STEM OPT Guide
Summary
This page is for Harvard F-1 students interested in pursuing STEM OPT.
The STEM OPT extension allows eligible F-1 students who have completed a degree in a qualifying STEM field to apply for up to 24 months of additional work authorization beyond standard post-completion OPT.
This guide will walk you through the process of applying for STEM OPT, maintaining your status, and reporting requirements, as well as offer some additional resources.
Applying for STEM OPT
Students who hold degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) may be eligible to apply for an additional 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT), for a total of 36 months of post-completion OPT. Eligibility is based on completion of a degree in a STEM field designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
To check if your degree is STEM OPT-eligible:
- Find your CIP code in the Program of Study section on your I-20. Check under the Major 1 and Major 2 field (if applicable) for the 6-digit code.
- Check if the CIP code listed on your I-20 appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List (this list is maintained by DHS).
It might be possible to apply for the STEM extension based on a prior U.S. degree in a STEM field. Refer to the Application Steps section below to learn about the requirements.
If you are unsure if you are eligible for the STEM extension, contact your HIO advisor. In addition to having completed a degree in a STEM field of study, you and your STEM OPT job(s) must meet all STEM OPT requirements. Review the Student Responsibilities while on STEM OPT section below or the STEM OPT: Getting Started course linked below for more details.
Complete the Homebase courses linked below to learn more about the STEM OPT application process and reporting requirements. Once you create a Homebase account, you can log back in at any time.
Required Courses
- Your completion certificate required to request STEM OPT I-20 from HIO.
STEM OPT: 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month Reports
- Your completion certificate required to complete your first 6-month reporting requirement.
Supplemental Courses
STEM OPT: I-983 Guides
STEM OPT: After Filing your Application with USCIS
STEM OPT: Change in Employment or Changing Employers
STEM OPT: Ending STEM OPT Early or Changing Visa Status
In order to qualify for STEM OPT, the employment details for each job you plan to begin must be outlined on a Form I-983 Training Plan. Since the I-983 Training Plan requires a structured employment relationship, supervision, and evaluation, this means that employment conditions allowed under STEM OPT are significantly less flexible than employment permitted under post-completion OPT. If working for more than one employer, each position requires a completed I-983 and must meet each of the below criteria. For more information on the process to change or add employers during STEM OPT, please see the Student Responsibilities While on STEM OPT section below.
A short comparison of employment conditions permitted under post-completion OPT and STEM OPT:
| Employment Permitted under Post-Completion OPT | Employment Permitted under STEM OPT |
|---|---|
Allows for unpaid and paid positions | Must be a paid position |
All jobs combined must total 20 hours per week or more | Each position must be for 20 hours per week or more |
Employer does not have to be registered with E-Verify | Each employer must be registered with E-Verify |
Must be a position related to the major listed under “Program of Study” on the I-20. | Must be a position related to the STEM program major listed under “Program of Study” on the I-20. You are responsible for drawing a connection between your position and the skills or knowledge learned in your STEM degree. If you applied for STEM OPT based on a previously earned degree, the employment on STEM OPT must be related to that degree’s major field of study. |
Allows for employment with a temp agency, contract employment, short-term employment, and gigging | You must be paid a salary, and be supervised, directly by your employer. You cannot be paid by a third party or staffing agency, or work at a location other than your employer’s place of business. For more information, please see “The Employer’s Training Obligation: Staffing and Temporary Agencies” on the USCIS Website. |
External fellowship payments permitted in an academic environment | In an academic environment, you cannot be paid through an external fellowship. For example, you cannot use STEM for a postdoctoral position where you are not paid directly by the host institution. |
You must report any employment changes to the HIO using the Post-Completion OPT Reporting Form within 10 days of the change | You must not begin work for any new employer without first submitting to the HIO a new, completed I-983 Training Plan for that employer. |
Allows maximum of 90 days of unemployment over the 12 months of OPT | Allows a maximum of 150 days of unemployment over the combined periods of OPT and STEM OPT |
Allows for self-employment | Does not allow for self-employment |
May volunteer or work in an unpaid position | Cannot volunteer or work in an unpaid position |
Students applying for the STEM OPT Extension may submit the application to USCIS up to 90 days before the initial OPT period ends. It’s recommended that you submit your application to USCIS no later than two weeks prior to the end of your current OPT EAD card to allow time for USCIS to officially receipt your application. Your STEM OPT extension request will be denied if USCIS receives your application more than 90 days before your OPT EAD end date or after the end date of your current EAD.
