Is my degree STEM OPT eligible?

How do I know if my degree is STEM for OPT?

Your degree qualifies if its CIP code is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The CIP code is the six-digit number on page 1 of your I-20, next to “Major 1”. Check the code, not the name: two schools can call the same programme different things, or the same name can carry different codes.

Which fields are always STEM?

Every code in four areas: Engineering (14), Biological and Biomedical Sciences (26), Mathematics and Statistics (27) and Physical Sciences (40). The list also names individual programmes in 18 related areas, such as Computer and Information Sciences (11), Data Science (30.7001) and Management Science (52.1301).

What else does the STEM extension need?

An employer enrolled in E-Verify, a Form I-983 training plan, and paid work of at least 20 hours a week related to your degree. Our guide, STEM OPT extension: who qualifies and when to apply, covers each step.