[USFTSA.com] FW: [Int_student] Immigration: Interim Final Rule on OPT

[Chou, Ping-jen]

FYI.
 
For F1 students only.  Others may ignore.
 
OPT is now extended to 29 months for qualified F1 students.
 

________________________________

From: int_student-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
[mailto:int_student-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Taylor,
Marcia
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 5:36 PM
To: int_student at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
Subject: [Int_student] Immigration: Interim Final Rule on OPT



DHS has released an advanced copy of an interim final rule about
extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT). The new rule is expected
to be published in the Federal Register next week (April 7-11), and will
become effective immediately on the date of publication.   The Student
and Exchange Visitor Program that administers SEVIS will issue detailed
operational guidelines by next Friday, April 11, 2008.   Following the
release of the operational guidelines, International Services will
access this information and forward to all students on OPT and post on
this listserv. 

The DHS notice located at
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1207334008610.shtm
<http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1207334008610.shtm>  is reprinted
below:

 


17-Month Extension of Optional Practical Training for Certain Highly
Skilled Foreign Students


Release Date: April 4, 2008

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, 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; 
*	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.
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; and 
*	Properly maintain F-1 status. 

The interim final rule and additional information on the H-1B program is
available at www.dhs.gov <http://www.dhs.gov/> .

Marcia Taylor
 
Marcia Taylor, M.A.
Director, International Services
 
International Affairs 
University of South Florida
4202 East Fowler Ave, CPR107
Tampa, Florida  33620
phone: 813-974-5102
fax: 813-974-0491
email: taylor at iac.usf.edu
http://web.usf.edu/iac/isss/ <http://web.usf.eduy/iac/isss/>  
 
 
 
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