91导航

91导航 UCM Logo - Universities in Missouri
Visit UCMVisit   Open CalendarEvents 
Toggle MenuCampus Links
Search the UCM website

 

Search the UCM website
 

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Future Students
  3. Admissions
  4. International Admissions
  5. Current Students - International
  6. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
  7. OPT STEM Extension
Click to print this page

OPT STEM Extension

Application Requirements:

  • UCM I-20
    • - must be submitted to International Student Services.
    • and - At the time of submission, the complete I-983 must be submitted to isss@ucmo.edu and the ISS fee must be paid. We only require one STEM OPT fee payment. Changes in employment do not require an additional fee. 
    • You can apply for STEM OPT at least 90 days before your Post-Completion OPT end date and up 1 day before your the last day of your Post-Completion OPT
  • USCIS Request
    •  - Once the OPT STEM Extension I-20 is received, OPT STEM Extension applications must then be submitted to USCIS through the online I-765 application.
    • USCIS requests proof of UCM accreditation. This linked document can be uploaded to your application. 

If you will be applying for STEM OPT between September 15, 2026 and March 18, 2027 and you have not traveled outside of the U.S., on or after September 15, 2026, you will not need to complete the I-539 Extension of Stay application. You will only need to complete the I-765 application for OPT. 

If you travel outside of and return to the  U.S on or after September 15, 2026, you will be subject to the new regulations and will have to complete the I-539 Extension of Stay and I-765 STEM OPT applications at the same time. 

We strongly advise against international travel while your STEM OPT application is pending with USCIS. Traveling outside the U.S. while your application is pending may result in USCIS or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) considering your application abandoned, potentially jeopardizing your re-entry and nonimmigrant status. 

All students who are applying for OPT after March 18, 2027 will have to complete both the I-539 Extension of Stay and the I-765 STEM OPT application at the same time.

  • OPT STEM Extension Approval
    • - must be submitted upon USCIS confirmation that you are approved for OPT STEM Extension.

Students may continue working on OPT for up to 180 days after the original OPT end date while USCIS is processing the submitted OPT STEM Extension application.

Upcoming OPT STEM Extension Live webinars (click the link to register):

OPT STEM Extension Resources:

  • and

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Degree complete -  The UCM degree must be awarded by the time that the OPT STEM Extension application is submitted.
    • All outstanding U grades must be complete.
    • Degree awarded must be indicated on the final transcript.
  • Degree is STEM eligible - Only students who have completed certain UCM degrees are eligible to apply for the OPT STEM Extension.
    • The following list of are STEM Eligible.
    • If a student's program is not on the list, they may not apply for OPT STEM Extension.
    • Notice: Each school has different STEM eligible programs. One school may have a program that is STEM eligible, but at another school the same program is not STEM eligible.

This is due to the unique assigned to programs at each school.

  • Job Offer - The employer must offer a paid position within the student's degree field. The employer must be and the position must include 20 hours of work per week or more.

Application Period and Deadlines:

  • You may apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension up to ninety (90) days before your Post-Completion OPT end date. USCIS must not receive the application before or after the application window.
  • USCIS must receive your application within sixty days of the date your DSO issues the STEM OPT I-20 recommendation in SEVIS, and no later than the final expiration date of your Post-Completion OPT EAD card. We strongly advise submitting your application at least 30 days prior to expiration to avoid filing rejections.

Under the DHS regulations effective September 15, 2026, requesting a STEM OPT extension automatically includes an Extension of Stay (EOS) request. 

  • You only need to file Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). Do not file Form I-539 for a STEM OPT extension. 
  • Timely filing Form I-765 before your post completion OPT card expires automatically extends your employment authorization for up to 180 days while USCIS adjudicates your STEM OPT.
  • Within 60 days of OPT STEM Extension I-20 issuance.
  • If application is not submitted to USCIS within the 60 day period, contact isss@ucmo.edu to request an OPT I-20 cancellation and reissue.
  • If a 'rejection notice' is received from USCIS, contact isss@ucmo.edu to request an OPT I-20 cancellation and reissue.
    • This is especially important if resubmission after the rejection notice will near the 60 day period from when the OPT I-20 was issued.

Health Insurance:

For information regarding enrolling in UCM Health Insurance while on OPT please go back to the forms page and select Health Insurance. 

 

OPT STEM Employment Updates

Students approved for 24 month OPT are required to update employer details within 10 days each time that they begin working for a new employer.  Please complete the following form and submit a new form I-983 to update 24 Month OPT STEM employment details.

social-section