OPT Extended For Centain F-1 Students

On April 4, 2008, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USCIS) released an interim final rule extending the period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) from 12 to 29 months for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students. The extension will be available to F-1 students with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics who are employed by businesses enrolled in the E-Verify program. E-Verify is a free, internet-based system operated in partnership with the Social Security Administration that helps employers to determine the employment eligibility of newly-hired employees.

Note that this rule extends the training period by an additional 17 months to students who:

1. Are employed by businesses enrolled in E-Verify;
2. Are currently participating in a 12-month period of approved post-completion OPT;
3. Have successfully completed a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) included in the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List from a college or university certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program;
4. Are working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student’s major area of study, and
5. Has properly maintained F-1 status.