United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States National Archives and Records Administration Office of the Federal Register author aut Government Organization text government publication eng FR Regulatory Information 2016_register executive 2016-03-11 article Part II Rules and Regulations D09002ee1c7f67302 D09002ee1c7f67425 United States Department of Homeland Security originator org United States Government Agency or Subagency The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its F-1 nonimmigrant student visa regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from U.S. institutions of higher education. Specifically, the final rule allows such F-1 STEM students who have elected to pursue 12 months of OPT in the United States to extend the OPT period by 24 months (STEM OPT extension). This 24-month extension effectively replaces the 17-month STEM OPT extension previously available to certain STEM students. The rule also improves and increases oversight over STEM OPT extensions by, among other things, requiring the implementation of formal training plans by employers, adding wage and other protections for STEM OPT students and U.S. workers, and allowing extensions only to students with degrees from accredited schools. As with the prior 17-month STEM OPT extension, the rule authorizes STEM OPT extensions only for students employed by employers who participate in E-Verify. The rule also includes the "Cap-Gap" relief first introduced in a 2008 DHS regulation for any F- 1 student with a timely filed H-1B petition and request for change of status. 81 FR 13040 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-2016-03-11/2016-04828 2016-04828 fr11mr16-22 RIN 1653-AA72 9111-28-P DHS Docket No. ICEB-2015-0002 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-2016-03-11/2016-04828 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-03-11/html/2016-04828.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-03-11/pdf/2016-04828.pdf Administrative Practice and Procedure Aliens Employment Foreign Officials Health Professions Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Students Penalties 83 p. 13040 13122 81 FR 13040 Title 8 Part 214 8 CFR Part 214 Title 8 Part 274 8 CFR Part 274 RIN 1653-AA72 Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students With STEM Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students; Federal Register Vol. 81, Issue RULE 2016-04828 II DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 2016-05-10 DHS Docket No. ICEB-2015-0002 9111-28-P 2016-04828 Final rule.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its F-1 nonimmigrant student visa regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from U.S. institutions of higher education. Specifically, the final rule allows such F-1 STEM students who have elected to pursue 12 months of OPT in the United States to extend the OPT period by 24 months (STEM OPT extension). This 24-month extension effectively replaces the 17-month STEM OPT extension previously available to certain STEM students. The rule also improves and increases oversight over STEM OPT extensions by, among other things, requiring the implementation of formal training plans by employers, adding wage and other protections for STEM OPT students and U.S. workers, and allowing extensions only to students with degrees from accredited schools. As with the prior 17-month STEM OPT extension, the rule authorizes STEM OPT extensions only for students employed by employers who participate in E-Verify. The rule also includes the "Cap-Gap" relief first introduced in a 2008 DHS regulation for any F- 1 student with a timely filed H-1B petition and request for change of status.

This rule is effective May 10, 2016, except the addition of 8 CFR 214.16, which is effective from May 10, 2016, through May 10, 2019. Katherine Westerlund, Policy Chief (Acting), Student and Exchange Visitor Program, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20536; telephone (703) 603-3400; email SEVP@ice.dhs.gov. 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