Columbia University STEM OPT Fee Information
Columbia University (in New York City) charges a STEM OPT Administration Fee through its International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) for the STEM OPT extension, on top of the USCIS filing fee. Its $650 fee is the highest in the US University STEM OPT Fee List. For the post-completion OPT fee, see Columbia University OPT Fees.
Fee Details
| Application | Fee name | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| STEM OPT extension | STEM OPT Administration Fee | $650 |
From the STEM OPT page:
Pay the $650 STEM OPT Administration Fee. You remain in F-1 status under Columbia's sponsorship with an active SEVIS record during your authorized period of 24 months of a STEM OPT extension.
When the Fee Is Charged
As with post-completion OPT, payment comes before you submit the request: pay the fee to ISSO, prepare the I-983 and other documents, submit in Compass, and file the I-765 with USCIS after you receive the new I-20.
Notes
- This fee is paid to the school. It is separate from the USCIS I-765 filing fee, and you pay both.
- The website doesn't say whether the fee is refundable.
- Columbia's ISSO website blocks automated access. The content above comes from an Internet Archive capture of the STEM OPT page from June 2026. Check the ISSO website before you apply.