STEM OPT Extension Based on a Prior Degree

The hard deadline for students to request a STEM OPT I-20 from OIS is 15 business days before their Post-Completion OPT EAD end date. However, students may request their STEM OPT I-20 from OIS as early as 90 days before their post-completion OPT EAD end date. 

OIS recommends submitting the STEM OPT I-20 Request as soon as the student’s application period opens.

When completing the STEM OPT I-20 (Prior Degree) Request, students must enter a STEM OPT start date that is one day after their Post-Completion OPT end date. The system will then automatically calculate the STEM OPT end date to reflect the 24-month extension.

For example, if a student’s Post-Completion OPT ends on Nov. 19, 2026, they must request Nov. 20, 2026 as the STEM OPT start date. The system will then automatically calculate their STEM OPT end date as Nov. 19, 2028, which is 24 months from the STEM OPT start date.

Students can request a STEM OPT I-20 from OIS through Trojan International. Students are required to pay a $200 administrative processing fee* to OIS before completing the rest of the form. 

Once the payment is confirmed, students will gain access to six short assessments to ensure they understand the application requirements and expectations during STEM OPT based on a prior degree. Once students pass each assessment, they must:

• Enter their STEM OPT information, which will include:
  • The day after their OPT EAD end date
  • STEM OPT Extension employer information, including, but not limited to, the company’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) and supervisor contact information. This information should match the Form I-983.
• Upload PDF copies of the following documents:
  • Current Post-Completion OPT EAD (front side only)
  • Completed Form I-983, typed and signed
  • A letter of explanation from the student explaining that they are applying based on a previously obtained degree. Include:
    • Date
    • Student’s name
    • SEVIS ID
    • I-94 Admission Number
    • STEM-eligible degree name with CIP code
    • A list of supporting documents being included for review
    • Student’s wet signature
  • Letter of support from employer on official letterhead, including:
    • Date
    • Employer contact information
    • Employer’s wet signature. 
  • Diploma and/or transcript to prove you received a STEM-eligible degree
  • One or both of the following:**
    • Photocopy of I-20 for previous degree with STEM OPT eligible CIP code, if applicable. This may be an I-20 from a school other than USC.
    • Letter from the school’s Designated School Official (DSO). This letter must be from a DSO at the school where the STEM-eligible degree was obtained and confirm that the student earned a degree on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s STEM-Eligible CIP code list. The letter must be on official school letterhead and signed by the DSO.

OIS takes 10 business days to process the STEM OPT Extension I-20 (Prior Degree) Request. The 10-business-day period does not begin until OIS receives a complete and accurate STEM OPT Extension I-20 (Prior Degree) Request.

An OIS advisor will review the student’s immigration record to determine whether the student has met all STEM OPT Extension eligibility requirements based on the prior degree eligibility requirements. OIS will email students via their USC email accounts if the STEM OPT Extension I-20 (Prior Degree) Request is incomplete or incorrect, at which point students will need to review, correct and resubmit a STEM OPT Extension I-20 Request in Trojan International. The 10-business-day processing time will restart once OIS receives the resubmission.

*The one-time, non-refundable OIS STEM OPT administrative processing fee supports OIS services related to U.S. Department of Homeland Security reporting requirements and maintenance of status throughout the period of request and STEM OPT Extension employment. Extended services provided to STEM OPT Extension students include I-20 travel endorsements, review and processing of mandated reports, and continued access to advisors for questions pertaining to their F-1 and STEM OPT Extension employment matters.

**If the student’s STEM-eligible degree was earned at USC and the student did not receive an I-20 for the degree, the student must first meet with an OIS advisor to request a DSO letter from OIS.

If the information provided on the STEM OPT Extension I-20 (Prior Degree) Request is accurate and no further clarification is needed, an OIS advisor will issue an electronically signed STEM OPT Extension I-20 (Prior Degree) and email it to the student’s USC email account. 

The STEM OPT Extension I-20 (Prior Degree) will indicate the student’s most recently obtained degree CIP major from USC and not the CIP major of their prior degree. For students who request a DSO Letter of Support, the letter will be included with the STEM OPT Extension I-20 (Prior Degree).

Once students receive their STEM OPT I-20 from OIS, they must print, sign and date it. USCIS does not permit students to sign Form I-20 electronically; therefore, students must sign Form I-20 by hand in black ink.

Students must quickly move on to the next step: filing Form I-765, as the STEM OPT I-20 is valid for only 60 days from the I-20 issue date, as shown in the example below.