IMPORTANT: If you have not already, you must report your Post-Completion OPT Employment information before submitting your STEM extension request. Please complete the Post-Completion OPT Reporting Form with all employers you have worked for during your OPT period. Failure to report your OPT employment will delay the processing of your STEM request. You can review your employment information by checking your SEVP Portal. You can also request an SEVP portal reset.
These resources are intended for use by Harvard F-1 students only. Complete the STEM OPT: Getting Started course in Homebase to learn more about the STEM OPT application process.
If you have questions on the STEM application process, the quickest way to receive help is to use HIO Daily Virtual Drop-in Hours or Special OPT/STEM OPT Virtual Drop-in Hours.
Step 1: Submit your request to the HIO for a STEM OPT I-20
Students must submit the electronic HIO STEM OPT Request Form to request an I-20 with a STEM OPT recommendation. This link requires you to log in with your Harvard Key. If you have issues logging on with your Harvard Key, visit the "Reset Password or Recover Login Name" section on the Harvard Key website.
The form will require that students upload the following documents:
- Form I-983 (use the STEM OPT: I-983 Guides)
- A copy of your current OPT EAD card.
- A copy of your I-94 record (NOT travel history).
- Payment of $350 to Harvard University. You may make this payment online with a credit card.
- Certificate of completion obtained by completing STEM OPT: Getting Started Homebase course. You will need to create a Homebase account to complete this requirement.
Submit your application to the HIO no earlier than 100 days before the expiration date of your current employment authorization document (EAD).
Applying for STEM OPT Based on a Prior Degree
If you are on post-completion OPT based on a non-STEM degree, you may be eligible to use a prior STEM degree earned from a U.S. institution of higher education to apply for a STEM OPT extension. For example: A student who is currently on OPT based on a master’s degree in education may determine that degree is not STEM-eligible, but they previously obtained a bachelor’s in mathematics. The student may be eligible to apply for STEM OPT based on their bachelor’s degree if they meet all the listed requirements below.
The prior STEM degree must meet these criteria:
- Cannot have been the basis for a previous STEM OPT extension.
- Was conferred no more than 10 years prior to submission of the extension application.
- Was conferred prior to the degree that provided the basis for the student's current period of standard Post-Completion OPT.
- Cannot have been conferred by a branch campus abroad.
- Was conferred by a U.S. educational institution that is accredited and SEVP-certified at the time the student's DSO recommends the student for the 24-month OPT extension.
- Is in a degree program category included on the current STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time of the DSO recommendation.
- The prospective employment that is the basis for the 24-month STEM OPT extension must directly relate to the prior degree.
- If you are applying for STEM OPT based on a prior degree, you must note this in the HIO STEM OPT Request Form, and submit the following additional documents:
- An official transcript from the prior degree.
- A copy of the I-20 that identifies the prior degree. You can find the major and CIP code in the “Program of Study” section of the I-20. If don't have the I-20, you can provide documentation from your previous school confirming the degree that was conferred as well as the CIP code that was assigned to you. USCIS may, or may not, accept such documentation.
- PDF confirming accreditation status of the prior school: Accreditation Search.
- PDF confirming SEVP certification of the prior school: SEVP Certification Search.
Your request will be reviewed and, if complete, a new I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation will be emailed to you in 14 business days.
Non-Harvard students should contact their home institution for guidance.
Step 2: Submit your STEM OPT Application to USCIS
Students applying for STEM OPT must be physically present in the U.S. to file their STEM OPT applications with USCIS.
DO NOT FILE YOUR I-765 STEM OPT APPLICATION BEFORE RECEIVING YOUR I-20 WITH STEM OPT RECOMMENDATION FROM THE HIO. Filing your case without the new STEM OPT I-20 will result in a denial of your STEM OPT application.
The STEM OPT extension application is a personal application for which you are responsible. Use the STEM OPT resources to complete your final application. If you have questions or need clarifications, contact your HIO advisor directly BEFORE filing your application.
- Consult the USCIS STEM OPT Application Checklist for a full list of documents to include in your final STEM OPT application that you will submit to USCIS.
- To complete Form I-765 STEM OPT Application, refer to the STEM OPT: How to Apply with USCIS (I-765 Guide) in Homebase.
Refer to the STEM OPT: After Filing your Application with USCIS course in Homebase for instructions on maintaining your F-1 status after filing your STEM OPT application and while on STEM OPT.
- Download and save a copy of your e-filed I-765 application for your records.
- You will receive a confirmation and receipt number from USCIS shortly after submitting your application online. You may track the status of your case via your USCIS account or via USCIS Case Status Online.
