F-1 Students OPT to last 29 Months
Saturday, April 5, 2008
This is not a law yet but according to the draft available on Department of Homeland Security, all F-1 students who opt for Optional Practical Training are likely to get the work permit for a period of 29 months instead of the regular 12 months. The release said, [PDF]
This interim final rule extends the maximum period of OPT from 12 months to 29 months for F-1 students who have completed a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree and accept employment with employers enrolled in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS') E-Verify employment verification program.Congratulations to all the international graduating students in the US. One more advantage of being on F-1 and using OPT is that you are not liable to pay the Social Security :-)