• Students may file Form I-765 and all supporting documents as early as 90 days before their Post-Completion OPT EAD end date and no later than their Post-Completion OPT EAD end date.
• After receiving their STEM OPT I-20 from OIS, students must file Form I-765 and all supporting documents within 60 days of the I-20 issue date.
• USCIS follows Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) for submission deadlines. Your application must be submitted by 23:59 UTC on the specified deadline, regardless of your local time zone. To avoid denials for missed filing deadlines, we strongly recommend submitting your application at least one day before the due date. Please plan accordingly and confirm UTC conversions for your time zone.
• USCIS will deny any application received more than 60 days after the I-20 issue date or after the Post-Completion OPT EAD end date without exception. Students who are at risk of missing a deadline should contact OIS immediately.

• Make sure you are physically present in the United States when you file the Form I-765. Filing from outside the United States will result in a denial of your Form I-765.
• Ensure your bank account has sufficient funds to cover the non-refundable Form I-765 filing fee to avoid USCIS rejecting your application.
• Carefully review our guide to filing online Form I-765 for a STEM OPT Extension to avoid mistakes that could lead to a rejection, request for evidence or denial of your application.

Students will need to upload a copy of their hand-signed STEM OPT I-20 — along with other supporting documents — and pay the non-refundable Form I-765 filing fee using a credit or debit card. 

Filing the Form I-765 for STEM OPT Extension based on a prior degree requires the following documents to be uploaded to the institutional accreditation section of the application:

• Letter of explanation from the student
• Letter of support from employer
• One or both of the following:*
  • Photocopy of I-20 for previous degree with STEM OPT eligible CIP code. This may be an I-20 from a school other than USC.
  • Letter from the School’s Designated School Official (DSO). This letter must be from a DSO at the school where the STEM-eligible degree was obtained and confirm that the student earned a degree on the DHS STEM-Eligible CIP Code list. The letter must be on official school letterhead and signed by the DSO.

Students who want a response from USCIS before the estimated processing time can apply for Premium Processing for an additional fee.

To apply for Premium Processing, students can either request it when initially filing the I-765 application or file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, at a later time. USCIS guarantees a response within 30 business days of filing for students who apply for Premium Processing.

*If the student’s STEM-eligible degree was earned at USC and the student did not receive an I-20 for the degree, the student will request the letter from the DSO when completing the STEM OPT Extension I-20 (Prior Degree) Request.

If students anticipate moving while their Form I-765 is pending with USCIS, OIS recommends using a friend’s or family member’s mailing address for the I-765 application. 

If students use their own address on their I-765, OIS does not recommend changing it until after the student has been approved and received the EAD. Doing so can cause delays and/or denial of Form I-765 due to mismatched addresses.

If students move from their mailing address, they must notify USCIS by completing the online USCIS Change of Address form to try to prevent USCIS from sending their EAD to the incorrect address.

OIS strongly advises against changing employers while a STEM OPT Extension is pending with USCIS to avoid complications, delays or potential denials. 

If the change of employer is unavoidable and a student needs to change employers while their STEM OPT Extension application is pending, they must follow these steps within 10 days of the change:

Step 1: End Employment With Your Previous Company (If Applicable)

If the employment ended before the STEM OPT Extension start date, submit the OPT Employment Update in Trojan International and complete steps 1, 2B and 3.

If the employment ended on or after the requested STEM OPT Extension start date, submit the STEM OPT Extension Final I-983 Self-Evaluation Report in Trojan International.

Step 2: Add Employment With Your New Company

Submit the STEM OPT Employment Update in Trojan International and complete steps 1, 2A and 3. There is a 10-business-day processing time from the date OIS receives your completed request.

Step 3: Submit Updated Information to USCIS

OIS will email the updated STEM OPT I-20 with the new employer information to the student’s USC email account. Print, sign and date the Form I-20 by hand in black ink and make a copy. 

Then, create a letter addressed to USCIS that includes your full name, I-797 receipt number, and your new employer’s E-Verify name and E-Verify number.

Finally, upload a copy of the hand-signed I-20 and the letter addressed to USCIS to the “Unsolicited Evidence” section of your I-765 application through your myUSCIS account.

In December 2025, USCIS updated its policy on how photographs are collected and reused for immigration applications.

At this time, OPT and STEM OPT applicants must still submit two passport-style photos that meet U.S. Department of State passport photograph requirements, in accordance with current USCIS and OIS instructions.