- Your U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) portal should provide you with copies of important documentation. In addition, you should receive three pieces of mail via US Postal Service from USCIS:
- an I-797 notice of receipt,
- an I-797 notice of approval, and
- the official EAD card.
- Review the information carefully on all documents. Review the HIO’s information on Premium Processing and contact your HIO advisor immediately if:
- You do not receive your USCIS receipt notice within 60 days of submitting your OPT application.
- You receive a Request for Additional Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) from USCIS.
- There is incorrect information on your EAD card. Please check:
- Dates of authorization
- Demographic data
- Category, for STEM OPT it should state CO3C
Continuation of Employment
While your timely filed STEM OPT application is pending with USCIS, you can provide your employer with a copy of your I-797 receipt notice to continue working after your current EAD expires. You will receive a PDF version of the receipt notice in your online USCIS portal before receiving the official I-797 notice via U.S. Postal Service mail. Your employer can access information about the documentation required for completing the I-9 process with F-1 students.
Travel while STEM OPT is Pending
You can travel abroad and re-enter the US using your expired Post-Completion OPT EAD card and the original I-797 Receipt Notice for your timely filed STEM OPT application. This only applies during the 180-day period of authorized employment while your STEM OPT application is pending. Please refer to the HIO website’s travel page for a full list of documents required during the various stages of OPT and STEM OPT.
For additional information, please visit this STEM OPT FAQs and Travel & Re-entry page.
Documenting Your Employment
During your OPT/ STEM OPT experience, you may find it beneficial to document your employment it is needed for a future immigration status or benefit. You do not need to provide this documentation to the HIO, but you may wish to keep a record for your personal files. Below are examples. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
• Letters of employment showing job titles, duties, location, pay rate, and number of hours worked.
• Bank statements showing payment from your employer
• Paystubs, W-2s, equity, stock options, other forms of compensation
• Documentation showing that you have not exceeded unemployment time.
• Proof that the job duties are related to your degree program.
Student Responsibilities While on STEM OPT
During the STEM OPT extension, you must:
- Work in a paid position and be directly supervised by your employer.
- Payment through external fellowships is not allowed on STEM OPT.
- Work for at least 20 hours per week for each position on STEM OPT.
- Work in a position related to the STEM program major listed under “Program of Study” on the I-20.
- Work for an E-Verify employer.
- Complete a Form I-983 Training Plan with your employer for each job.
- Submit the Form I-983 to the HIO for review before you begin any position.
- Update and resubmit a new Form I-983 to the HIO every time you change jobs or add a new employer.
- Accumulate fewer than 150 days of unemployment time during the entire period of post-completion OPT (regular post-completion OPT and 24-month extension combined).
- Not be self-employed.
- Not engage in contract or third-party work.
Entrepreneurs should consult a qualified immigration attorney to understand their options.
Refer to the STEM OPT: 6, 12, 18, and 24 Month Reports course in Homebase for information on how to complete STEM OPT reporting requirements. Completion of this course is required to submit your first 6-month report to the HIO.
You must report to the HIO every six months, even if there's been no change in your employment.
Failure to comply with the STEM OPT rules and reporting requirements is a violation of your F-1 status. Such violations will have negative consequences for your current F-1 immigration status and will result in delays and denials of future immigration benefits.
At the 12- and 24-month points of your STEM OPT period, a self-evaluation signed by you and your employer is required to fulfill the reporting requirement. Refer to the chart below to help you determine if an evaluation is required.
| Reporting Timeline After STEM EAD Start Date, reporting DUE by: | HIO Reporting Requirement | I-983 Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
6 Months | Data Validation via Online HIO STEM OPT Reporting Form | NONE |
12 Months | Annual Reporting via Online HIO STEM OPT Reporting Form | |
18 Months | Data Validation via Online HIO STEM OPT Reporting Form | NONE |
24 Months | Annual Reporting via Online HIO STEM OPT Reporting Form |
If your residential U.S. address changes, you must report this change to the HIO within 10 days of the move.
Students must report any material changes or updates to the information on the I-983 (i.e. employer’s address, change of EIN, reduction of hours, decrease in salary, title change, job duties, supervisor, *company mergers/acquisitions, etc.).
| Documents Required | Submission Deadline to the HIO |
|---|---|
Within 10 days of change |
*If your company merges with or is acquired by another company, you should submit a Final Evaluation (bottom of page 5 of I-983) signed by you and your former employer, a new I-983 signed by you and your new employer via the STEM OPT Reporting Form so the HIO can issue you an updated I-20.
It is possible to change employers during the STEM OPT extension if the employer meets the required criteria described in the Your Basic Responsibilities on STEM OPT section. Refer to the STEM OPT: Change in Employment or Changing Employers Homebase course for detailed guides on how to report these changes.
