What majors are eligible for OPT STEM extension?

All fields of study in the four core STEM areas of engineering, biological sciences, mathematics and physical sciences are included.

What degrees are eligible for STEM OPT extension?

To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, an F-1 student must hold a bachelor's degree or a higher degree in an eligible STEM field from an SEVP-certified school that is accredited (by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) at the time the student submits their STEM OPT extension application ...

What are the new STEM majors for OPT?

OPT allows for 12 months of practical training. In January 2022, the Biden administration announced in a Federal Register notice that it would expand eligibility for STEM OPT by adding 22 qualifying fields of study, including cloud computing, anthrozoology, climate science, mathematical economics and others.

How do I know if my major is STEM?

Check that your major is correct and STEM eligible. On the first page of your I-20, towards the middle, your major is listed. Next to the major is a series of numbers, called the CIP code. If your CIP code is listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, then your major is eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.

Do STEM students get 3 years OPT?

Furthermore, the government will only grant STEM OPT to those who are in “Post-Completion” OPT. In other words, the program is for graduates, not current students. Combining Post-Completion OPT with the STEM extension allows you to stay in the US for three years after graduation on your F-1 student visa.

Important update on EB1,EB2 & EB3: Priority Date & Visa Bulletin | US Immigration Reform

How many years of OPT do STEM majors get?

The STEM extension of OPT will be 24 months in duration. Qualifying F-1 students will thus be eligible for a total of 36 months of OPT employment authorization, including the initial 12-month OPT period.

Can STEM OPT extension be denied?

What are common, avoidable reasons for STEM OPT Extension rejections or denials? Reason 1: USCIS received Form I-765 STEM OPT Extension application after OPT EAD end date. If USCIS receives the student's STEM OPT Extension application after their OPT EAD end, their STEM OPT Extension application will be denied.

What major is not STEM?

A non-STEM major is a major that isn't in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. This means non-STEM majors include those in business, literature, education, arts, and humanities.

Is MBA considered STEM?

Business is not automatically a STEM major. When a program presents a curriculum that emphasizes business analytics, technology, or data modeling, the MBA program can qualify for STEM designation.

What is the hardest STEM major?

Does MBA give you STEM OPT?

While some MBA programs – such as Chicago Booth, Wharton, Virginia Darden – now offer specific concentrations that qualify international students for STEM OPT, others – such as Berkeley Haas, Carnegie Mellon Tepper, and Rochester Simon – qualify MBA graduates of all majors in their MBA programs for this extension.

When should I start applying for STEM OPT?

You can request your STEM OPT Extension I-20 from ISS as early as 90 days before your current 12-month OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card expiration date. USCIS must receive your STEM OPT extension application before your current 12-month OPT EAD Card expiration date.

Does OPT STEM require sponsorship?

OPT is a type of F-1 off campus work authorization for degree-seeking students who wish to gain experience in jobs directly related to their major area of study. Other Characteristics of OPT: No employer sponsorship needed. Students must be enrolled for one year before applying for OPT.

What is the acceptance rate for STEM OPT extension?

QUESTION 4: On average 97% of I765 OPT STEM extensions were approved in fiscal years 2015-2019.

How much does OPT STEM extension cost?

FILING FEE PAYMENT OF $410.00 (See USCIS guidelines for paying fees). TWO (2) PHOTOGRAPHS. These must meet the requirements outlined on page 20 of USCIS's Instructions for Form I-765. Students should write their full name and USCIS # (on EAD) on the back of each photograph.

Can I do two full time jobs on STEM OPT?

You may work for more than one qualifying employer while on STEM OPT, but all employment must be related to your most recently completed degree program, all employers must be enrolled in E-Verify and complete reporting requirements (i.e. I-983s), and you must work a minimum of 20 hours a week for each employer.

What is the opt period for MBA?

Optional practical training

In most cases, when a foreign student completes an MBA program, the graduate will be eligible to work in the US, in the field of the graduate's studies, for a period of 12 months. This period is called Optional Practical Training, or OPT.

What is the most common STEM major?

What is the highest paid major?

1. Chemical Engineering. Engineering degrees are a common theme on this list. Engineering involves the practical application of math and science, primarily physics, to solve everyday problems.

How many majors are STEM?

STEM majors include health sciences, physics, engineering and information technology. For career-minded students, few fields offer better job prospects than science, technology, engineering and math, known collectively as STEM.

Why does STEM OPT get rejected?

This frequently occurs because students are unaware of the detailed application requirements. Common mistakes include submitting the incorrect check format, missing information on the I-765 form, forgetting to sign, providing incorrect information, and using the wrong OPT code.

How many times can you extend STEM OPT?

How Many Times Can I Get a STEM Extension? Twice, if your second application is based on earning a new degree at a higher level. You must first do a full year of 12-month OPT, then apply for the STEM extension. For example, a student may earn a bachelor's degree and do 12 months of OPT, then do 24 months of STEM OPT.

How long can I stay unemployed on STEM OPT?

Federal law limits how long F-1 students on post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT can be unemployed. The limits are: Post-completion OPT: 90 days. STEM OPT: 150 days, which includes any days accrued while on post-completion OPT.