NPZ Immigration Law Blog

The rule strengthened oversight of the STEM OPT extension and enhanced DHS’s mission by requiring that:

• Students work with their employer to complete a Form I-983, “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students,” that clearly articulates a student’s learning objectives and their employer’s commitment to helping them achieve those objectives.
• DHS perform site visits to employers that train STEM OPT students to confirm that the information included on the student’s Form I-983 is accurate and reduces the potential for abuse of the STEM OPT extension.
• Students, employers and designated school officials each complete specific reporting requirements throughout a student’s STEM OPT extension.

As a reminder, F-1 international students with an eligible STEM degree from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified, accredited school who are currently in a period of post-completion OPT may apply for the STEM OPT extension.

LINK: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2017/05/one-year-of-the-24-month-stem-opt-extension