OMB Approved OPT 17-Month Extension Rule!!

[jimgeagea]

these are realy amazing news!
i am jumping!

i am currently on my OPT, and it will expire April 28th, i have a master's degree and i filed my H1B papers, now i think i am going to cancel it..

but i have a questions, so my OPT is supposed to expire April 28th, am i supposed to apply for the extension to get a new card?

how would the extension work?
can anyone please give me some insights?

[zerozerozeven]

There are too many loose ends here
a)
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. As far as I know, E-Verify is hardly used and is "voluntary" for employers to use it. I have been reading reports that this system is riddled with errors and personally doubt many companies are using this system.

b) Be working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student’s
major area of study;

c) How is the extension going to work? What about driver's license? The driver's license is currently tied to the EAD expiration date and from my understanding, no new card is going to be issued. What is the proof to be given at the DMV?

[dingutakum]

The rule will also implement certain programmatic changes, including allowing students to apply for OPT within 60 days of graduation.

very nice

[kcsurfer]

Is there a list I can refer to see what falls under STEM and what does not? I am wondering if a MBA with a MIS/IT concentration falls under STEM...

[bugmenot]

also its ONLY for students "currently" on the OPT, so i guess its a one time extension only to counter the h1b lottery this year

[jimgeagea]

so am i supposed to ask and apply for extension?
how would that work?

[pappu]

Originally Posted by h1techSlave

Call me an ignorant fool, but was OPT extension one of IV's goal? Was it one of IV's agenda item?

Any way I am happy for the F1 guys.

http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/sh...&postcount=175

[485Mbe4001]

Thanks, there had to be a catch...you want to enter the 'greatest nation on earth' or whatever the heck they are calling it these days, you have to pay the price. Will they publish a list of companies enrolled in E-verify or the OPT holder has to be the sales agent peddling E-Verify.

Originally Posted by zerozerozeven

There are too many loose ends here
a)
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. As far as I know, E-Verify is hardly used and is "voluntary" for employers to use it. I have been reading reports that this system is riddled with errors and personally doubt many companies are using this system.

b) Be working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student’s
major area of study;

c) How is the extension going to work? What about driver's license? The driver's license is currently tied to the EAD expiration date and from my understanding, no new card is going to be issued. What is the proof to be given at the DMV?

[gosita]

Well, that is bad news for many F1 students who do not have a STEM degree!!!

Originally Posted by zerozerozeven

http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=25123

17-MONTH EXTENSION OF OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR
CERTAIN HIGHLY SKILLED FOREIGN STUDENTS
WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released today 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.
“This rule will enable businesses to attract and retain highly skilled foreign workers,
giving U.S. companies a competitive advantage in the world economy,” said Homeland
Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “By extending the training period by an additional
17 months to students who are employed by businesses enrolled in E-Verify, we are
further ensuring a legal workforce in the U.S. and aiding good corporate citizens.”
Another aspect of the rule responds to the situation in which an F-1 student’s status and
work authorization expires before he or she can begin employment under the H-1B visa
program. The interim final rule addresses this problem by automatically extending the
period of stay and work authorization for all F-1 students with pending H-1B petitions.
The rule will also implement certain programmatic changes, including allowing students
to apply for OPT within 60 days of graduation.
To be eligible for an OPT extension, an F-1 non-immigrant student must:
�� Currently be participating in a 12-month period of approved post-completion
OPT;
�� Have successfully completed a degree in science, engineering, technology, 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;
�� Be working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student’s
major area of study;
�� Be working for, or accepted employment with, an employer enrolled in U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services’ E-Verify program.

[whitecollarslave]

Originally Posted by pappu

http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/sh...&postcount=175

I am not sure how this post(above) addresses the question that was asked earlier.

I have been a member of IV for a few months and I never heard of OPT extension being one of the goals of IV, for the letter campaign or otherwise. In fact, I have in the past come across sever posts where IV members have strongly suggested we stay away from issues specific to students, H-1Bs quota increases, etc. and stay focused on EB immigration. Not that I care one way or the other, I am perplexed as to how OPT is somehow bundled up with EB immigration reform and why is it being done now. So this all maybe my ignorance. Of course I don't read every post.

Regardless, recent developments are good news and we should continue our efforts. What is this "Phase II" I keep hearing about?

[gosita]

To be eligible for the 17-month OPT extension, a student must have received a STEM degree in one of the following:

• Actuarial Science.

• Computer Science Applications.

• Engineering.

• Engineering Technologies.

• Life Sciences.

• Mathematics.

• Military Technologies.

• Physical Sciences.

[pappu]

Phase 2 is coordinated via state chapters. You will learn more about our strategy and will get background information of the work we do.
If you are unsuccessful in joining your state chapter, contact 'paskal'.

http://immigrationvoice.org/index.ph...d=72&Itemid=52

[walking_dude]

OPT extension may not benefit all of the current membership, but definitely helps students many of whom are IV members just like you and one.

Before making wild accusations against IV, show me any post from the IV core which claims credit for the OPT! Announcing a good news isn't the same as claiming credit for it. And FYI, it was coupled with 2 year EAD/AP announcement too, for which IV can genuinely claim a credit (I'm sure you'll dispute it too, betraying your agenda of working against IV). I wish members like you will stop nitpicking on small stuff like "IV claimed credit", "it wasn't worded correctly" etc. and start joining us in Phase II of the campaign which does address several issues directly impacting the EB GC community (recapture, widening of Ac21 etc.).

Your own rant about "IV taking credit" disproves your assertion of having posted an innocent question. You have always tried to undermine IV and it's active members ( a look at your previous posts will prove it to anyone), and I'm sure you'll continue to do so. Which state chapter did you try to join? Did you give your full name and the phone number?

Originally Posted by h1techSlave

In my opinion IV is taking credit for OPT thingie, when IV simply did not have any role in its implementation. IV did not ask for OPT, the members that IV is representing (EB folks) do not benefit from that rule. Such behavior is actually casting doubt on IV, not my asking a straight forward question. My question was "Was OPT an agenda item for IV?". That question did not assume anything, it is a plain question without any strings attached.

And for the record, my efforts to join the state chapter has been unsuccessful so far.

[orangelogic]

I don't think my company is enrolled in E-verify , I hope that this issue doesn't hinder or postpone in getting the 17-month extension approved..........

[xtetic]

"What are the eligibility requirements for the 17-month extension of post-completion OPT?

* The student must have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree in a STEM field.
* The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify.
* The student must apply on time (at least 90 days before the current post-completion OPT expires).
"

Are students with a Bachelors in Computer Science and graduating with an MBA degree eligible for This extension? Its not clear to me...any thoughts?