Carnegie Mellon University

Office of International Education

Office of Enrollment Management

Office of Enrollment Management  ›  Office of International Education  ›  Employment  ›  F-1 Students  ›  Optional Practical Training (OPT) & STEM OPT Extension  ›  OPT STEM Extension

OPT STEM Extension

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT) extension is a 24-month period of temporary work authorization opportunity for F-1 students that directly relates to their field of study in an approved STEM field. Certain F-1 students with degrees in a designated STEM Field may be eligible for a 24-Month extension period of OPT. 

You and your employer must meet the following requirements:

  • You must have completed your degree in a designated STEM field from an SEVP certified institution within the last 10 years and may not have already utilized this degree to apply for a STEM extension of OPT.
  • You must be an F-1 student who is currently engaged in post-completion OPT with a job or job offer from a participating E-Verify employer in a position directly related to your STEM major field of study.
  • Your employer must be registered in the E-Verify database. CMU is not an E-verified employer for STEM OPT purposes, so if you are employed by CMU you are not eligible for a STEM OPT extension with your CMU employment.
  • You must be a paid employee, working at least 20 hrs/week, and your work must be directly related to your STEM degree. Self-employment is not considered eligible for STEM OPT.
  • You must submit a completed Form I-983  Training Plan with all attestations and supporting documentation to OIE to request an I-20 with a recommendation for the 24-month STEM extension I-20.
  • You must file Form I-765, with all required documentation and filing fee to USCIS to request the STEM OPT extension within 90 days before your OPT EAD end date.
  • Your application must be received by USCIS within 60 days of the STEM OPT Recommendation in SEVIS, or the application will be denied. If you cannot meet this deadline, you will need to contact OIE for a new I-20.
  1. Complete a STEM I-20 Request e-Form through the MyOIE Portal. 
    1. Complete the I-983 form, also accessible through the e-Form.

      1. OIE will accept a verified digital signature on the I-983 from the student and employer signatory. An example of a "verified digital signature" is a digital signature through DocuSign or Adobe software. In contrast, a typed name in a plain text field is not a verified digital signature.

      2. You can find the list of current DSOs. Use the following contact information on your I-983 form: OIE, CMU, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 412-268-5231, oie@andrew.cmu.edu.
    2. Complete the 24-month STEM extension planning tool, also accessible through the e-Form.
    3. Include a copy of your EAD(s).
  2. Apply for 24-month STEM OPT extension authorization with USCIS. Refer to the STEM OPT PowerPoint for details. Students are also welcome to reference our I-765 instructions and our sample I-765 when preparing their applications.

Once approved for STEM OPT, your start date will begin the day after your initial OPT ends. You do not choose the dates. You are eligible for two STEM OPT extensions in your lifetime. You can continue to work while the application is pending for 180 days, even if you do not receive your new EAD before the end of your initial 12-month period of OPT. During this time you will still be required to comply with the STEM OPT reporting requirements and deadlines. Failure to do so could result in losing your immigration status and employment authorization.

If you are engaged in a period of 24-month STEM OPT extension, you cannot be unemployed for an aggregate of more than 150 days (90 days on Post-OPT, plus an additional 60 days on STEM OPT).

MyOIE Portal

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