STEM OPT Extension Calculator: The 24-Month Extension and Deadlines
Graduates with a STEM degree can apply for a 24-month extension on top of their 12 months of OPT, as long as the employer is enrolled in E-Verify and completes the I-983 training plan with you.
STEM OPT extension calculator
Calculate your 24-month extension timeline and reporting deadlines
The expiration date on your current EAD card
Four Requirements
① Your degree is on the STEM list
Based on the CIP code on your I-20, which must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List published by DHS. Note that the STEM degree you use doesn't have to be your most recent one — an earlier STEM degree from an accredited school earned within the past ten years also works.
② Your employer is enrolled in E-Verify
The employer must be registered with E-Verify and offer a paid job of at least 20 hours a week. Self-employment generally does not qualify.
③ Complete the Form I-983 training plan
Filled out by you and your employer together and reviewed by your DSO, it includes learning goals and how they will be evaluated. You also need regular self-evaluations and an annual evaluation.
④ File within 90 days before your current OPT expires
You must file within the 90 days before your current OPT EAD expires, and within 60 days after your DSO enters the SEVIS recommendation — note that this is 60 days, not the 30 days for initial OPT; mixing them up gets your application rejected. If you file on time, you can keep working for up to 180 days while it is pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I get the STEM extension twice?
- Based on a STEM degree at a higher level, you can get at most two 24-month extensions in your lifetime.
- Does changing employers end my extension?
- Not automatically, but the new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify, and you must complete a new I-983 and meet the 10-day reporting requirement.
Sources: Data and Law
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This tool gives estimates based on public regulations and government data, for reference only. It is not legal advice. We are not a law firm. Every case is different — talk to an immigration lawyer before making a decision.