OPT and STEM OPT, defined
Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorises F-1 students to work in the US in their field of study for 12 months after graduation. If your degree is on the STEM-designated list, and you're working for an employer enrolled in E-Verify, you can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of that, for up to 36 months total on the same F-1 status (USCIS).
For a student choosing between countries, this single fact often reshapes the whole decision. Our UK vs US Master's guide covers how the 36-month STEM OPT runway compares against the UK's Graduate Route.
36 months is the ceiling, not the default. It requires a STEM-designated degree and an E-Verify employer, both of which need checking early, not after you graduate.
The employer requirements that trip people up
Two requirements catch students off guard because they depend on the employer, not just the student. First, the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, the federal system that confirms work eligibility, and not every company is. Second, before your school can issue a STEM-recommended I-20, you and your employer must both complete and sign Form I-983, a training plan describing your role and learning objectives.
Once you're on STEM OPT, the obligations continue: you're expected to report to your Designated School Official (DSO) roughly every six months to confirm your details, even if nothing has changed, and any change of employer, job title, or work location generally needs to be reported and can require an updated I-983.
| Requirement | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Employer must be E-Verify enrolled | Confirm this before accepting an offer if STEM OPT matters to you, not after |
| Form I-983 signed by both parties | Required before your STEM-recommended I-20 can be issued |
| Periodic reporting to your DSO | Roughly every 6 months, even with no changes |
| Report material changes within days | Employer, title, or work-location changes usually need prompt reporting |
Ask about E-Verify status during the interview process, not after you've signed an offer. It's a two-minute question that can protect two extra years of work authorisation.
The filing timeline that actually matters
You can file your STEM OPT extension as early as 90 days before your current OPT authorisation expires, and no later than the expiration date itself. Filing early in that window is the single biggest lever a student controls, because 2026 processing times commonly run three to five months, well beyond the 90-day filing window itself.
If you file on time and your current OPT expires while the extension is still pending, USCIS automatically extends your work authorisation for 180 days, so a slow processing queue doesn't force you out of work. That protection only applies if the application was filed before your existing authorisation ran out.
File on day one of the 90-day window if you can. The 180-day automatic extension is a safety net, not a reason to file late on purpose.
Where students lose time they didn't need to lose
In my experience advising students through this, the most common avoidable delay isn't USCIS processing, it's discovering an employer isn't E-Verify enrolled only after accepting an offer, or leaving Form I-983 until the last few weeks of OPT when it needs a supervisor's signature and coordination with your DSO. Both are entirely avoidable with a conversation that happens weeks earlier.
Key takeaways
- OPT gives 12 months; a STEM-designated degree with an E-Verify employer extends that to 36 months total.
- Form I-983 must be signed by you and your employer before your STEM-recommended I-20 can be issued.
- File the extension within the 90-day window before expiry; 2026 processing commonly takes 3 to 5 months.
- A 180-day automatic extension protects on-time filers whose application is still processing when current OPT expires.
- Confirm E-Verify status during the job search, not after signing an offer.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I work in the US after a master's on OPT?
Post-completion OPT gives 12 months of work authorisation. If your degree is STEM-designated and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you can apply for a further 24-month STEM OPT extension, for up to 36 months total.
When should I file my STEM OPT extension application?
As early as 90 days before your current OPT authorisation expires, and no later than the expiration date itself. Filing early is the single biggest lever you control, since 2026 processing commonly runs 3 to 5 months.
What is Form I-983 and why does it matter?
Form I-983 is a training plan that you and your employer must both complete and sign before your school can issue the STEM-recommended I-20. Without it, your STEM OPT application cannot be filed at all.
Does my employer need to do anything special for STEM OPT?
Yes. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and must sign your Form I-983 training plan as your supervisor. Not every employer is enrolled, so confirming this early avoids a late surprise.
What happens if my OPT expires while my STEM OPT application is pending?
If you filed on time, USCIS automatically extends your work authorisation for 180 days while the extension is processed, so a pending application does not force you to stop working.
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Sources & further reading
- Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students — USCIS
- I-983 supplemental guidance — Northeastern University Office of Global Services