Beyond OPT, the government has allowed individuals who have a degree in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields to seek OPT extensions. This is allowed when an employer has signed up for the E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is required in order for you to apply for an extension to OPT. You can apply for up to 24 months of additional OPT.
Recently, however, requirements on the STEM OPT extension have become stricter. With this new program, an employer must not only continue to be signed up for the E-Verify program but must also complete a special form to outline details of a training program for you. If you’re already in the older system of a seventeen-month extension, you may apply to extend the seventeen months for an additional seven months – which will amount to the same twenty-four-months as in the new system.
Note that you can even apply for a STEM OPT extension based on a prior degree. This prior degree, however, must meet certain requirements, including being a U.S. accredited program.
Similar to the initial OPT period, there is an unemployment prohibition. Currently, you can’t have more than 90 days of unemployment during the initial OPT period and no more than 60 days of unemployment during the STEM OPT extension.