Back to News

Final STEM OPT Rule Released – Effective May 10, 2016

Published on

March 11, 2016

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule that allows foreign graduates of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (“STEM”) programs from U.S. universities an additional 24 months of F-1 Optional Practical Training (“OPT”) work authorization.  The final rule will go into effect on May 10th.  The rule will allow STEM OPT extensions of up to 24 months, replacing the current rule that allows for only 17-month extensions.  The core purpose of the STEM OPT extension is to allow participating students to supplement their academic knowledge with valuable practical STEM experience.   

What Employers Need to Know

Currently, in order for F-1 students to be eligible for the STEM extension, they must be employed by employers who participate in E-Verify.  Under the new rule, employers also will be required to implement formal training plans and add wage and other protections for STEM OPT students and U.S. workers. 

Students and employers will be required to submit a formal training plan (i.e., learning objectives for the student) and certain employer attestations to protect the U.S. workforce—both of which the student and employer must submit on Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students.     

New reporting requirements will apply for students and their employers, including confirmation of the student’s physical residence and employment status every six months, regular evaluations regarding the student’s progress with the training plan, and immediate notification regarding termination of the student’s employment. 

The new rule will permit DHS to conduct site visits at employer locations in which STEM OPT students are employed. The DHS will generally give advance notice of such visit. 

If you have any questions about filing a STEM extension under the new OPT Rule, please contact Attorney Silas Ruiz-Steele, Chair of the Immigration Law group, at (610) 898-7153 or sruizsteele@barley.com.


Related News

View More News
Press Release
September 29, 2023

Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center Recognizes Barley Snyder as the Light of Liberty Law Firm of the Year

For Immediate Release York, Pa. – Barley Snyder is pleased to announce th...

Learn More
News Alert
September 8, 2023

Post-Labor Day Hangover Hits Businesses Hard: NLRB Issues Rules and Decisions Dramatically Affecting Elections; More Trump-era Reversals, and a Few Surprises

The NLRB gave unions an early set of Labor Day presents last week in one of...

Learn More
News Alert
September 5, 2023

The IRS Says Let’s ‘Catch-Up’ Later

As part of the so-called SECURE 2.0 signed into law by the President late l...

Learn More

Other Upcoming Events

View All Upcoming Events
Oct
04
3:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
event
Location

2023 York Business Seminar

Learn More
Oct
10
3:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
event
Location

2023 Harrisburg Business Seminar

Learn More
Oct
18
3:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
event
Location

2023 Reading Business Seminar

Learn More

Get in Touch

Our attorneys, paralegals and staff look forward to hearing from you. Please reach out to let us know how we can help.

Get In Touch
RECOGNIZED IN
Super Lawyers
Best Law Firms US News
Best Lawyers