Change in Employment for Students with Approved STEM OPT
Students with a STEM extension cannot begin new employment without first following the applicable steps below:
- Submit a request via our STEM OPT Reporting Form by choosing “My STEM OPT has been approved and I am reporting a change of employer.”
- Within this form, upload the final evaluation of the former STEM employer and the new I-983 for the new employment.
- If you are ending employment and do not yet have a new STEM employer, you must submit the STEM OPT Reporting Form within 10 days of ending the employment. Choose the report type “I am ending my STEM OPT employment with an employer before my 24-month STEM OPT period ends. I have not exceeded my unemployment days and I am currently job searching.”
- If you are only reporting you have a new STEM employer, choose “I am reporting a new and/or concurrent/additional employer.”
The new I-983 must be confirmed by the HIO as being complete and meeting all STEM program requirements before you can begin the new STEM employment. We will issue you a new STEM OPT I-20 with the new employer information on page 2 and send it to you via secure email to the email you indicate in the STEM OPT Reporting Form.
| Type of Employment Change | Documents Required | Submission Deadline to the HIO |
|---|---|---|
Ending a Position | Within 10 days of change | |
Starting a new position | Prior to beginning new job |
Change in Employment for Students with Pending STEM OPT Applications
If a student changes their employer while their STEM OPT application is pending, they submit these changes via the HIO’s STEM OPT Reporting Form before they engage in their new STEM employment. Depending on whether the student is still in their valid Post-Completion OPT period or if they have started their STEM OPT period, there are slightly different processes.
If your Post-Completion OPT is still valid (i.e., your Post OPT EAD’s end date is still in the future), you must:
- Submit the Post Completion OPT Reporting Form so that we can update your employment information in SEVIS.
- Submit your new I-983 and new employment details via the HIO’s STEM OPT Reporting Form. Choose “My STEM OPT application is pending with USCIS and I am reporting a change of employer.” Within this form you will be able to upload the new I-983 for the new employment.
If your Post-Completion OPT period is invalid and you have started your STEM period while your STEM application is pending, you must submit the following via the STEM OPT Reporting Form:
- Choose “My STEM OPT application is pending with USCIS and I am reporting a change of employer.” Within this form you will be able to do the following:
- Upload the Final Evaluation of the former STEM employer (bottom of Page 5 of I-983) *The end date listed on the final evaluation will be the end date entered into SEVIS*;
- Provide required details about your new STEM employer;
- Upload the new I-983 for the new employment.
The new I-983 and details must be confirmed by the HIO as being complete and meeting all STEM program requirements before you can begin the new STEM employment.
Once the materials are reviewed and approved by an HIO advisor, you will be issued a new I-20 with the updated employer information. If your STEM application is still pending with USCIS, the HIO will send you instructions on how to update your STEM OPT application in your myUSCIS account to reflect this update.
Contact your HIO advisor immediately if:
- Your STEM OPT application is pending with USCIS.
- Your employment will end at your current employer
- You do not have a new STEM OPT employer lined up
For information on traveling while on STEM OPT, or while waiting for your STEM OPT approval, please see the Travel & Re-entry page.
While on STEM OPT, you continue to hold F-1 status sponsored by Harvard and your F-1 record remains active in the government database SEVIS. It is extremely important that you notify the HIO of any changes to your immigration status. Refer to the STEM OPT: Ending STEM OPT Early or Changing Visa Status Homebase course for detailed guides on how to report these changes.
- If you leave the U.S. permanently before your 24-month STEM period ends, you must notify the HIO via the STEM OPT Reporting Form AFTER you depart the U.S. permanently. To report this change, you will need to:
- Choose “I have decided to leave the U.S. permanently before my STEM EAD expires AND have decided not to use my STEM OPT any longer.”
- You must also submit a completed final evaluation from bottom of page 5 of the I-983 within 10 days of ending the employment to the HIO via the STEM OPT Reporting Form.
- If you change to another visa status in the U.S. or via travel and reentry to the U.S., such as H-1B, E-3, G-4, TN, etc. or obtain Lawful Permanent Resident status (become a green card holder), you must notify the HIO by reporting this change via the STEM OPT Reporting Form. To report this change, you will need to choose “I have changed to another visa status in the U.S. (such as H-1B, E-3, G-4, TN, etc.) or have become a Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder).” The form will ask you to upload evidence of your new status (e.g. new I-94 arrival/departure record, new visa stamp, and I-797, or green card). You will also need to upload a completed final evaluation from page 5 of the I-983 within 10 days of changing your status.