If you are an F-1 student currently on Post-Completion Optional Practical Training who is eligible and interested in a 24-month STEM extension, you can submit your extension application to the ISSC up to 97 days prior to the end date of your Post-OPT employment authorization. We recommend applying as early as you can.

The 24-month STEM OPT extension is an additional benefit from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that enables international students in F-1 status who receive a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in an approved STEM field to apply for a 24-month extension of their standard 12-month Post-OPT period.

1. Verify if you have a STEM-designated degree. The CIP code for your degree is listed on your I-20 in the “Program of Study” section. 
2. Read the instructions, additional information, and eligibility requirements for the 24-month STEM extension. 
3. If eligible, submit your request to the ISSC office up to 97 days prior to the end date of your EAD card in order to receive your STEM OPT I-20.

Note: You must apply for the STEM OPT extension before your Post-OPT end date. Please keep in mind that the ISSC has up to a 7-business day processing time once receiving a completed eForm request. You must take our processing time into consideration and plan ahead. The ISSC processes requests in the order in which they are received; therefore, we do not take expedition requests into consideration. It is your responsibility to submit your documentation in a timely manner.