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What Is OPT & STEM OPT?

OPT (Optional Practical Training) allows all F-1 graduates to work in the USA for 12 months in a field directly related to their degree. The STEM OPT extension grants an additional 24 months — but only for graduates of STEM-designated programs — bringing the total to a remarkable 36 months.

During OPT and STEM OPT, graduates can work for any eligible US employer — full-time, in their field. This is the single longest post-study work authorisation available in any English-speaking destination.

12M

Base OPT

24M

STEM Extension

36M

Total Duration

E-Verify

Required for STEM

Why STEM OPT Matters

Build real US work experience in your field
Time to find an H-1B sponsor employer
Earn US-level salary (avg $110K–$140K for STEM)
Build a strong professional network in the USA
Demonstrate your value before the H-1B lottery

This 36-month window is longer than Canada's PGWP and Australia's 485 visa for most qualification levels.

Process Guide

How STEM OPT Works — Step by Step

A clear roadmap from graduation to 36 months of US work authorisation.

Step 1 — Graduate with a STEM CIP-Designated Degree

Complete your degree at a SEVP-certified institution. Your program must be listed on the official DHS STEM CIP code list.

Step 2 — Apply for Base OPT Through Your DSO

Work with your Designated School Official (DSO) to submit your OPT application to USCIS — up to 90 days before graduation.

Step 3 — Receive Your EAD Card & Begin Working

Your Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) card arrives from USCIS. You may begin working in your field from the authorised start date.

Step 4 — Apply for STEM OPT Extension (90 Days Before Expiry)

Submit your 24-month STEM OPT extension application to USCIS through your DSO no later than 90 days before your base OPT expires.

Step 5 — Employer Must Be E-Verify Enrolled & Sign Form I-983

Your employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify federal database. Both you and your employer must complete Form I-983 (Individual Development Plan).

Step 6 — Report to DSO Every 6 Months

Throughout the STEM OPT extension, you must validate your employment status with your DSO every 6 months. Failure to report can jeopardise your F-1 status.

Step 7 — Pursue H-1B Sponsorship or Continue Building Experience

Use your STEM OPT window strategically — up to 3 H-1B lottery cycles — to demonstrate your value and secure employer sponsorship for long-term US residency.

DHS CIP Code List

STEM-Eligible Fields & Top Universities

Programs listed on the DHS STEM CIP Designated Degree Program List qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.

CIP Category	Common Programs	Top Universities
Computer & Information Sciences	CS, Software Engineering, AI, Cybersecurity	MIT, Stanford, CMU, UIUC, Georgia Tech
Engineering	EE, ME, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering	MIT, Caltech, Purdue, Georgia Tech, UT Austin
Mathematics & Statistics	Applied Math, Statistics, Actuarial Science	Columbia, NYU, UChicago, UCLA
Biological Sciences	Biomedical, Microbiology, Genetics	Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Yale, UCSF
Physical Sciences	Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science	MIT, Caltech, Princeton, UChicago
Agricultural Sciences	Agricultural Engineering, Food Science	Purdue, UC Davis, Cornell
Economics	Econometrics, Computational Economics	MIT, Harvard, Chicago (research focus)
Architecture	Architecture, Urban Planning	Harvard, MIT, Columbia, Cornell

Side-by-Side Comparison

OPT vs STEM OPT Extension

Understand the key differences between base OPT and the STEM OPT extension before you plan your post-graduation strategy.

Feature	Base OPT	STEM OPT Extension
Duration	12 months	24 months
Eligibility	All F-1 graduates	STEM CIP-designated degree only
Employer Requirement	Any US employer	E-Verify enrolled employer only
Reporting	Every 6 months to USCIS	Every 6 months to DSO + USCIS
Application Route	USCIS via DSO	USCIS via DSO
Training Plan	Not required	IDP (Form I-983) required

OPT / STEM OPT to H-1B Pathway

The H-1B visa is the primary route for long-term US employment for international graduates. With an annual cap of 85,000 visas, the H-1B lottery runs each April. Employers must sponsor and file the petition on behalf of the employee.

STEM OPT's 36-month window gives you up to 3 H-1B lottery attempts — significantly increasing your chances compared to the single attempt available to most non-STEM graduates.

H-1B selection is by lottery — not guaranteed. Students whose primary goal is long-term immigration should compare Australia and Canada pathways, which are points-based and more predictable.

65K

Regular Cap

20K

Advanced Degree Cap

85K

Total Annual Cap

3x

Lottery Attempts (STEM)

What Employers Must Do

STEM OPT Employer Requirements

Your employer must meet these two key requirements to support your STEM OPT extension.

E-Verify Requirement

Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify — the federal database that confirms employees' work authorisation. This is a non-negotiable requirement for any STEM OPT position.

Most large US employers are already enrolled
Government agencies are E-Verify enrolled by default
Startups and small businesses may not be enrolled
Always verify E-Verify status before accepting an offer

Individual Development Plan (Form I-983)

Both you and your employer must agree on and sign a formal Individual Development Plan (IDP) on Form I-983. This document outlines your training objectives and ties your work to your STEM degree.

Must clearly relate work duties to STEM degree field
Submitted to your DSO at the start of extension
Updated throughout the 24-month extension period
DSO reports any material changes to USCIS

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Get direct answers to common STEM OPT questions before making your study-in-USA decision.

OPT has a strict 90-day unemployment limit. If you remain unemployed for more than 90 cumulative days during your base OPT period, your F-1 status is jeopardised and you risk having to leave the USA. It is critical to begin your job search before graduation, use your university's career services, and apply aggressively immediately after receiving your EAD card.

Yes, travel is permitted — but you must carry the correct documents every time. You will need: a valid F-1 visa stamp, your valid EAD card, a DSO travel signature on your I-20 (dated within the last 6 months), and a letter from your employer confirming your position. Travel without the proper documentation can result in denial of re-entry.

You cannot do STEM OPT with a non-E-Verify employer — this is a USCIS requirement and has no exceptions. Your options are: (1) find a different employer who is E-Verify enrolled, (2) ask your current employer to enrol in E-Verify (it is free for employers), or (3) continue on your base 12-month OPT which does not require E-Verify, and use that time to find an E-Verify employer before applying for the STEM extension.

STEM OPT itself does not directly count toward US Permanent Residency. However, it serves as the critical bridge to the H-1B visa, which is the standard route to an employer-sponsored Green Card. The realistic timeline is: OPT/STEM OPT (3 years) → H-1B (3–6 years) → Green Card (5–15+ years, depending on country of birth and visa category). Applicants born in India or China face significantly longer Green Card wait times due to per-country backlogs.

Plan Your STEM OPT Strategy

Sit down with our USA-specialist counsellors to map your STEM degree, OPT timeline, and H-1B strategy — and decide if the US is the right destination for your career goals.

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USA STEM OPT