STEM OPT

F-1 students who completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in select government-designated science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields and are currently engaged in post-completion OPT may apply for the STEM extension of 17 months of additional employment if they have a job or job offer from an E-Verify employer and meet all the required criteria.

If you believe your area of study is classified as a STEM field, contact the OGS via email at ogs@nyu.edu. Include your name and NYU ID number and the OGS will verify your eligibility.

Eligibility Criteria

• have successfully completed an NYU bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a STEM field based on the government classification
• currently be authorized for post-completion OPT
• the job offer must be with a company enrolled in the government's E-Verify program
• file an application with the OGS before the current OPT period ends
• agree to report updates regarding your name, address, place of employment, and continuation of employment to the OGS every six months
• your employer must agree to notify the OGS upon your termination or departure
• not exceed 120 days of unemployment, based on previous post-completion OPT and STEM OPT
  

Procedure to Apply

(1) Apply for the STEM OPT recommended I-20

If you meet all the above requirements do one of the following:

• No advisor meeting; submit online or in person to OGS:
  • send a scan of your completed STEM OPT request form and all the remaining STEM OPT application materials listed below to ogs@nyu.edu for Online OPT Service

  OR
  

  • bring your original completed STEM OPT request form and copies (not originals) of all the remaining STEM OPT application materials listed below to the OGS for Front-Desk OPT Service. Incomplete copy sets will not be accepted unless a suitable explanation is included.

• One-on-one walk-in hour meeting with advisor; OGS wait times vary:
  • Bring your completed STEM OPT request form along with your passport, I-94 card and I-20, as well as all remaining STEM OPT application materials listed below to the OGS during walk-in advising hours. Normal walk-in wait times will apply. Failure to bring all documents may prevent processing of your OPT request.
    

STEM OPT application materials:

• I-765 (the form should be signed in blue ink, the citation for question 16 is (c) (3) (C) and question 17 needs to be answered in full with the degree field and level, the employer's name and identification number as used in the E-Verify program. For further help in filling out the I-765, please see the I-765 explained.
  
• Form G-1145, in order to receive an e-notification of application receipt from USCIS
  Photocopy of the NYU STEM degree
• Two passport photographs (name, date of birth, I-94 card number and SEVIS number written on the back)
• Check or money order for $380 made to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Photocopy of the I-94 record (front and back)
• Photocopy of the visa stamp page and bio page of the passport
• Photocopy of all past I-20s
• Photocopy of any previous EAD
• Photocopy of your NYU transcripts indicating that you completed your degree in a STEM field

The timeframe to apply is no earlier than 90 days prior to the end date of your current OPT and no later than 30 days prior to the end date of your current OPT. The OGS advisor will review the application to ensure that you meet all the requirements. If so, then a new I-20 is issued for the extended STEM OPT within 10 business days.

(2) Submit your STEM OPT Application to USCIS

The second step is you file the STEM OPT I-20 with USCIS prior to the end date of the current post-completion OPT. Your STEM OPT application to USCIS must include:

• A photocopy of the STEM OPT I-20 (pages 1 and 3)
• I-765 (the form should be signed in blue ink, the citation for question 16 is (c) (3) (C) and question 17 needs to be answered in full with the degree field and level, the employer's name and identification number as used in the E-Verify program. For further help in filling out the I-765, please see the I-765 explained.
  
• Form G-1145, in order to receive an e-notification of application receipt from USCIS
  Photocopy of the NYU STEM degree
• Two passport photographs (name, date of birth, I-94 card number and SEVIS number written on the back)
• Check or money order for $380 made to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Photocopy of the I-94 information (front and back)
• Photocopy of the visa stamp page and bio page of the passport
• Photocopy of all past I-20s
• Photocopy of your NYU transcripts indicating that you completed your degree in a STEM field