USCIS may also determine that a new photo is needed and may require a biometrics services appointment at a local Application Support Center. If you receive a biometrics notice or scheduling instructions, you must follow them carefully.

Please regularly check your email, USPS mail and USCIS online account for a biometrics notice and to ensure your mailing address is up to date. If you receive any USCIS notice about photos or biometrics and have questions, submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice and then attend OIS advising for assistance.

If you have been notified that a biometrics appointment will be scheduled but have not received your biometrics appointment notice within two weeks, you should submit a USCIS Case Inquiry for Non-Delivery of Notice.

USCIS has expanded the use of social media review in certain immigration applications. As a result, officers will conduct a closer review of a student’s immigration history and compliance with U.S. laws and students’ online activity may be considered as part of USCIS’s vetting process. 

Promoting or supporting anti-American or antisemitic views will be considered serious negative factors and may lead to a denial of the application. The new policy is effective Aug. 19, 2025, and applies to both pending requests and those filed on or after that date.

If a student files their Form I-765 in a timely manner (i.e., within 60 days of STEM OPT I-20 issuance and prior to their EAD end date), they may continue working after their Post-Completion OPT EAD end date until a decision has been made or for 180 days — whichever comes first. Please review your I-797C Notice of Action: Receipt for additional verbiage from USCIS.

If the STEM OPT Extension application is approved, USCIS will issue an approval notice, which will be available in the student’s myUSCIS account.

In addition to the approval notice, USCIS will send students their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) via USPS. Students must check the EAD for accuracy.

If an error is made on the EAD, students should join OIS drop-in advising to speak with an advisor. Examples of mistakes could include:

• Misspelled name
• Incorrect birthdate
• Incorrect category
• Incorrect start and/or end date

If you used Premium Processing and received an incorrect EAD, email psc-premium.processing@uscis.dhs.gov, provide a detailed explanation of the situation and attach a scan of the EAD with the error for further guidance. Make sure to keep copies of all correspondence and receipts for your records.

If you did not use Premium Processing, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Submit an I-20 Reprint Request

Submit an I-20 Reprint Request via Trojan International to get a printout of your STEM OPT I-20 that shows your STEM OPT Extension approval.

Step 2: Document the Original EAD Error

Make a photocopy of the original EAD with the error and keep it for your records.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

Collect the following documents:

• Original EAD with the error
• Detailed letter explaining the EAD error
• Copy of the most recently issued STEM OPT Extension I-20
• Supporting documentation for the correct information (e.g., passport bio page)

Step 4: Mail Your Request to USCIS

Mail your documents to the USCIS center using USPS and ensure you obtain a tracking number. USCIS typically processes a replacement request due to USCIS error within about 30 days.

Step 1: Submit an I-20 Reprint Request

Submit an I-20 Reprint Request via Trojan International to obtain a new copy of your I-20 showing your STEM OPT Extension approval.

Step 2: File a New Form I-765

File a new Form I-765 via the USCIS website. 

Under “Reason for Applying,” select “Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document.” 

Under “Previous Form I-765,” select “Yes.”

Include the following documents:

• Copy of the most recently issued STEM OPT Extension I-20 (Prior Degree)
• Copy of the I-797 STEM OPT Extension Approval Notices
• Copy of your STEM OPT Extension EAD, if available

Finally, pay the Form I-765 filing fee.

USCIS typically processes replacement EAD requests in three to five months. Students who want to receive a quicker response may apply for Premium Processing.

Make sure to keep copies of all submitted documents and receipts for your records.

USCIS may send students an I-797C Notice of Action: Rejection, Request for Evidence (RFE), or an I-797C Notice of Action: Denial. If you receive one of these notices, you must submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice form to receive further guidance. After submitting the form, an advisor will review your case and follow up with the next steps.

Rejection

If an application is rejected, the student will receive an I-797C Notice of Action: Rejection. USCIS will indicate the reason for rejection on the I-797C. A student who receives a rejection notice should:

1. Submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice form.
2. Meet with an advisor during OIS drop-in advising to determine eligibility to resubmit Form I-765.
3. If eligible, request an updated STEM OPT I-20 using the STEM OPT I-20 Reprint Request in Trojan International.
4. File a new Form I-765, along with supporting documents, through myUSCIS no more than 60 days after the new STEM OPT I-20 issue date and before their Post-Completion OPT EAD end date.

Request for Evidence

A student may receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) if USCIS needs more information before processing their application. The RFE will specify which additional documents are required and the specific deadline for responding. The student will need to submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice form before responding to the RFE.

