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发帖数: 425 | 1 Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final
rule in the Federal Register to enhance the OPT program for international
students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
The enhancements to the OPT program will be effective on May 10, 2016. Here
’s a quick look at what the final rule says:
First off, all international students will remain eligible for an initial 12
months of OPT, regardless of their degree or field. However, under the new
rule, STEM graduates will be able to extend their training period for an
additional 24 months -- up from the existing 17-month extension!
And, if the individual subsequently goes back to school and earns a second,
more advanced STEM degree, he or she will be eligible to engage in a new
period of practical training, including a second (and final) STEM OPT
extension of 24 months.
Additionally, the rule allows students who have recently completed non-STEM
programs to get that 24-month extension if they previously earned a STEM
degree from an accredited U.S. university. For example, an international
student who earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering a few
years ago and is just now completing an MBA program could be eligible for
the full 36-month period of post-graduation on-the-job training, if such
training is related to the STEM degree. Finally, the rule also bolsters
protections for students and U.S. workers by creating safeguards to prevent
student exploitation, among other reforms. |
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