News & Analysis as of

Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) Foreign Students United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

DHS Updates STEM Designated Degree Program List for 24-Month STEM OPT Extensions

On July 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added the category of Environmental/Natural Resource Economics (03.0204) as a qualifying field of study to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. DHS did...more

Gibney Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

DHS Expands STEM OPT Fields for International Students

On July 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added eight fields of study to the Designated Degree Program List qualifying F-1 students to secure a STEM OPT (science, technology, engineering, mathematics...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

USCIS Premium Processing Expansion for F-1, EB-1, EB-2, Others

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

USCIS has expanded premium processing for F-1 students to pending Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) applications based on Optional Practice Training (OPT) and STEM OPT. On April 3, 2023, the same will be extended to...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

USCIS Expands Premium Processing for Certain F-1 Students

On March 6, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced “the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science,...more

Mintz - Immigration Viewpoints

Settlement Reached with USCIS in Class Action Suit Relating to OPT Processing Delays

USCIS recently settled a class action lawsuit regarding lengthy delays in processing of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications for individuals in F-1 student status. The settlement is welcome news to F-1...more

Mintz - Immigration Viewpoints

F-1 Student OPT Applications Can Now Be Filed Electronically

On April 12, 2021 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

USCIS Provides Filing Flexibility for International Student OPT Work Authorization Applications Affected by Service Delays

On February 26, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it was offering additional flexibility for international students affected by the delayed issuance of receipt notices for Form I-765,...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

USCIS Offers Flexibility For OPT Applications

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

The ability of foreign students in F-1 status to participate in post-completion Optional Practical Training (“OPT”) in their fields of study is an important aspect of their education–an opportunity that draws many foreign...more

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

New USCIS Flexibility Benefits For Foreign Students With OPT Work Authorization

Last week, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced changes that will be good news for foreign students seeking Optional Practical Training in areas related to their major areas of study. First, the 14...more

Dentons

Stem Opt Rules: An Update

Dentons on

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows F-1 students to work for 12 months after graduation (in most situations). F-1 students with U.S. degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM degrees) may...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Concern For F-1 Students – Maintenance Of Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Fox Rothschild LLP on

USCIS recently issued a reminder for F-1 students that transferring to another education institution or beginning studies at another educational level automatically terminates Optional Practical Training (OPT) as well as the...more

Foster Garvey PC

Strong Demand Expected for FY2019 H-1B Filings: Employers Should Plan Now

Foster Garvey PC on

U.S. employers who sponsor foreign workers for temporary H-1B work visas should start preparing now for the upcoming H-1B cap filing season commencing this year on Monday, April 2, 2018. Employers should start identifying...more

Moore & Van Allen PLLC

August 8 Deadline for 7-Month, STEM OPT Extension

Due to recent changes in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, F-1 students currently participating in the STEM OPT extension are eligible to apply for an additional 7-months of work authorization. The deadline to...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

STEM OPT 7-Month Extension Application Deadline Coming Up on Monday, August 8

On March 11, 2016, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule pertaining to optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics...more

Mintz

Work and Travel Guidance for F-1 Students with Pending H-1B “Change of Status” Applications and “Cap-Gap” Employment Authorization...

Mintz on

This advisory summarizes key travel and employment issues if you are an F-1 student with Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment eligibility and an H-1B change of status filing on your behalf has been accepted by US...more

Dickinson Wright

DHS Increases Period of STEM Optional Practical Training to 24 months: Imposes Additional Requirements on Employers and F-1...

Dickinson Wright on

The U.S. government never gives without getting something in return, and the same is true with the new STEM 24-month, Optional Practical Training (OPT) Program. On March 11, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published...more

Dentons

New STEM OPT Rule Goes Into Effect May 10: Good news and challenges

Dentons on

Both F-1 students and employers have been following the litigation over the F-1 OPT (optional practical training) program. The government was sued by tech workers in Washington, D.C. regarding a part of this program, the...more

Clark Hill PLC

DHS Releases Published F-1 Visa STEM OPT Regulation

Clark Hill PLC on

On March 11, 2016, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final regulation for F-1 nonimmigrant students on optional practical training (OPT) with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or...more

Baker Donelson

New STEM OPT Rules: More than Just an Extra Seven Months of Work Authorization

Baker Donelson on

On March 11, 2016, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule on enhancements to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for F-1 international students in science, technology, engineering...more

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

You Down with OPT? DHS Proposes Longer Post-Graduate Work Authorization for STEM Graduates, with a Catch

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP on

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a proposed rule that would amend its F-1 nonimmigrant student visa regulations regarding optional practical training (OPT) for students with higher education degrees...more

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