Notice of Intent to Deny

Upon review of the supporting evidence, USCIS may identify concerns and issue a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). This warning letter allows students to provide any new evidence addressing the concerns noted. The NOID includes a response deadline and failure to respond by that date can result in a denial of their application. The student will need to submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice form before responding to the NOID.

Denial

If an application is denied, the student will receive an I-797C Notice of Action: Denial for the STEM OPT application, which will indicate the reason for the denial. Due to USCIS processing times, a student denied may not be eligible to reapply if the end date of their Post-Completion OPT EAD has passed. A student who receives a denial notice should:

1. Submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice form.
2. Immediately meet with an advisor during OIS drop-in advising to determine eligibility to resubmit Form I-765.
3. If eligible, request an updated STEM OPT I-20 using the STEM OPT I-20 Reprint Request in Trojan International.
4. File a new Form I-765, along with supporting documents, through myUSCIS no more than 60 days after the new STEM OPT I-20 issue date and before their Post-Completion OPT EAD end date.

Students who miss the filing deadline should join OIS drop-in advising to discuss their plans with an advisor.

In addition to complying with U.S. laws and immigration requirements, a student’s OPT must meet the following requirements. Failure to meet these requirements may result in the automatic termination of the student’s SEVIS record by SEVP and/or USCIS:

• Employer must be enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system.
• Employer must have a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes.
• Employer must have and maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student.
• Employers must implement a formal training program to augment the students’ academic learning through practical experience.
• Students must be paid for their practical training. Volunteer/unpaid training is not permitted on the STEM OPT Extension.
• Employers must provide STEM OPT students with compensation comparable to that of U.S. workers performing similar duties and with similar educational and professional backgrounds. While OIS will verify that a student is receiving compensation, we cannot verify whether that compensation is appropriate for the position. This responsibility falls to the employer, who will attest in Section 4 of Form I-983 that the compensation is appropriate.
• When applying for the STEM OPT Extension, students must begin working for the employer on or before the STEM OPT Extension start date.
• The employment must be directly related to the student’s STEM-designated degree program.
• Students must work 20 hours or more per week.
• Students and their employers must attest to the accuracy of the information on Form I-983.
• Students on STEM OPT are permitted to work for more than one employer. However, each employer must meet all eligibility requirements, including working at least 20 hours per individual employer. Students must file a Form I-983 for each employer. Please follow the instructions for adding an employer under the changes to employment section below.
• Students may work remotely within the United States. Refer to the sample Form I-983 for instructions on how to report this on the Form I-983. If you are switching modalities from in-person to remote, refer to the “changes to current STEM OPT employer” row of the changes to employment table below for instructions on updating OIS.

Students may not exceed 150 days of unemployment during STEM OPT. Any unemployment days accrued during the Post-Completion OPT period will count toward the allotted days.

Source: USCIS

Students must submit the SEVIS U.S. Address and Contact Update via Trojan International within 10 days of any change in their U.S. address.

Students must submit data validation and/or evaluation reports to OIS every six months (at six, 12, 18 and 24 months) while on STEM OPT. Students may submit their data validation and evaluation reports to OIS via Trojan International up to 30 days before the due date. OIS is unable to update late submissions in SEVIS. Missing a reporting deadline can negatively affect a student’s immigration status, so please set reminders as needed.

OIS processing time is 10 business days from the date OIS receives the validation/evaluation in Trojan International.

Students must report any employment changes during an authorized STEM OPT period to Trojan International within 10 days of the change. Please refer to the chart below for instructions on what type of changes to report and how to submit the update to OIS.

Students must apply to their new program, be admitted and be issued a new I-20 from the USC Graduate Admission office before the end of the grace period. Proof of funding is required to issue the new I-20. Please contact the USC Graduate Admission office with questions regarding I-20 issuance; the request category should be “immigration matters.”

Students must apply to another institution, be admitted and have their USC SEVIS record transferred out to the new institution before the end of the 60-day grace period. In addition, the start date at the transfer-in school must be within five months of the last date the student is on STEM OPT. For instructions on requesting a SEVIS transfer, refer to our page on attending another institution.

Students may choose to depart the United States upon completion of their STEM OPT. They must depart by the end of their 60-day grace period.

If eligible for another nonimmigrant or immigrant status, students may apply for a change of status with USCIS. USCIS must receive the application to change the immigration status before the end of the grace period.