On 3/11/16, DHS published a final rule on the OPT program for students in STEM fields. The new STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training and replaces the 17-month STEM OPT extension, and takes effect on 5/10/16. SEVP will host a live webinar on April 14, 2016 from 2 to 3 p.m. [...]
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released a STEM OPT hub page on the Study in the States website, to help school officials, students, and employers understand the new DHS final rule on OPT for F-1 students. The website includes a transition plan and training plan, as well as FAQs. Form I-983, Training [...]
On February 26, 2015, USCIS hosted a teleconference about new regulatory changes, effective May 26, 2015, that extended eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of certain H-1B nonimmigrants who have already started the process of seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status. Those eligible include H-4 dependent spouses of principal H-1B nonimmigrants [...]
The Department of Homeland Security is issuing a final rule that will allow certain foreign students with science, technology, math, or engineering (STEM) degrees to extend their optional practical training or "OPT" period by 2 years, on top of the 1 year already allowed for graduates in all fields. The rule is scheduled to go [...]
DHS released the final version of the revised STEM optional practical training (OPT) rule today. It will go into effect on May 10th. The final rule will allow F-1 STEM OPT extensions of up to 24 months, replacing the current rule that allows for only 17-month extensions. The rule also includes the “Cap-Gap” relief for [...]
The USCIS has created the Known Employer pilot to assess a way to streamline the process for employers seeking to hire certain workers through employment-based visa categories. By modifying the process by which USCIS reviews an employer’s eligibility to sponsor individuals under certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa classifications, the Known Employer pilot is expected to [...]