Please note : The information provided in this post was accurate and up-to-date at the time of posting. Due to the dynamic nature of immigration policy, it is possible that the information or links provided may have changed over time. Users are advised to verify the accuracy and relevance of the content.
Eligible students currently on 12-Month OPT may qualify to apply for a 24-Month STEM OPT Extension to receive an additional 2 years of employment authorization directly related to their STEM degree program. To check if a specific UCB major is STEM eligible, review the Berkeley International Office UCB Major/CIP Code List.
Detailed information for students and employers can also be found on the DHS webpage Study in the States OPT STEM Hub.
UC Berkeley Departments hiring F-1 students on STEM OPT Extension should review the Hiring Students on F-1 OPT webpage. This page contains important informaiton needed for the I-983 training form for UC Berkeley STEM employees.
The STEM OPT Extension is a 24-month extension of approved F-1 12-Month OPT. Eligible students may apply for a 24-Month STEM OPT Extension up to 90 days prior to the expiration of their current OPT EAD.
To be eligible for the STEM OPT Extension OPT:
* For E-filed applications, USCIS uses UTC or Coordinated Universal Time to determine the time/date filed. If you are filing CLOSE to your deadline check the UTC time/date of filing!
YES! You must be employed or have a future job offer for at least 20 hours per week or more, directly related to your STEM field of study from an employer who is registered in the USCIS E-Verify Program. STEM-eligible employers must have e-Verify & EIN numbers and the student must have a "bona fide employer-employee relationship". To establish a bona fide relationship, the employer may not be the student’s “employer” in name only. Employment must be paid and "commensurate with the terms and conditions of employment for other similarly situated U.S. workers in the area of employment”. Volunteer (unpaid) employment is NOT permitted.
See the Employment/Unemployment section below regarding what types of employment are allowed.
During your pending STEM OPT application and after the STEM OPT approval by USCIS, F-1 students will remain in F-1 status under the I-20 sponsorship of UC Berkeley. The STEM OPT Extension is a benefit of your F-1 status and extends your ability to remain in the United States for the purpose of seeking employment in your STEM field of study. This means that you will continue to use your UC Berkeley STEM OPT I-20 and F-1 documents to travel and you will still need to get fresh travel signatures from BIO (every 6 months). This also means that BIO is still responsible for reporting changes about your status to SEVIS and helping you maintain your F-1 status while you are on OPT.
Yes, you will need a Social Security Number (SSN) for any paid employment in the United States. If you haven’t already received an SSN during your OPT period, you can apply for a replacement SSN as part of your STEM OPT application to USCIS. (Or if you lost your original SSN card, you can apply for a replacement at that time.) You will not receive the SSN card until after your STEM OPT is approved.
The application process involves both BIO and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and can take months. STEM OPT applications must be received in a specific time frame and the application can be rather complex. We require all students to carefully review BIO's STEM OPT tutorial for full details on applying for STEM OPT. Once a student is approved for STEM OPT, they will receive a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS.
The STEM OPT application process involves two major parts. First you must apply to BIO for a STEM OPT recommendation on your I-20. Then you must submit a STEM OPT application, including a signed copy of your STEM OPT I-20, to USCIS. Keep in mind that BIO has a 5-business day processing time for the STEM I-20. (You must submit your STEM I-20 request AT LEAST 2 weeks before your current OPT EAD expires).
* For E-filed applications, USCIS uses UTC or Coordinated Universal Time to determine the time/date filed. If you are filing CLOSE to your deadline check the UTC time/date of filing!
Generally, BIO recommends applying for STEM OPT as early as possible. Applying early increases your chances of being able to reapply if your application is rejected or denied.
Step 1. Check if your UCB major is STEM eligible using the Berkeley International Office UCB Major/CIP Code List OR see the current STEM Designated Degree list linked here. (You can check the CIP code listed on your I-20.)
Step 2. Review the STEM OPT tutorial for a complete overview of the process. for detailed instructions on both the BIO application process and submission to USCIS. Pay careful attention to the tutorial as it contains specific information as to how to complete the I-983. It is required that you view the tutorial prior to applying . Failure to fully review the tutorial may result in application errors and cause OPT denials or violations of F-1 status.
Step 3. Log in to the Student SEVIS Update (SSU) system to submit your STEM application to BIO. (Follow all steps carefully as most processing delays are due to failure to update all new required fields in SSU.) You must:
Step 5. BIO will issue you a new STEM OPT I-20 with a 24-Month Extension recommendation. You will provide your delivery method for the I-20 in your SSU Hub form (email recommended!) Your new I-20 will be ready within 5 business days. Upon receipt of your I-20, please review it closely for accuracy.
Step 6. Submit a 24-Month STEM Extension request to USCIS. (Detailed instructions available in the STEM OPT tutorial)
You don’t need to choose a start date! Your STEM OPT will be issued with a start date effective the day after your original 12-Month OPT EAD expires. As long as you have submitted a timely filed STEM application to USCIS, you can continue working for up to 180 days after the expiration of your original OPT EAD while you wait for the STEM EAD approval.
