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8 CFR § 274a.12(b)(6)(iv) / Form I-9 Reverification / $470 Online Fee

STEM OPT 180-Day Extension Guide (2026)

Understand how the 180-day automatic work extension operates when your initial EAD card expires, and how HR completes Form I-9.

The 180-Day Automatic Extension Rule

If you are an eligible F-1 student on post-completion OPT and timely and properly file Form I-765 for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, employment authorization continues until the USCIS written decision on the pending STEM OPT application or 180 days after the current post-completion OPT EAD expires, whichever occurs first, subject to the applicable federal rules.

Step-by-Step Form I-9 Reverification for HR

Document NameI-9 Field Records
1. Expired EAD CardEnter card title, card number, and original expiration date from the physical card.
2. Form I-20 with DSO RecommendationEnter SEVIS ID and DSO recommendation date on page 2.
3. Form I-797C Receipt NoticeEnter I-797C receipt number showing timely filing before EAD expiry.
Form I-9 "Additional Information" Entry:"EAD EXT" + Date (180 days from the EAD "Card Expires" date)

Employers should follow the current USCIS Form I-9 and M-274 instructions for the exact reverification situation.

Important I-9 / STEM OPT Scope Notes

The automatic employment-authorization extension is limited to the period specified by the federal rule: the USCIS written decision or 180 days after the current post-completion OPT EAD expires, whichever comes first.

USCIS employer guidance identifies the expired EAD, the I-797 receipt notice showing timely filing, and the DSO-endorsed STEM OPT Form I-20 as the document combination used for the STEM automatic-extension I-9 process. Employers should use the current Form I-9/M-274 instructions rather than relying on this page as a substitute for the official form instructions.

If USCIS approves the STEM application, employment continues under the new EAD. If USCIS denies the extension before the 180-day period ends, the automatic employment authorization ends on the denial date. If the 180-day period expires while the application remains pending, the automatic extension ends.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For a timely STEM OPT extension filing, USCIS employer guidance identifies the expired Form I-766 EAD, the USCIS Form I-797 receipt notice showing the timely I-765 filing, and the Form I-20 updated with the DSO's STEM OPT recommendation as the document combination used to establish the automatic extension for Form I-9 purposes. Employers should follow the current USCIS Form I-9/M-274 instructions for the employee's exact situation.

Yes. A STEM OPT employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and remain in good standing, and the employer must meet the other STEM OPT training-plan and employment requirements.

The automatic employment-authorization extension lasts until the USCIS written decision on the STEM OPT Form I-765 or 180 days after the current post-completion OPT EAD expires, whichever comes first. If USCIS has not decided by the end of the 180 days, the automatic employment authorization ends. If USCIS denies the application before 180 days, employment authorization ends on the denial date.

The current USCIS fee schedule lists $470 for online Form I-765 filing and $520 for paper filing, subject to the fee rules and filing category in effect when the application is submitted.

For a STEM OPT automatic extension, USCIS employer guidance instructs the employer to enter 'EAD EXT' and the date 180 days from the 'Card Expires' date on the EAD in the Form I-9 Additional Information field. Employers should follow the current USCIS M-274 instructions for the exact I-9 situation.

The STEM OPT applicant must properly file Form I-765 within 60 days of the date the DSO enters the 24-month STEM OPT recommendation in SEVIS. The filing must also be made no later than the expiration of the current post-completion OPT authorization.

Have questions about STEM OPT 180-day extensions, Form I-9 reverification, or E-Verify rules?

⬆️ Refer to FAQ Section Above
Official U.S. Government Portals

• USCIS I-9 Central STEM OPT Guidance: uscis.gov/i-9-central/stem-opt
• DHS Study in the States STEM Hub: studyinthestates.dhs.gov

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2026 At-A-Glance
Automatic Extension180 Days or USCIS Decision, Whichever Is Earlier
Form I-765 Fee$470 Online / $520 Paper
E-Verify Required?Yes (Mandatory)
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