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 working with post-completion OPT may apply for the STEM extension of 24 months of additional employment if they have a job or job offer from an E-Verify employer and meet all the required criteria.

The information contained on this page is for general information purposes only. Due to frequent government updates, NYU OGS may make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents on this page at any time without prior notice.

Please note, these directions are meant to help you in completing your application but should not be considered legal advice. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services ultimately provides the decision on your OPT application. It is your responsibility, as the OPT applicant, to ensure that your OPT application is accurate and complete before you submit it to the US government. Incomplete applications could result in a delay in processing time or denial. NYU in no event shall be held liable for any delay, denial, or mistake on your OPT application.

See NYU STEM Programs

If you believe your area of study is classified as a STEM field and you don't see it on the NYU STEM programs list, contact us.

If you earned a previous STEM degree from an accredited US institution, you may be eligible for the STEM OPT extension. See the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program List. You can find the CIP code for your previous degree on page 1 of the current format I-20 or at the top of page 3 of the old format I-20. If you have questions about your eligibility, contact us.

On This Page:

Who Can Apply

F-1 students who: 

  • have successfully completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a STEM field based on the government classification. You can find the CIP code for your previous degree on page 1 of the current format I-20 or at the top of page 3 of the old format I-20. If you have questions about your eligibility, contact us.
  • are currently authorized for post-completion OPT and have reported your current local US address and primary employer on the OPT reporting form.
  • have a job with a company enrolled in the government's E-Verify program. Find out if your employer is E-Verify enrolled. Please note, NYU is not an E-Verified employer. Review NYU's policy.
  • have paid employment that is directly related to the STEM degree and is at least 20 hours per week.
  • have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment on your current post-completion OPT.
  • have not previously used STEM OPT more than once. Please note that you cannot have more than one STEM OPT extension based on the same degree.
  • file an application with the OGS and to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services before the current OPT period ends.

When to Apply

The earliest you can apply is 90 days prior to the end date of your current OPT. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services must receive your STEM OPT application before your current OPT expires.

If USCIS receives your STEM OPT application before your current OPT expires, you can continue to work while your STEM OPT application is pending for whichever comes first of these two possibilities:

  • 180 days after your post-completion OPT expires, or 
  • Until a final decision is made on your application.

How to Apply

Understand the Process and Prepare the Needed Documents

Read all the steps in this process carefully.

Then gather and prepare all the items you need for your STEM OPT application. Each document you print for your application should be single sided.

Attend a STEM OPT Workshop

Get tips on making a successful STEM OPT application and reminders on what you need to do while you are on STEM OPT to maintain your F-1 status.

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STEP 1

Submit a Request to OGS

Complete the request for a STEM OPT recommendation I-20.

E-FORM: Request for a STEM OPT recommendation I-20

In order to submit your request successfully, you will need to upload scanned copies of your:

  • receipt showing new payment of the $100 Maintenance of Status Fee
  • passport photo/biography page
  • most recent I-94
  • current EAD card
  • completed and signed (in ink) Form I-983
  • If your application is based on a previous STEM degree, you will need to provide copies of I-20s and a transcript from that degree.

Files should be in pdf or jpg format and no larger than 20mb. Learn how to reduce your pdf file size.

Note that the online request form contains several sections. You will need to complete each section of the form in order before moving on to the next section.

If you have any problems submitting the online request, review our troubleshooting tips.

An OGS advisor will review your application and issue your new I-20. This can take up to 10 business days to process. We will email you when your new I-20 is ready.

STEP 2

Get Your New I-20

Get your new I-20 once you receive an email from OGS. You will receive further instructions with your new I-20. Once you have received an updated I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation, make sure to sign your new I-20 and photocopy it.

Due to the COVID-19 situation and based on recent guidance from the US government, we are currently issuing digitally signed I-20s and emailing them to students at their NYU email account.