BIO I-20 Processing
Processing time for an OPT STEM I-20 from Berkeley International Office is 5 business days. Expedites from BIO are not available.
USCIS Processing Time
Check USCIS’s current OPT and STEM OPT processing times. (link is external) Select Form: “I-765”Form Category: “Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]” Service Center: “Potomac Service Center”. (Over the years, BIO has observed processing times ranging from 1-5 months, with most processed within 90 days.)
USCIS does offer "Premium Processing" for the OPT and STEM OPT I-765. See below.
"Premium Processing" is available from USCIS for the form I-765 for OPT and OPT STEM Extensions.
What is premium processing?
How can I request premium processing?
Is it worth it?
Are there any other ways to expedite a USCIS request free of cost?
USCIS almost always denies F-1 student expedite requests for OPT. You can find USCIS expedite criteria here.
See the OPT STEM tutorial for common STEM denial reasons. Contact BIO as soon as possible regarding the error, and we will see what options are available to you.
If this is your situation, please contact BIO to speak to an international student adviser as soon as possible so that we can advise you on next steps.
There are two ways to apply for H1B: via change of status and via consular processing. When an employer files an H1-B I-129 petition via Change of Status application and at the same time an STEM OPT application is concurrently filed with USCIS, this can sometimes cause complications in your SEVIS record. We have prepared supplementary letters for you to add to your STEM application and help USCIS avoid these complications.
You need to answer 4 questions:
In some cases, your UC Berkeley Major Name on your transcript/diploma does not match the CIP Code name listed on page 1 of your I-20. BIO recommends that students in these “CIP Code/Major Name Mismatch” programs submit a letter of explanation with the STEM application to avoid any confusion by USCIS. If you are in one of the following programs or majors, please print the letter for your program and include it with your STEM application to USCIS.
After you apply for STEM OPT, you will wait for USCIS approval. During your STEM OPT period, you will have new F-1 rules regarding employment and unemployment, reporting personal and employment information to BIO and SEVIS, as well as options when you come to the end of your F-1 24-month Month STEM OPT period.
It can take months for USCIS to process your OPT application, although a Premium Processing option is available for a very high price. Check USCIS’s current OPT and STEM OPT processing times to see the current timelines. (Over the years, BIO has observed processing times ranging from 1-5 months, with most processed within 90 days.)
If you E-FILE, you will be able to track your Case Status via your online USCIS account.
Note that your application will most likely stay in received status for the entirety of the processing time until it is approved. Check USCIS’s current OPT and STEM OPT processing times. Select Form: “I-765”Form Category: “Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]” Service Center: “Potomac Service Center”. (Over the years, BIO has observed processing times ranging from 1-5 months, with most processed within 90 days.)
The first week: E-FILE: You should receive your receipt notice online through your USCIS account. If there are any errors in the receipt notice in your name, address, or application type, contact a BIO adviser.
Within 30-45 days: You will also receive an I-797c receipt notice at your mailing address confirming the date of receipt and your receipt number. Keep this notice safe as it is your official proof that your OPT application was submitted. You may need it for travel or other purposes.
Around 1-3 months: You should receive an I-797 Notice of Approval letter and EAD card at your mailing address. (If E-FILING you will also receive the notice in your USCIS account.) These can come separately or at the same time. Check your EAD card to make sure all information is correct and upload it to BIO's SSU Hub. Be sure to update your employer with your new EAD card! If there are any errors on the EAD, contact a BIO adviser. Check USCIS’s current OPT and STEM OPT processing times. Select Form: “I-765”Form Category: “Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]” Service Center: “Potomac Service Center”. (Over the years, BIO has observed processing times ranging from 1-5 months, with most processed within 90 days.)
2 Weeks after receiving EAD card: if you requested a new Social Security card, you should receive your Social Security Card in the mail.
Generally, after your STEM OPT application is submitted to USCIS, you cannot change any of the information except for your mailing address. Click here for information about making changes to your STEM OPT Extension application, including withdrawing your application.
As long as you have submitted a timely filed STEM application to USCIS, you can continue working for up to 180 days after the expiration of your original OPT EAD while you wait for the STEM EAD approval. You may need to provide your employer with a copy of your I-765 receipt notice as evidence that the application is still pending. If your employer has questions, you can direct them to the USCIS I-9 page for “Foreign Academic Students”.
You would need to stop working immediately. Contact BIO if you are nearing your limit, and we can try to contact USCIS about your case.
Travel during the STEM OPT application process is allowed, but not always recommended as it poses certain risks. See our OPT Travel page for information on these risks as well as to learn about other requirements for travel while STEM OPT is pending.
There are several types of problems that may occur during your OPT application:
See Issues with OPT Application for further information and instructions. Please contact your BIO Advisor if you are experiencing issues.
During the period of OPT authorization, a student should be working or actively seeking employment. There are limits to what jobs count as employment and to the number of days you may remain unemployed.
As long as you have submitted a timely filed STEM application to USCIS, you can continue working for up to 180 days after the expiration of your original OPT EAD while you wait for the STEM EAD approval.
