OPT, or Optional Practical Training is available to students upon completion of their degree program. A student may be authorized for 12 months of Optional Practical Training. The school attended by the student recommends the grant of employment authorization. You can employ the student who will have employment authorization pursuant to OPT and file an […]
I am looking to hire a recent grad. He tells me he has OPT for 29 months because he is a STEM Degree Student. What does that mean?
A student in certain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields is able to obtain OPT employment authorization for a total of 29 months. The STEM extension is an extension of the student’s 12 months OPT for an additional 17 months period. The student’s school recommends the grant of employment authorization for both the 12-month […]
What is STEM?
STEM refers to certain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. A list of STEM majors is available at http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stem-list.pdf.
What does it mean to be “in status”?
“In status” means that you are maintaining the status in which you were admitted, has not violated that status, has not worked without authorization and has not overstayed or taken any other action inconsistent with the entry status.