The USA is one of the best countries for all the international candidates, there are many career opportunities that are available in the USA for international candidates. Students in the USA who are on F1 Visa are easily applying for a working visa and get hired in the USA with H1B Visa. But before that, the candidates who are on an f1 visa have to understand how the immigration law is in the USA for international candidates.
During the time when candidates are studying, they can join job placement for CPT OPT Program. International students have the benefit of working on CPT which has to be directly related to their core subjects while OPT is a 12-month work authorization provided to international students related to their field of study. To be eligible for the OPT; the students must be pursuing the studies for at least one year in the USA. After the completion of the full OPT period, the students are not eligible to apply for the CPT.
OPT STEM extensions allowed international students with STEM degrees to stay in the USA for as much as three years after graduating from college. Foreign students use the OPT status to either look for jobs or apply for further education or simply float around till the OPT term expires.
OPT extension to H-1B transfer would also not be the first choice for the OPT holders as the reforms for H-1B is more than OPT and Trump has a strong stance over H-1B visa abuse. So if you are going for STEM Opt Extension than read the following process to successfully get you the STEM Opt Extension.
STEM Application Process Documentation:
After the OPT students have applied for an OPT STEM extension they will receive the I-797C notice. This will tell the student that their application is received by the USCIS. Although they can travel while they are waiting for the STEM OPT extension. Also, the USCIS authorities can ask for Further Evidence from the candidate who has applied for the extension. However the OPT students can also withdraw their application for STEM OPT extension. However, before the OPT STEM extension denied the candidates could travel outside the USA.
Generally, the STEM OPT extension is granted for 24 months after the STEM OPT candidates have worked for 12 months. The non-STEM OPT candidates have to work for 12 months, and after that, they do not get any extension. However, they have the option to work for pre-completion OPT in which they can work for 20 hours per week. Post-completion OPT the STEM OPT students get to work full-time. Here is a list of documents that a student needs to apply for a STEM OPT extension.
Following are the documents that you must file in order to get the STEM Opt Extension:
- Form I-765 with the application fee
- Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status, endorsed by your DSO
- Copy of your STEM degree
An F-1 student can apply for the initial OPT period up to 90 days before and 60 days after the completion of his/her study. A denial of the OPT application prior to the completion of study would normally allow the student to use the full 60-day grace period after the program completion date.
If USCIS denies the OPT application of candidates after the completion of their studying period, but before the 60-day post-completion period end date, the student would have a new period of 60 days in valid F-1 status from the date of the decision.
However, if the initial OPT is denied after the regular 60-day grace period, there is no additional grace period.
You can check out:
- Number of Available OPT jobs in California
- Demand of Entry Level computer science majors jobs in USA
STEM OPT Extension Criteria:
After the new STEM OPT Extension rules were introduced in 2016, various changes have been introduced in its criteria. STEM OPT is another name for a permitted extended period including the original 12 months temporary work authorization. This program allows for practical work experience in designated degree programs. The earlier rule allowed for a maximum of 29 months (12 months of “Regular” OPT plus a 17-month extension).
On March 11, 2016, the 17-month STEM OPT extension was replaced and the 24month extension was introduced for STEM OPT students. The new OPT allows for a maximum of 36 months (12 months of “Regular” OPT plus a 24-month extension).
List of requirements to qualify for STEM OPT Extension:
- Candidate must have F1 Visa Status
- Candidate must be currently working in a period of post-completion OPT Extension
- Must have valid bachelor’s or higher education degree which are eligible in STEM Field
- Must qualifying STEM degree in the U.S. within 10 years of applying for the STEM OPT extension
- Applied job must have to offer 20 hours of work per week
- Job must have to provide training for qualifying stem degree
- Candidate must be able to complete the I-983 Training Plan with your employee.
What you can do if your OPT STEM Extension was denied?
F1 students are privileged to live in the USA, while they are looking for OPT jobs. The F1 students can live in the USA either before the beginning of their academic program or after completing their academic program. For finding OPT jobs in USA, regular program students get a reasonable time of 60 days. The USCIS is responsible for granting authorization for OPT students. After the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services gives an EAD, the OPT students are eligible for employment. Similarly, when OPT students apply for STEM OPT Extension the USCIS is responsible for granting the authorization of the students.
If USCIS has denied the OPT stem extension to OPT students, the students get 180 days. But after the STEM OPT is denied the students will get 60 days. They can plan to leave the country and come back to a different education program. Or they can stay and enroll themselves in other academic courses. They have the option to come back once they are unable to secure the STEM OPT extension. So many opportunities are open for them even when the STEM OPT extension is denied.
Students who do not exceed 90/120 days of unemployment are granted a 60-day OPT grace period after the end date listed on the EAD (Employment Authorization Document). Within this 60-day grace period, you have the following options:
Depart the U.S. Once you leave the U.S. (including trips to Canada and Mexico) after completing your studies and OPT period, you are not eligible to re-enter with your current I-20. The grace period is meant for travel within the states and preparation to depart the U.S.
- Re-enroll in your school and request a new I-20 for a new degree program.
- Enroll in a new school and transfer your SEVIS record to a new school. CPT is an option you should seriously consider.
- Apply to change the status to another visa category.
Note: This does NOT apply if you do not complete your educational program or if you leave without graduating, you do not receive any grace period for your STEM Opt Extension.
Can Candidates apply for H1B if his/her OPT is denied?
Yes, if the candidate’s status is valid until the H1B start date, then he/she can apply for H1B Visa and join H1B Jobs in the USA.