STEP 3

Prepare Your Remaining Documents for the STEM OPT Application

Document checklist icon

Each document you print for your application should be single-sided. Gather and prepare these items for your STEM OPT application:

  • Two passport-style photographs (name, date of birth, I-94 card number and SEVIS number written on the back). Photos must be taken within the last 30 days and cannot have previously been used for a passport, visa, or other US government-related application.
  • A check or money order for $410 made payable to the US Department of Homeland Security. Please note, the US government fee is increasing to $550 for any application postmarked on or after October 2, 2020. If paying by check, be sure that your name and address are pre-printed on it. If you have to hand write in either your name or address on the check then we recommend getting a money order instead. Write SEVIS ID on check/money order. Do NOT send your money order separate from the application the money order is for. Your money order should be included with your other application materials.
  • A completed Form G-1145.
  • Do NOT submit Form I-983 in your application to USCIS (this is only a document OGS is required by USCIS to keep on file).
  • A completed Form I-765 (the link takes you to the main page for both accessing the form and the government's instructions on how to complete the Form I-765); Be sure to review our I-765 explained so that you fill out the form correctly. It’s best to type your information into the form, print it, then sign it.
  • A photocopy of the new I-20 with the OGS STEM OPT recommendation on it.
  • A photocopy of your F-1 visa (except for citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
  • A photocopy of your passport identification page, clearly indicating your passport name, nationality, date of birth, and the passport expiration date
  • Your printed I-94 record, clearly indicating that you are in F-1 status
  • Photocopies of any previously-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if applicable.
  • Official transcripts for the degree upon which your STEM OPT extension will be based. E-Transcripts from NYU are not allowed. Only an official paper transcript is accepted.
  • If your STEM OPT extension application is based on a previous STEM degree, include a transcript from your previous school. If you do not have an I-20 showing the CIP code from that school, you must also include documentation from that school indicating the CIP code for that program.

STEP 4

Prepare and Review Your STEM OPT Application

Once you have assembled your STEM OPT application, then come to one of our review sessions to review what a complete STEM OPT application needs to include. Incomplete or incorrect applications can cause serious delays so go over the item checklist in Step 3 one more time and make sure you've included everything. Make sure to include the original check / money order, original photos, original transcripts, and original I-765 and G-1145. Everything else should be a copy. Keep a copy of your complete STEM OPT application for your records. If you have questions about your application, schedule an online advising appointment.

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Find more review sessions

STEP 5

Send Your Application to the US Government

Send your application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services by FedEx or UPS. USCIS must receive it within 60 days of the date your I-20 was issued AND before your current OPT expires.

You can use eShipGlobal to get your shipping label at a discounted rate. Learn how to use eShipGlobal. Register with eShipGlobal to get started.

Mail your application to the USCIS Lockbox Facility listed for the mailing address you indicated in the Form I-765.

If you decide NOT to apply for or use your OPT, you must notify us. If you fail to notify us, your ability to work in the US in the future could be denied. 

STEP 6

Confirm the US Government Received Your Application and Track Your Application Status

Receive an electronic receipt from USCIS within 2-3 weeks and a paper receipt within 3-5 weeks. 

STEP 7

Set Up Informed Delivery With the US Postal Service

Once USCIS sends you any information regarding your application, they will send official notification to you through the US postal service.

Informed delivery allows you to digitally preview your mail and manage your packages scheduled to arrive soon. Learn more about how to set up your informed delivery account.

STEP 8

Keep your NYU Email Account Active

All important alumni communication from NYU (not only our office) will be through your NYU email account. Find more information about keeping a LifeTime NYU Email account.

STEP 9

Understand Your Reporting Requirements

Students on STEM OPT are required to report any and all changes to employment, address, name, immigration status, etc. within 10 days and are also required to complete scheduled reports and evaluations at specific points throughout the extension period. Use the STEM OPT Reporting Form for updates and reports.

E-FORM: STEM OPT Reporting Form

For more information, visit our information on Reporting Requirements for STEM OPT.

STEP 10

Know What You Need for Travel while on STEM OPT

Review our Alumni Documents to Carry page for information on traveling during your STEM OPT.

Based on communication from US Customs and Border Protection, OGS strongly recommends that you not travel outside of the US after the post-completion OPT end date until you receive the STEM EAD card.

STEP 11

Review Your Available Options after You Complete Your STEM OPT

Once your STEM OPT period ends, you have 60 days from the end date of your STEM OPT as listed on your EAD to do one of the following:

  1. Depart the US. Please note, if you depart the US to travel internationally, including Canada, during your 60 day grace period following STEM OPT, you may not reenter the US in F-1 status unless you have a new I-20 indicating that you are in a new academic program.
  2. Transfer your SEVIS record to another school or begin a new degree program at NYU.
  3. Change to another immigration status.