The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a new rule allowing F1 students the opportunity to stay in the country longer “by getting training on the job at some companies for a period of 36 months,” according to a report in Arab News and information posted to the DHS website.
According to DHS, starting May 10, students who have earned degrees in certain science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization (instead of a 17-month extension previously), but they must meet certain criteria.
If a student does not apply for and receive the OPT employment authorization from DHS, he or she must leave the U.S. within 60 days of completing their academic program. However, the new OPT employment authorization extensions make it possible for a qualifying student from Saudi Arabia (for example) to stay a total of three years in the United States to receive practical training.
According to DHS, you can apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization (instead of a 17-month extension) if you:
-Are an F-1 student who received a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List;
-Are employed by an employer enrolled in E-Verify, and;
-Received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on your STEM degree.
Students at the SACM career fair in 2015.
Arab News noted that Mohammed Al Essa, Saudi Cultural Attaché to the United States, said that the decision “would benefit Saudi students in terms of valuable work experience, while companies would be able to tap the skills of thousands of qualified foreign students already in the United States.”
The nearly 90,000 Saudi students studying at U.S. universities in 2014-15 represent the fourth-largest group of international students by country of origin at U.S. colleges.
For more information on applying to a STEM OPT extension, visit DHS’ Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) page for more information.
