{"id":816,"date":"2024-05-08T09:01:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T13:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/iso\/?page_id=816"},"modified":"2026-06-30T13:18:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T17:18:27","slug":"stem","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/iso\/current-students\/working\/f-1-opt\/stem\/","title":{"rendered":"STEM OPT Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":656,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-816","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"lead_in":"","display_title":"F-1 OPT: STEM Extensions","subtitle":"","call_to_action":"","hero_image_placement":"no_image","hero_media":"images","hero_pattern_option":"","hero_video":"","hero_image_landing":"","hero_image_landing_two":"","hero_image_landing_three":"","content_modules":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"pt-15 mt-0","title":"","description":"F-1 students who have completed a degree in an eligible STEM field may be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their Post-Completion OPT.\r\n\r\nPlease review the information on this page for detailed guidance on eligibility, the application process, and reporting requirements. To gain a thorough understanding of this work authorization benefit, we also recommend watching the recorded STEM OPT workshop<\/a><\/strong>.\r\n

Overview of the program<\/strong><\/h2>","background":"plain","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"no","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Who is eligible for STEM OPT?","icon":"","row_content":"The program is specifically for students who\u2019ve finished a US degree program in a STEM-designated field<\/a> (that\u2019s Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics). You must be within the last 90 days of an active Post-Completion OPT authorization in order to apply for the STEM OPT extension.\r\n\r\nEligible students can apply for this benefit based on a previous STEM degree earned in the US<\/strong>, provided it was completed within 10 years of the school\u2019s recommendation for the new STEM Extension.","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"How long\u2014and how many times\u2014is STEM Extension OPT granted?","icon":"","row_content":"STEM Extension OPT is granted for 24 months. <\/strong>This comes after you\u2019ve successfully completed a 12-month OPT period.\r\n\r\nThe STEM Extension is available twice during a student\u2019s lifetime<\/strong>, provided the second authorization must follow the completion of a higher-level STEM degree compared to your first approved extension.","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Are there unemployment limits?","icon":"","row_content":"During the authorized 24-month STEM Extension, a 150-day unemployment limit<\/strong> is available as an aggregate total over the three years of OPT and STEM Extension periods combined. This applies to the combined three years of OPT and Stem Extension.","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Understanding the Form I-983 Training Plan","icon":"","row_content":"The Form I-983 Training Plan<\/a> is a required document for students participating in the STEM OPT extension. It serves as a formal agreement between the student and employer, outlining how the employment opportunity provides structured, supervised training directly related to the student\u2019s field of study. Please visit the ISO webpage<\/a> for more guidance on completing the Form I-983 Training Plan.\r\n

The Form I-983 Training Plan must be maintained between the student and their employer, describing specific training goals, methods for achieving those goals, the performance evaluation process, and the supervision plan throughout the STEM Extension period. If there are any material changes to your employment or training plan, you must update and submit a revised Form I-983 to ISO within 10 days of the change. Learn more about reporting change requirements<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Learn about completing the Form I-983 Training Plan<\/a><\/p>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"What are employer requirements?","icon":"","row_content":"Employers must agree to certain employer responsibilities and criteria<\/strong> to host a STEM Extension trainee, including enrollment in E-Verify, verification of annual evaluations; protections for US workers under comparable duties, hours, and compensation; and reporting to ISO. Employers may also be subject to site visits from the US Department of Homeland Security to evaluate the training resources and structure.","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"pt-0 pb-0","title":"","content":"

","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"eligibility","classes":"","title":"

Eligibility<\/strong><\/h2>","description":"Eligible F-1 students may apply for the OPT STEM Extension<\/a> with a recommendation from their current sponsoring academic institution. Explore qualifications for this program below.","background":"plain","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"no","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Eligibility requirements","icon":"","row_content":"Here\u2019s what you need to qualify:\r\n