Self Evaluation.
- Change of Employment: Remember that in order to change your employment during your OPT STEM Extension you must submit a new Form I-983 training plan and written verification that you are no longer working for your previous employer. For more information, please visit: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students-stem-opt-reporting-requirements
DHS is permitted to conduct employer site visits to confirm that training plan goals are being met.
What if I have to have more than one employer during my period of STEM OPT?
You MUST complete a new I-983 and associated updates for each employer.
What if I fail to submit an annual self-evaluation?
An F-1 student who fails to submit an annual self-evaluation is not abiding by the reporting requirements of STEM OPT. While there are no immediate repercussions, failure to maintain proper reporting status can jeopardize a student’s future eligibility to remain in the U.S.
What if I forgot to update WFU ISS regarding my employment or address information? How do I update this?
For students currently using the STEM extension, remember that you may NOT report a change of employment or begin working for a new employer before submitting a new I-983 training plan to iss@wfu.edu. You can report your updated address by completing a Contact Information Update in ISSDeacs. All changes to employment, personal, and contact information must be reported to the Wake Forest ISS Office within 10 days of the change.
Can I change from one employer to another during STEM OPT?
Yes. Each instance of employment must be full time or at least 20 hours per week, each employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, you must meet all STEM OPT reporting requirements for each employer, and you MUST provide a complete I-983 for each employer.
Can I work for more than one employer at the same time?
Yes. You must report all changes in employment to the Wake Forest ISS Office. When reporting the end of an instance of STEM OPT Employment students must provide a completed I-983 Final Self Evaluation including employer signature.
How many unemployment days do I have under STEM OPT?
Up to 150 days of unemployment time (90 days from initial 12-month period of OPT, plus 60 additional days of unemployment time during the STEM extension); Any unused days from the initial period of OPT roll over into the STEM extension period.
For more detailed information on student reporting responsibilities on STEM OPT, please visit: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students-stem-opt-reporting-requirements