Federal regulations require that all employment that you engage in while on STEM OPT be directly related to your STEM major. As part of your STEM OPT authorization process, you’ll need to complete an I-983 Training plan for any new employer and explain the direct relation to your STEM major.
If the relationship between the job and a student's field of study is called into question by USCIS in the future, the burden of proof is on the student to demonstrate the relationship. BIO won't be able to advise you on specifically which jobs do/do not qualify as we are not experts in your field of study. If you need assistance determining the fit of a job offer, we recommend discussing this with your academic adviser, the Berkeley Career Engagement Center, or others in your field.
It is recommended that students maintain evidence for each job: the position held, duration of that position, the job title, contact information for the student’s supervisor or manager, and a description of the work. Students must always report employment to BIO online through our Student SEVIS Update (SSU) form. See OPT Reporting Requirements.
It’s possible to change employers during the STEM period, or have multiple employers. You need to request authorization on your STEM I-20 in advance of beginning any new position. Each and every job during the STEM period must meet all STEM requirements:
Federal law requires that you must update your employer information in BIO's online Student SEVIS Update (SSU) within 10 days of the change. See OPT Reporting Requirements for step-by-step instructions on how to add the new employer to your STEM I-20.
Remote work and absences from the US have restrictions during STEM OPT:
While on OPT, students must follow certain rules and regulations to maintain their proper F-1 status in the U.S.
During the period of OPT authorization, a student should be working or actively seeking employment.
The top 5 rules to remember while on STEM OPT are:
STEM OPT has very specific reporting requirements. You submit all updates online via the BIO SSU Hub.
See STEM Reporting Requirements for instructions on how to submit updates, validations, and evaluations.
Time spent going to school should only be an incidental part of your stay in the United States. You must be maintaining the primary purpose of STEM OPT. Beginning a full-time or degree-seeking program of study while on OPT is not allowed.
If you decide to go back to school full-time, you will need to transfer your SEVIS Record and I-20 to the new school. If returning to UC Berkeley, you'll need to obtain a new I-20 to reflect your new degree. See Going back to school in the United States below.
While on STEM OPT, you are subject to all applicable federal, state, and local taxes and must file a tax report. See more information at Taxes in the U.S.
Students who complete a program of study are no longer eligible to purchase a Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Health insurance is highly recommended due to the high cost of health care in the United States.
The Tang Center has information about insurance plans that can be purchased after graduation. BIO is aware of the following providers that have F-1 OPT health insurance options. BIO does not endorse any particular plans, and students should research and compare plans to determine if the coverage is sufficient for their needs.
Please see our OPT Travel page for more information regarding what you need to know about travel while on pending or approved STEM OPT.
In some cases, students may apply to extend their STEM OPT.
A Cap-Gap Extension extends an eligible F-1 student's status between the end of F-1 status while on STEM OPT and start of H-1B status. This allows the student to remain in the United States during the "gap."
You are allowed a 60-day grace period following your OPT expiration date to leave the United States, change your visa status, or transfer your F-1 record to a new school or program. In some cases, you may want to pursue these options before the end of your OPT. If you remain in the United States past the end of your 60-day grace period without transferring to a new school or program or having applied for a timely filed Change of Status, this is a violation of your F-1 status and could lead to current or future consequences to your US visa record.
If your plan is to depart the United States after your STEM OPT, you must do so within your 60-day grace period. You must stop working by the end date on your STEM EAD card.
If you are leaving the United States before the end date on your EAD, you must report this to Berkeley International Office so we can update your SEVIS record. See Reporting the Early Completion of your OPT for step-by-step instructions.
During STEM OPT: If you are approved for a change of visa status during your OPT, you must report this to Berkeley International Office so we can update your SEVIS record. See Reporting the Early Completion of your OPT for step-by-step instructions
After OPT: If you have a pending or approved change of status when or after your OPT ends, check with the immigration legal counsel working on your change of status application to determine what options are available to you and if you may remain in the United States past the end of your 60-day grace period without a negative impact to your immigration status
H-1B: If you have a pending or approved change of status to H-1B, you may be eligible for a Cap-Gap Extension I-20. Please consult with the immigration legal counsel working on your case.
During STEM OPT: Beginning a full-time program of study while on STEM OPT is not allowed. If you wish to start a new program while on STEM OPT, the remainder of the STEM OPT must be forfeited before beginning classes with the new program. If you are beginning a program of study at another U.S. school, you must request a Transfer Out of your F-1 SEVIS record to another school. If you are beginning a new program of study at UC Berkeley, you must request a Change of Level I-20. See Reporting the Early Completion of your OPT for step-by-step instructions
After STEM OPT: If you are planning to go back to school after your STEM OPT, you will need to request a Transfer Out of your F-1 SEVIS record to another school or request a Change of Level I-20 if returning to UC Berkeley. This must be done before the end of the 60-day grace period following the STEM OPT end date.
If interested in joining a program that does not have the authorization to admit F-1 students and thus cannot issue an I-20, students should discuss their options with the International Student Adviser at that school.
