STEM Extension of OPT

The STEM Extension of OPT is a benefit to allow students who have earned a degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field to extend a period of approved post-completion OPT for 24 months. Students may request a STEM Extension of their 12-month OPT two times in their lifetime; it is not possible to request a STEM Extension of pre-completion OPT, as a separate benefit, or to further extend a STEM Extension. Review the STEM OPT Hub for more information to help school officials, F-1 students, and employers understand the regulations.

You are eligible to apply for the STEM Extension if you meet the following conditions:

You are currently in an approved period of post-completion OPT
You earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a designated STEM field
You are employed by an employer who is registered and in good standing with E-Verify

Below is a list of degrees at Portland State University that are STEM-designated according to the Department of Homeland Security.

PSU STEM Majors

Note that degree offerings can change over time and our office may not always be informed of changes. To be certain your program of interest is currently offered at Portland State, you can browse programs or contact the department directly.

Browse Academic Programs

Receiving a STEM degree is only part of meeting eligibility for the OPT STEM extension. Meet with your international student advisor early and often to understand how to maintain status and eligibility for the STEM extension of OPT.

STEM Extension Application Resources

STEM OPT Tutorial

Please review our online tutorial if you are interested in applying for the OPT STEM extension. The tutorial is a helpful guide and will provide answers to many of your questions!

View Tutorial

Maintaining Status During STEM Extension

Work at least 20 hours per week in a paid job or internship with an E-Verify employer that is directly related to your major. Only paid training experiences can be counted as employment during the STEM Extension.

Do not exceed 150 days of unemployment during your post-completion OPT and STEM Extension. Students carry any of their 90 days of unemployment forward into their STEM Extension and gain an additional 60 days of unemployment when approved for that benefit (150 days total).

Complete an I-983 with each employer during your STEM Extension, and report changes to ISSS as soon as possible. Changes to any information in the I-983 should be reported within 10 calendar days to ISSS.

STEM Extension Reporting Chart