Optional Practical Training (OPT) lets eligible F-1 students work in their field of study in the United States for 12 to 36 months after completing their program. F-1 students with a degree in a STEM field—science, technology, engineering or math—may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their 12 months of OPT.
Eligibility for the STEM OPT Extension
To be eligible for STEM OPT Extension, you must:
- Currently be on post-completion OPT
- Hold an appropriate degree in one of the DHS-approved STEM fields, received from an accredited U.S. institution within the past 10 years
- Have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment in the 12 months of regular OPT
- Submit your STEM OPT application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before the expiration date of your current OPT
Your prospective employer must be registered with E-Verify. The employer needs to complete the Form I-983 with formal training and learning objectives for the training opportunity and how it directly relates to your qualifying STEM degree.
Spring 2025 INFORMATION SESSIONS (specifically for STEM)
Thursday, March 13 from 12:00-1:00 PM on Zoom (register here)
Tuesday, May 6 from 2:30 - 3:30 PM on Zoom (register here)
Applying for STEM OPT Online
Before beginning your online application, review this guide (pdf) from OISS.
Log in to iHome to complete an 24-Month STEM OPT Extension I-20 Request (under F-1 Employment Authorization). **Please note: Lehigh University and OISS will require a $300 STEM OPT Processing Fee for anyone whose STEM OPT will begin August 15, 2025 or later. Instructions for how to pay this fee are a part of the STEM OPT Request E-form in iHome.
Upload your completed and signed Form I-983, Form I-765, a copy of your EAD card (both sides) and (optional) job offer letter from a registered E-Verify company printed on official letterhead.
OISS will review your request. After we approve it, we will email instructions to mail your OPT extension application.
Do not finalize the online application until you have received your new I-20 from OISS.
Once you receive your new I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation from OISS, complete the online application, with the required documents.
APPLYING FOR STEM OPT EXTENSION
Log in to iHome to complete a 24-Month STEM OPT Extension I-20 Request (under F-1 Employment Authorization).
Upload your completed and signed Form I-983, completed and signed Form I-765, OPT Employment Authorization Document, and receipt showing payment of the $300 STEM OPT Processing Fee (for any STEM OPT beginning after August 15, 2025).
OISS will review your request. After we approve it, we will email instructions to submit your STEM OPT extension application.
Do not submit the application until you have received your new I-20 from OISS.
Once you receive your new I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation from OISS, submit your I-765 online application with the appropriate documents uploaded
Required Documents for STEM OPT Extension Application
You will apply for STEM OPT online on the USCIS website. Do not submit the application until you have received your new I-20 from OISS. Do not submit your application more than 90 days before the expiration date on your current OPT.
- Completed and signed Form I-765
- If you wish to have your EAD card sent to OISS, use the following address in your online if you want your EAD sent to OISS:
- In care of: OISS, Lehigh University
- Address Line 1: 32 Sayre Drive, Coxe Hall
- City: Bethlehem
- State: PA
- Zip Code: 18015
- Note: If you use the OISS’s address to receive your I-797 and EAD, we will request permission to open your mail in the OPT Application E-Form. OISS is not responsible for lost or damaged mail, nor is the OISS responsible for postage errors or undeliverable mail. OISS will contact you when your documents are received.
- If you wish to have your EAD card sent to OISS, use the following address in your online if you want your EAD sent to OISS:
- Appropriate filing fee paid via the online application. You can choose to use Premium Processing service for an additional fee
- One 2” x 2” photo of you. Instructions for the photo and a photo composition tool can be found within the online I-765 in the Evidence section.
- Upload a copy of your Form I-94, passport photo page, and current visa page
- Upload a copy of your previous I-20’s
- Upload a copy of your current and previous Employment Authorization Documents (front and back)
- Upload the new I-20 issued by OISS with the 24-month STEM extension recommendation (make sure you print the I-20, sign the I-20 at the bottom of page 1, and have a scanned copy of the signed I-20 ready to upload)
- Evidence that your degree meets the STEM requirements: official transcript from the Lehigh University Registrar's Office and a copy of your diploma that shows your degree level and program of study
Reporting Requirements While on STEM OPT
You must notify OISS through iHome within 10 days if any of the following information changes:
- Legal name
- Residential address (Post Office Box not acceptable)
- Employer name and address
- Ending OPT due to a change of status to H-1B or another status or leaving the U.S.
If you are on the 24-month STEM OPT Extension, you must also notify OISS of the following changes and submit a new I-983:
- Change in Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Reduction in your compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked
- Significant decrease in hours per week that you get STEM training
- Changes to the employer’s commitments or your learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983
Students on the 24-month STEM OPT Extension must also submit an annual Evaluation of Student Progress.
Traveling on STEM OPT
If you travel outside the U.S. while on STEM OPT, bring the following documents with you:
- Valid passport
- Valid F-1 visa to re-enter the U.S.*
- STEM OPT I-20 with a travel signature from an OISS advisor within the last six months
- Proof of employment or offer letter from your employer and a valid Employment Authorization Document
*A valid F-1 visa is not required to re-enter the U.S. if you travel to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands (except Cuba) for 30 days or fewer. Citizens of Iran, Syria and Sudan must always have a valid visa. Canadian citizens do not require a visa.
Time spent outside the U.S. while employed does not count toward the unemployment allowance.
Unemployment Allowance for STEM OPT
You are allowed up to 150 days of unemployment between your 12-month OPT and your 24-month extension
Taking Courses while on STEM OPT
You can take courses while on STEM OPT as long as you study part-time and do not seek a degree.
If you are seeking a new degree, you need to cancel your STEM OPT and get a new I-20 to pursue full-time study in the new degree program. If the degree is at a new school, you will need to receive admission and contact OISS to transfer out your SEVIS record.
On the transfer release date (new school) or the date a new I-20 is created (Lehigh), your STEM OPT will end. If you intend to continue in F-1 status, you must receive admission from a new academic program and get an I-20 before the 60th day after your STEM OPT ends.
If you transfer to a new school and receive your new I-20, you may remain in the U.S. for up to five months between when your STEM OPT ends and the new program begins. If there will be more than five months between programs, you need to leave the U.S. and re-enter within 30 days of the start of your new program.