Best time to Submit an OPT Extension Request:

Students with a STEM degree and currently in the 12-month OPT period:

• Your STEM OPT extension application must reach USCIS before the expiration date of your current 12-month OPT EAD card.
• You can submit your application as early as 90 days before the expiration date of your current 12-month OPT EAD card.
• Your DSO requires 7-10 business days to process your new I-20.
• Make sure to allocate enough time for mailing your application to USCIS.

Related Post: Online Submission for OPT Extension with Form I-765

How to apply:

Students with a STEM degree currently in the 12-month OPT period: 

STEP 1: Confirm your 12-month OPT information is correct

• Verify your information on the SEVP Portal. If your current address and employment details are accurate, continue to Step 2 below.

• If your current address and employment details are incorrect, please modify your current address in the student portal account and file an OPT Employment Reporting. The DSO must verify that the 12-month OPT information in your SEVIS record is accurate and up-to-date before handling your STEM OPT I-20 request.

STEP 2: Carefully review all information regarding the STEM OPT Extension posted on the DSO website.

• Please note that you are accountable for comprehending and complying with all regulations and criteria of the STEM OPT Extension by carefully reviewing all the details presented on the DSO website.

Step 3: Complete all required application requirements.

1. Gather and complete the following documents:
   • I-983 Training Plan Form (make sure to download the current version, expires 05/31/2025)
   • I-765 Form (make sure to download the current version, expires 10/31/2025)
2. To request a STEM OPT Extension recommended I-20, submit the online STEM OPT Extension Application to your DSO through the Student Portal using the provided documents.
3. Please anticipate a processing time of 7-10 business days for your I-20. Your DSO adviser will evaluate your request and provide a new, revised I-20 with a printed STEM OPT Extension recommendation on the back page.

Note: If you want to file for STEM Extension OPT application online with USCIS, you can upload your online I-765 draft snapshot that you filled out in your myUSCIS account, instead of paper version of I-765. To see, where you can download your online I-765 draft in myUSCIS account, click this link. But, please know that you MUST receive a signed STEM Extension OPT Recommended I-20 from DSO advisor and upload it to your STEM Extension OPT I-765 applicaion BEFORE submitting your application to USCIS through myUSCIS account. If not, your application will be denied by USCIS.

Step 4: Obtain STEM OPT Extension Recommended Form I-20 from DSO advisor and prepare your application

Step 5: File your application online with USCIS or Mail your STEM OPT Extension application packet to the USCIS via Express Mail.

Attention! There is a fee increase for the I-765 OPT or STEM Extension OPT: USCIS has recently announced new fee adjustments, effective April 1, 2024. Any applications submitted to USCIS on or after April 1, 2024, must include the updated fee amounts; otherwise, they will not be accepted by USCIS. Online filing (F-1 OPT, STEM OPT Extension) will increase from $410 to $470, and paper filing will increase from $410 to $520.