USCIS updates policies for optional practical training, STEM OPT extension

NEW DELHI: The US citizenship and immigration services (USCIS) has updated policy guidelines for optional practical training and STEM OPT extensions for international students. The new policy allows a 60-day grace period after the expiry of the first “employment authorisation document” for the OPT during which the student, remaining on a F1 visa,can transfer to a different level of study, to a different school at the same level, or apply for a different visa. It also allows limited online learning as part of the degree requirements.

The post-completion OPT allows international students to remain in the United States for 12 months after completing their programme to gain practical experience in their field of study. Those who earn science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees get 24-month extensions on the first OPT period.

“US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding when students may be eligible for optional practical training (OPT) for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields; as well as clarifying guidance concerning online study, school transfers, the grace period, and study abroad,” says the USCIS’ policy announcement.

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According to the Open Doors report, 69,062 Indians were on F1 visa for OPT in 2022-23. Indians constitute 25% of foreign graduates in the US. 8.94 lakh Indians left India to study abroad in 2023, a large chunk of them choosing the US.

F1 Visa and OPT Training: What changes?

The new policy now allows one online class or distance education – three credits or equivalent – per term or semester for the full course of study. The inclusion of learning that does not require physical presence in the classroom is new.

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Now, international students can also transfer between SEVP-certified schools at the same educational level or move to a different education level. SEVP-certified schools are part of the “student and exchange visitor programme”. They will have a 60-day grace period after the end of a post-completion OPT to make these transfers or apply to USCIS for a change of status.

The students are eligible for post-completion OPT after completing an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s degree, or PhD in USA.

STEM OPT extensions

The STEM OPT is an extension of the OPT programme for F1 visa-holding students who have completed a degree in a STEM field. This extension allows students to work in their field of study for an additional 24 months.

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The USCIS policy says that applications for the STEM OPT extensions have to be submitted within 90 days of the first OPT period ending and the F1 visa and OPT holder cannot have more than 150 days of unemployment over the entire OPT period.

To be eligible, students have to qualify with a degree from the department of homeland security’s “STEM designated degree program list”.

The degree can be an undergraduate, masters’ or PhD. That said, a STEM OPT extension can be granted only twice for two different degrees. This means that if a candidate completes an undergraduate degree, they will be eligible for a STEP OPT and again when they complete a masters’ or a PhD.

However, they will not be granted more than two extensions and if they fail to fully utilise one, they’ll be ineligible for all future ones.

The STEM OPT holder should be employed for not less than 20 hours per week and must complete an “individualised training plan” that clearly outlines training goals, how they will be achieved and the progress measured.