Stories
US Ends Automatic Work Permit Extensions: Impact on Indian Students on OPT and STEM OPT Explained
- •The US Department of Homeland Security ended the 540-day automatic work permit extension, but this change does not affect F-1 students on standard or STEM OPT.
- •Standard 12-month OPT never had an automatic extension, requiring students to wait for their physical EAD card before working.
- •The separate 180-day automatic extension for 24-month STEM OPT remains fully protected under independent regulations.
- •Indian students must file their STEM extensions early, verify their employers are E-Verify registered, and ensure strict compliance with USCIS timelines.
Key Questions Answered
No, the decision by the DHS to end automatic work permit extensions does not affect F-1 students on standard OPT or STEM OPT. While the rule eliminates the 540-day automatic extension for categories like H-4 and L-2 spouses, F-1 student rules remain completely unchanged.
The separate 180-day automatic extension still stands for STEM OPT students. If an Indian student files a timely USCIS Form I-765 before their initial 12-month card expires, they are legally authorized to continue working for up to 180 days while their STEM extension is processed.
Students should file early—up to 90 days before their initial OPT expires—and ensure their application reaches USCIS within 60 days of the DSO's recommendation. Additionally, students must work for an E-Verify Registered Employer during their STEM period and can consider premium processing via Form I-907 if facing backlogs.
