150 days in total
A student with a 24-month STEM OPT extension may not accrue more than 150 days of unemployment during the whole OPT period, which includes the post-completion OPT before the extension. The extension therefore adds 60 days to the 90 that post-completion OPT allows. Days used before the extension stay used.
| Days used on post-completion OPT | Days left during STEM OPT |
|---|---|
| 0 | 150 |
| 40 | 110 |
| 90 | 60 |
The SEVIS Help Hub says the same thing: the STEM limit includes any of the remaining 90 days from standard post-completion OPT. Enter the STEM OPT start date in the tracker and the limit changes to 150 from that day.
What the extension requires
- The employer is enrolled in and uses E-Verify.
- The job is at least 20 hours per week.
- The student submits a Form I-983 training plan to the DSO. A new Form I-983 is due within 10 days of starting with a new employer during the extension.
- Self-employment is not available during the extension, and the employer EIN is required in the SEVIS record.
When the extension starts
SEVIS sets the requested start date of the STEM OPT extension to the day after the current post-completion OPT end date, and the end date is 24 months after that. USCIS must receive the application within 60 days after the DSO recommends the extension and no later than the end date of the current OPT. If the application is filed on time and the current OPT expires while it is pending, work authorization is extended automatically by 180 days.
Reporting during the extension has more steps than during post-completion OPT. They are listed in OPT reporting requirements.
Updated: November 4, 2026