OPT extension for people studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
I've been following immigration news and regulations for a while now since I have to deal with this whole mess now. If you're doing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM, as they like to call it) you can get an extension on your OPT. Instead of being able to work for 12 months you can now have OPT for 29 months.
The approved degrees are:
Actuarial Science
Computer Science
Engineering
Engineering Technologies
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Military Technologies
Physical Sciences
Science Technologies
Medical Scientists (MS, PhD)
Buried in the new set of regulations is a change in your status under OPT. Previously, you could apply for OPT and just hang around in the US for a year after graduation even if you didn't have a job. Under the new regulations you may only be unemployed for 90 days while you're on OPT.
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1207334008610.shtm
This only applies if your OPT is based on one of the above degrees. That is, if you're in my situation and you have an undergrad degree in one of the approved subjects but are doing a graduate degree in something else you're in the same situation as before except that you can't be unemployed for more than 90 days.
The approved degrees are:
Actuarial Science
Computer Science
Engineering
Engineering Technologies
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Military Technologies
Physical Sciences
Science Technologies
Medical Scientists (MS, PhD)
Buried in the new set of regulations is a change in your status under OPT. Previously, you could apply for OPT and just hang around in the US for a year after graduation even if you didn't have a job. Under the new regulations you may only be unemployed for 90 days while you're on OPT.
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1207334008610.shtm
This only applies if your OPT is based on one of the above degrees. That is, if you're in my situation and you have an undergrad degree in one of the approved subjects but are doing a graduate degree in something else you're in the same situation as before except that you can't be unemployed for more than 90 days.