Re: [北美 Opt up to 29 months? - 美國

轉貼自MITBBS(未名空間) Job hunting版

http://www.mitbbs.com/ym_article/XieLaw/31028727.html

移民局的原文鏈結：
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/OPT_FAQ_4apr08.pdf

國土安全部的鏈結：
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/press_opt_ifr.pdf

學科學，技術，工程和數學方面的F-1外籍學生的OPT將延長到29個月。

條件：
已經在Post-OPT當中；STEM專業；在專業相關的美國公司工作；公司已通過E-Verify；
維持F-1身份。

STEM專業包括：
精算、電腦、工程技術、生命科學、數學、軍事技術和自然科學。

如何申請：
在OPT過期之前九十天或更早，STEM 學生重新提交一份I-765延長申請。

請看下列新聞：

WASHINGTON─ 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.

條件要求：To be eligible for an OPT extension, an F-1 non-immigrant student
must:

1. Currently be participating in a 12-month period of approved post-
completion OPT;

2. Have successfully completed a degree in science, engineering, technology,
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; More
specifically, to be eligible for the 17-month OPT extension, a student must
have received a STEM degree in one of the following:

* Actuarial Science.
* Computer Science Applications.
* Engineering.
* Engineering Technologies.
* Life Sciences.
* Mathematics.
* Military Technologies.
* Physical Sciences.

3. Be working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student’
s major area of study;

4. 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

5. Properly maintain F-1 status.

如何申請：F-1 students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics) fields and granted initial post-completion OPT are now eligible
to apply for a one-time extension for 17 additional months, a maximum of 29
months.

1。STEM students need to file form I-765. The form is being amended to
capture information needed to determine student eligibility.

2。 F-1 students file timely (at least 90 days prior) for a STEM extension
may continue employment while the application is pending until a final
decision from USCIS, or 180 days,whichever comes first.

Approved extensions allow for students to remain working for the
STEM employer on the new EAD. If denied, the student must make preparations
to depart or transfer to another school to continue studying.

These F-1 students who do need a lawyer to prepare and file the OPT
extension application can contact [email protected].

"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.

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