Maintaining Status While on STEM OPT Extension

Maintain Valid Degree Related Employment

You must work in a paid position related to your STEM major for at least 20 hours per week with an E-Verify employer. No volunteer, unpaid position, no self-employment is allowed during the STEM OPT Extension. Also, work is only permitted on the dates that the EAD is issued. You cannot work before the EAD start date and cannot work after the EAD end date.

Do Not Exceed 150 Days of Unemployment

Students on post-completion OPT are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment. Students who receive a STEM OPT extension are given an additional 60 days of unemployment for a total of 150 days over their entire post-completion OPT period. Exceeding this maximum is considered a violation of your F-1 status and can result in a termination of your I-20 or denial of future benefits, such as the H-1B visa.

Limit Any Study to Part Time

While on approved STEM OPT your F-1 status depends on maintaining your employment. If you wish to study, do so only on a part-time basis. If you want to start a full time program at CSUF or another school, you must alert the ISS office that you need to transfer or change your level of education. Doing so will end your work benefit, but will allow you to study full time. There are no options for F-1 students that will allow full time study and use of the STEM OPT benefit at the same time; you will need to choose one or the other.

Get Approval before Traveling Outside of the U.S.

If you are planning on traveling outside the U.S., you must have a valid travel signature on the I-20 in order to re-enter the U.S. Fill out the  Travel I-20 request at least two weeks before you leave the U.S. to allow the ISS office adequate time to process your request. If you travel outside the U.S. and try to re-enter on an expired travel signature, CBP may deny you entry at the border and you may be forced to return to your home country.

Act Before your Grace Period Expires

You must leave the U.S. or transfer to another SEVP-approved school no later than 60 days after your STEM OPT ends. You can verify your STEM OPT end date by looking at your EAD card. If you exit the U.S. during your grace period, you cannot return in F-1 status because your CSUF I-20 and EAD card will not be valid for re-entry.

To transfer before the deadline, submit a  Transfer-Out request. Processing time may take up to two weeks, so submit the transfer paperwork to the ISS office at least two weeks before your grace period expires.