F1 visa: New OPT rules ==> extensions to 29 months

tóm tắt là f1 các ngành kỹ thuật (com sci, ee...) sẽ được apply extension for another 17 months making the opt periods upto 29 months if they qualify

http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=25123

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Date: Apr 4, 2008 12:40 PM
Subject: [istudents] Interim Rule released this morning regarding OPT
extensions to 29 months

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 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.
In short it would allow students to apply for a one time 17 month
extension of their OPT.

The extension will be available to students who received a degree in
one of the following fields: Actuarial Science, Computer Science
Applications, Engineering, Engineering Technologies, Life Sciences,
Mathematics, Military Technologies and Physical Sciences and are also
employed by a business enrolled in the E-Verify program. (E-Verify is
an internet-based system operated by USCIS, in partnership with the
Social Security Administration, which determines a new employee''''''''s
eligibility to work).

As this rule was just released this morning, operational guidelines
(how it is implemented, how students can apply for it, etc) from the
Department of Homeland Security are not yet ready but are expected to
be released this coming week. Accordingly, we will follow up with
details later next week, once these logistics have been announced by
DHS.

==

Lack of H-1B Cap Increase, Supporters Call for Extension of Student OPT

March 28th, 2008 in H-1B Visas, Immigration

With Congress not helping their cause anytime soon, H-1B visa
supporters are asking the Bush administration to extend the Optional
Practical Training program (a studentâ,"s right to work) to 29 months,
rather than the 1 year period that is now authorized. This was
originally proposed in November 2007 to Secretary/DHS Michael
Chertoff, in a letter signed by 19 Senators.

The proposed extension is a measure that would allow foreign students
to buy extra time when they graduate from college in the U.S.
However, this would act as a stopgap measure â," while supporters hope
Congress will soon raise the number of H-1B visas allotted each year.

A foreign student currently needs a degree to qualify for an H-1B
visa, but seniors who will end up graduating this spring, wonâ,"t have
their degrees before the April 1 deadline â," the day the USCIS will
begin to accept H-1B petitions for the fiscal year 2009.

With the current system in place, upcoming graduates will have to wait
until next year before they are allowed to apply for H-1B status. And
if they were not allotted H-1B visas through the USCIS random lottery
â," they will be forced to leave the U.S. according to the current OPT
rules, following a 60-day grace period.

This would allow students a stronger chance at receiving an H-1B visa
because the new measure would increase the amount of time a foreign
graduate could work in the U.S on OPT instead of instead of having to
contemplate accepting positions in competitor countries.. Proponents
for the measure also say the new rule could be enacted
administratively, without any legislative action necessary.

For more information on the call for a studentâ,"s OPT work extension:
Read this article from Computerworld

http://www.immigrationsolution.net/immigration-solutions-blog/?p=8