US confirms
STEM OPT work rights extension to 24 months.
After the largest number of responses from the public ever
received on a rule revision, the Department of Homeland Security has confirmed
that international STEM graduates in the US will be able to undertake an
Optional Practical Training programme for a 24 month extension, up from the
current 17 month extension rule.
This means that all appropriately qualified STEM graduates can
stay and work in the US for up to three years, as the extension rule is on top
of the standard OPT rule of 12 months that many international graduates can
benefit from.
The final ruling lays to rest months of uncertainty since August
2015 when a judge had ordered that the original STEM 17-month extension to OPT
for science, tech, engineering and maths graduates had happened without
following correct procedure.
Since then, STEM grads on OPT had been in limbo waiting for
final clarification after a period for public comment, which received
50,500 responses.
“Now not only has the extension been preserved – it’s been
lengthened. So in effect we’re seeing an extended extension,” said Eddie West,
Director of International Initiatives at NACAC. “That’s great news for
students.”
Rachel Canty, deputy director of the Student and ExchangeVisitor Program, told The PIE News, “The
National Science Foundation states that the average STEM research project takes
about 24 months to complete. Based on this info, we thought a STEM OPT
extension of 24 months would be appropriate.”
The news will be welcomed by the international education
community, which is cognisant of the huge value that the STEM extension to OPT
offers international students. At San Jose State University, based in Silicon
Valley, there are many international student testimonials about the experience
gained both at university and via OPT.
“This new ruling has the potential to very positively assist US
colleges and universities”
West commented, “We know how important those benefits are to
current and prospective international students alike. And we know that’s
particularly true of students from India and other leading countries of origin
of international students.”
“This new ruling has the potential to very positively assist US
colleges and universities, particularly graduate programmes in STEM fields.”
Canty added, “Optional practical training has been a hot topic
here in the US. We have individuals who want to enhance training opportunities
for international students, while others have voiced concerns about how that
training is implemented. The final rule includes a variety of provisions that
enhance oversight of the STEM OPT program all while providing an enhanced
educational experience for international students studying in the US.”
SEVP will unveil a STEM OPT hub on the Study in the States website once the final
rule publishes on March 12. The rule is posted online for public inspection.
There are various provisos in the rule to protect American
jobs. Employers participating in STEM OPT must incorporate a formal
training program that includes concrete learning objectives with proper
oversight.
To guard against adverse effects on US workers, terms and conditions
of a student’s training opportunity – such as duties, hours, and compensation –
must be on par with US workers in similar positions in the same geographic area
of employment. Additionally, the student must not replace a full-time,
part-time, temporary or permanent US worker.
Heather Stewart, NAFSA Counsel & Director of ImmigrationPolicy, noted, “NAFSA is glad that DHS issued the ruling in this manner because
it gives DHS time to educate and train their people to implement it. We look
forward to working with SEVP on implementation.”
No comments:
Post a Comment