STEM Extension

General Information

F-1 students who have completed bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields may be eligible for an additional 24-month STEM extension of post-completion OPT (for a total eligibility of up to 36 months).

Students who have completed a STEM designated degree program are eligible for the extension. If you believe your area of study is classified as a STEM field, you can contact an OIS advisor via email and OIS will verify your eligibility.

 

Eligibility

  • Must currently be on post-completion OPT and working for a U.S. employer in a job related to your major area of study. You cannot apply for the STEM extension before having an approved post-completion OPT. You also cannot apply for the STEM extension after your post-completion OPT has ended. 
  • Verified completion of a degree on the STEM Designated Degree Programs List.
  • Must have employment offer directly related to the STEM field of study. 
  • Job offer must be from an E-verified employer.
  • Employment must be paid. Volunteering and self-employment will not qualify.
  • Employment must be 20 hours per week or more.
  • There should be a direct supervisor-supervisee training relationship, which will be documented by the form I-983.
  • Must file STEM application before current OPT ends.
  • You agree to report to OIS any change in your employment status.

Please also note that F-1 students must be in the United States to submit an application for the STEM Extension.

  • OPT Maintenance of Status Fee

    Updated March 14, 2025

    During your studies as an F-1 student at Fordham University, you paid a fee per year for the purposes of maintaining your status, funding programming and providing additional staffing at OIS. Once you complete your studies, such charges stop. However, as you know, if you apply for OPT after graduation you remain under our F-1 sponsorship and continually receive our services. Currently at OIS, we serve more F-1 students receiving OPT benefits than our entire current international undergraduate population.

    As a consequence of this increased demand for services, starting February 18, 2020, we introduced a new OPT Maintenance of Status Fee to enhance our staff and services responding to the great expansion of our international population and provide advising to you in a complex and dynamic regulatory environment. As of March 14, 2025, OPT Maintenance of Status Fee rates are:

    • $131 at the time of application for OPT
    • $193 at the time of application for STEM extension

    Thank you for your understanding and support.

     

How to Apply for STEM Extension

The earliest that F-1 students on OPT can apply is 90 days before the end of the current OPT. OIS will not honor an application submitted to our office any sooner than 90 days before the end of the current OPT.

It is recommended that the latest that students should submit their applications to OIS be no less than 30 days before the current OPT ends. Please take into consideration processing times and try to get your STEM OPT application submitted in a timely manner.

  • If you are applying for STEM extension, please access the online OPT Application Portal for document submission.

    Please use your Fordham email to access the Portal. You may log in as a returning user or create an account. 

    STEM Extension Application Portal

    You will be prompted to enter pertinent information for your application and submit the necessary documents for us to review. You will be able to save your application progress and continue the application if you need to finish at a later time.

    OIS advisors will be reviewing and handling these cases as soon as possible. Your application documents must be complete for us to begin action on your case, so please make sure to submit all requested documents in the application portal.

  • Wait for OIS to Review Submitted Documents and Give You Next Steps. 

    Once you submit all of your documents via the OPT Portal and pay the fee, you will receive a message from the application platform via email saying that you have finished the document submission process. Due to volume, please allow 10 business days for an advisor to get back to you with feedback. 

    OIS will notify you via email once your "STEM Extension Application Package" is available online. The Package will include:

    1. Your New I-20 with STEM Extension Recommendation.
    2. A guide for filing Form I-765 online with USCIS. 

    Any additional questions or technical issues regarding the OPT application process can be messaged to ois@fordham.edu.

  • Along with the New I-20 with STEM Extension recommendation, you will receive detailed instructions for filing Form I-765 online with USCIS.

    You must file Form I-765 with USCIS before your current OPT period expires and within 60 days of the date OIS recommended the post-completion OPT in SEVIS. 

After Filing Form I-765 with USCIS

The employment authorization for approved STEM OPT begins on the day after the post-completion OPT expires and ends 24 months later. The approval comes in the form of an Employment Authorization Document from USCIS.

 

Working While the STEM OPT Application is Pending

A student who has filed a timely application for the STEM OPT extension with USCIS may continue to work while the application is pending, until a final decision is made on the application by USCIS or it has been pending 180 days with USCIS, whichever comes first. The USCIS receipt notice will serve as proof of employment authorization while your STEM OPT is pending. 

 

Reporting Requirements on STEM

Please review the important STEM reporting requirements.

To maintain F-1 status while on STEM extension, you agree to report to OIS within 10 days any of the following changes:

  • Current job's Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Name of current employer
  • Employer's address
  • Job title
  • Employer end date
  • You are ending your current job and want to ADD a new employer
  • Current supervisor’s name, address, or phone number

You also agree to validate directly to an OIS Advisor every 6 months while on STEM extension the following information: your current employer name/address and/or loss of employment, and your current local U.S address. 

 

Unemployment Allowance

If you receive STEM OPT approval from USCIS, you are granted an additional 60 days of unemployment. This means the maximum total unemployment is 150 days during a 36-month period (regular OPT + STEM extension). All unemployment during this 36-month window is calculated together and accrues on the unemployment counter. SEVP portal does not show the unemployment counter; please reach out to your DSO to double check. If you are nearing the 150-day maximum, you should take measures to seek employment and protect your F-1 status.  

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I apply for STEM extension after my OPT has expired?
    • You cannot. This is why it is essential to make sure your STEM OPT is filed before your OPT EAD expires. 

  • Can I choose the authorization period for my STEM OPT?
    • You cannot. The start date of your extension will be automatically selected to be the date following the current EAD end date. The end date of your extension will be 24 months after that date. 

  • Can STEM OPT employment be remote?
    • OPT and STEM OPT are benefits to F-1s who want to gain experience in U.S. based employment. If your U.S. based employer is amenable to you working remotely while maintaining a training relationship, then you can work remotely while being physically present in the U.S. If you are considering a different arrangement please reach out to OIS for specific advice. 

  • Can signatures on the I-983 be digital/electronic?
    • Yes, however, please access the STEM OPT Portal application to see the acceptable formats for electronic signatures. Remember, though, I-20s should always have wet signatures by the student. 

  • Where can I get instructions on completing the I-983?
  • Where do I upload the I-983 for USCIS to review?
    • You don’t upload I-983s to USCIS. Employers, employees (yourself), and OIS will retain copies of the document. 

  • I have received a Request for Evidence from USCIS; what should I do?
    • Immediately write to ois@fordham.edu and attach the notice to your email.

  • What documents should I keep during my employment?
    • OIS recommends F-1 students to keep offer letters, pay-stubs, contact information of their supervisor, etc. 

  • What happens after my STEM OPT ends?
    • You enter a 60-day grace period. During this period, you can depart the U.S., transfer your SEVIS record to another school, change your status, etc.