OPT and OPT STEM Extension
What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
OPT is authorized employment which is directly related to a student’s major area of
study but is not integral to a student’s curriculum. It requires USCIS approval and
can take up to 3 months to approve.
There are three types of OPT:
1. (c3A) Pre-Completion OPT
- Not recommended, contact a member of the OISSS team for more information.
2. (c3B) Post-Completion OPT
- Most commonly used OPT authorization.
- Up to 12 months of authorized employment after the completion of a program of study and for no longer than 14 months from the program end date.
- Can be paid or unpaid employment, 20 hours a week or more.
- All majors are eligible.
- Can apply up to 90 days before their program end date and up to 60 days after.
- Don’t need a job offer to apply.
- Submit an OPT Pre-Approval e-form via the iRocket Portal to begin application process. Go to iRocket Portal.
3. (c3C) STEM OPT Extension
- Only STEM majors are eligible.
BA/BS/BBA/BSPS STEM Major List
BA in Astronomy
BA in Biology
BA in Data Analytics
BA in Economics
BA in Environmental Studies
BA in Geography
BA in Psychology
BBA in Information Systems
BS in Construction Engineering Technology
BS in Comp Sci and Engineering Technology
BS in Electrical Engineering Technology
BS in Bioengineering
BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology
BS in Biochemistry
BS in Biology
BS in Chemistry
BS in Data Science
BS in Environmental Sciences
BS in Information Technology
BS in Mathematics
BS in Medical Lab Science
BS in Neuroscience
BS in Physics
BS in Chemical Engineering
BS in Computer Science
BS in Environmental Engineering
BS in Electrical Engineering
BS in Mechanical Engineering
BSPS in Cosmetic Science & Formulation Design
BSPS in Pharmaceutics
BSPS in Doctor of Pharmacy
BS in Computer Science and Engineering
BS in Civil Engineering
MA/MBA/MABA/MS/ME/MSBS/MSPS STEM Major List
MA in Economics
MA in Geography
MA in Psychology
MABA in Applied Business Analytics
MBA in Information Systems
ME in Educational Technology
MS in Engineering
MS in Medicinal Chemistry
MS in Biomedical Science-Bioinformatics
MS in Biomedical Science-Cancer Biology
MS in Biomedical Science-Medical Sciences
MS in Biomedical Science-Transplantation Sciences
MS in Biomedical Science-Molecular Medicine
MS in Biomedical Science-Medical Physics
MS in Biology
MS in Chemistry
MS in Cyber Security
MS in Environmental Science
MS in Geology
MS in Mathematics
MS in Physics
MS in Bioengineering
MSBS Assistant in Pathology
MS in Chemical Engineering
MS in Electrical Engineering
MS in Mechanical Engineering
MSPS in Industrial Pharmacy
MSPS in Pharmacology and Toxicology
MS in Civil Engineering
PhD STEM Major List
PhD in Medicinal Chemistry
PhD in Manufacturing and Tech Management
PhD in Engineering
PhD in Biomedical Science
PhD in Biomedical Science
PhD in Biomedical Science
PhD in Biology
PhD in Biomedical Engineering
PhD in Chemistry
PhD in Curriculum-Instruction: Education Tech
PhD in Environmental Science
PhD in Experimental Therapeutics
PhD in Mathematics
PhD in Physics
PhD in Psychology
PhD in Spatially-Integrated Social Sciences
- 24 months of authorized employment after the completion of a post-completion OPT.
- Can apply up to 90 days before the end of post-completion OPT and no later than the end of post-completion OPT.
- Job offer from an e-verify registered employer required to apply.
- Must be paid employment, 20 hours a week or more.
- Submit an OPT STEM Extension Request e-form via the iRocket Portal to begin application process. Go to iRocket Portal.
OPT Reporting Requirements
Students must report via the iRocket Portal using the OPT/STEM Employment Reporting e-form and choosing the appropriate Reason for Reporting category within the form. Go to iRocket Portal.
The first report required during OPT should use the reason category: Initial OPT Employment, and should be submitted within 10 days of beginning the first job on OPT.
Students on OPT are required to report every 6 months from the start of their approved
OPT period.
During OPT any major changes to employment or home address must be reported within
10 days of the change.
OPT Resources
For more OPT Information, go to USCIS's OPT for F-1 Students.
More STEM OPT Information, visit USCIS's OPT Training Extension for Stem Students.
Calculate STEM OPT reporting dates at OPT Calculator Stem.
See the list of Department of Homeland Security Approved STEM Majors.
Learn about applying for a STEM Extension using a previous degree at Department of Homeland Security's Determing STEM OPT Extension Eligibility.