Under the new duration of stay rule, can I stay in the US for OPT after an AI master's?
Yes, you can still stay in the US for OPT after your AI masters, since it qualifies for the full 3 year STEM OPT period. The new rule replaces open ended student status with a fixed admission date, so you must now actively file a formal Extension of Stay.
Your AI masters still qualifies you for the full stretch of OPT, including the STEM extension, so nothing about your eligibility has changed. What has changed is the process, since your student status is no longer open ended, and you now need to take an active filing step rather than assume your stay continues automatically through graduation.
What changed and what stayed the same
| Aspect | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Legal stay basis | Open ended Duration of Status tied to your program | Fixed admission period, up to 4 years, shown on your I-94 |
| OPT eligibility for AI masters | 1 year initial plus 2 year STEM extension | Unchanged, still the full 3 years total |
| Continuing your stay | Largely automatic through your program and OPT | Requires filing a formal Extension of Stay with your EAD application |
| Grace period if you take no action | 60 days after program completion | Reduced to 30 days |
How to protect your timeline
- File your OPT application and your Extension of Stay together, ideally up to 90 days before your program end date, to avoid any gap in lawful status.
- Cross check the exact admit until date on your electronic I-94 against your expected STEM OPT timeline regularly.
- Budget for the added EOS filing fee and mandatory biometric screening, since these are new costs layered onto the standard OPT process.
- Keep your program firmly categorised under its AI or STEM CIP code from day one, since switching programs after enrolling is restricted under the new rule.
My Advice
Mark your calendar for 90 days before your program end date right now, and coordinate directly with your university's Designated School Official at that point, since the biggest risk under this new rule is not eligibility, it is simply missing the filing window for your Extension of Stay.
How long can you stay and work after a US master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
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