Students who currently hold an OPT STEMExtension card, valid for 17 months, mustapply before August 8, 2016 if the student wishes to request an additional7 months, under the new 24 month STEM Extension Program created earlier thisyear.
On March 11, 2016 theUSCIS published the rules of a new, expanded STEM Extension OPT program. The new STEM Extension went into effect on May 10, 2016. Among otherchanges, the program extended the length of the STEM Extension from 17 monthsto 24 months. For an outline of the newrequirements for students and employers under the updated STEM ExtensionProgram, pleasesee our previous blog post from May 4, 2016.
The USCIS outlined a series of transitionrules for three primary groups of students impacted by the implementation ofthe new STEM Extension Program:
1. Students on a 17 month STEM Extension can requestthe full 24 month STEM extension period, if they apply for a new OPT card beforeAugust 8, 2016. If the student elects not to ask for the full24 month STEM extension, the student should complete the 17 month STEM OPTPeriod under the old rules.
2. Students with a pending 17 month STEMExtension should receive an RFE requesting the new form I-983 TrainingPlan. An RFE Response amends theapplication to the full 24 months STEM extension period.
3. Students on a 12 month OPT expiringafter June 1 must file the STEM Extension under the 24 month program.
Students eligible for OPT STEM Extensions arein science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Please check with your student advisor if youqualify for a STEM Extension based on your field of study.