STEM OPT extension fee 2026: $470 online, $520 by mail
The 24-month STEM OPT extension is filed on Form I-765 with the same fee as OPT: $470 online or $520 on paper, plus $1,780 if you want premium processing, according to the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) read on 30 October 2026. You can file up to 90 days before your current OPT EAD expires.
Form I-765 fee for the STEM extension: $470 online · $520 paper
Sources: USCIS, G-1055, Fee Schedule: Form I-765 (page updated 28 October 2026); USCIS, G-1055, Fee Schedule: Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service (page updated 28 October 2026); USCIS, Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) (page updated 30 January 2026). Read on 30 October 2026.
Not legal or immigration advice. This page reports what USCIS, ICE (SEVP) and the Federal Register said on the date we read them. Your designated school official (DSO) and USCIS decide on your case, and rules can change quickly: check with your DSO and USCIS before you file.
What you file
- Form I-765 with the fee, your employer's name as listed in E-Verify and its E-Verify company identification number.
- A Form I-20 endorsed by your DSO within the last 60 days, after your DSO has reviewed the Form I-983 training plan.
- A copy of your STEM degree (on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List).
Sources: USCIS, Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) (page updated 30 January 2026); U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Practical Training (page updated 10 December 2024). Read on 30 October 2026.
Fees
| What | Amount | Status | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form I-765, filed online (OPT, STEM OPT) | $470 | In force | USCIS, G-1055, Fee Schedule: Form I-765 (page updated 28 October 2026) |
| Form I-765, filed on paper | $520 | In force | USCIS, G-1055, Fee Schedule: Form I-765 (page updated 28 October 2026) |
| Premium processing (Form I-907): decision within 30 business days | $1,780 | In force since 1 March 2026; it was $1,685 | USCIS, G-1055, Fee Schedule: Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service (page updated 28 October 2026); 91 FR 1059 |
| Extra fee of Public Law 119-21 (H.R. 1) on some work permits | Not listed for OPT | The fee schedule lists it for categories such as parolees, TPS and asylum applicants, not for the OPT categories (c)(3) | USCIS, G-1055, Fee Schedule: Form I-765 (page updated 28 October 2026) |
| Proposed OPT fee, paid by the school | $70,000 first OPT · $30,000 later OPT | Proposal not in force; comments until 9 November 2026 | 91 FR 64566 |
The proposed fee would be paid by the school before the DSO recommends OPT, for recommendations dated on or after the effective date of a final rule; it is not in force. What the proposal says.
Sources: USCIS, G-1055, Fee Schedule: Form I-765 (page updated 28 October 2026); USCIS, G-1055, Fee Schedule: Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service (page updated 28 October 2026); Federal Register, Optional Practical Training Fees (proposed rule, 91 FR 64566, 8 October 2026). Read on 30 October 2026.
Questions people ask
How much is the STEM OPT extension fee?
$470 online or $520 on paper (Form I-765, the same fee as OPT). Premium processing costs $1,780 more.
When should I apply for the STEM OPT extension?
Up to 90 days before your current OPT EAD expires, and within 60 days of your DSO's recommendation in SEVIS.
Can I keep working while the STEM extension is pending?
Yes, if you filed on time and your OPT EAD expires while the application is pending: your work authorization is extended automatically for up to 180 days.
Is there a $30,000 STEM OPT fee?
Not today. DHS proposed on 8 October 2026 a fee of $30,000 for any OPT after the first, STEM extension included, paid by the school. It is a proposal, not a rule.
How many unemployment days do I have on STEM OPT?
150 in total, including the days used during post-completion OPT.