3) STEM OPT Extension (Your Time Multiplier)

If you have a STEM degree, you can extend your work authorization by 24 additional months—giving you 36 total months and three shots at the H-1B lottery instead of one. This is the single biggest advantage STEM graduates have. But the paperwork is complex and the reporting requirements are strict. Get this wrong and you lose the extension.

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Verify STEM eligibility (check your CIP code)

Not all 'technical' degrees qualify. Your degree's CIP code must be on the official DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Check your I-20—your CIP code is listed there. Here's a powerful hack: if you have a previous STEM degree (even from years ago), you can use it to qualify for STEM OPT on a non-STEM job, as long as the work is related to that STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify—this is non-negotiable. Before accepting any job offer, verify their E-Verify status at e-verify.gov.

3) STEM OPT Extension (Your Time Multiplier)

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