OPT Extensions for STEM: New Worksite Changes
On August 17th, USCIS updated guidelines for OPT STEM extensions. The student visa program allows international students the opportunity to gain practical training. For F-1 student’s with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math, extensions are available to receive temporary employment privileges by an additional duration of 24 months. To qualify, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field as well as other requirements. The program allows students to receive more hands-on experience with employers in a field relevant to the student’s educational background.
Several months ago, however, USCIS made changes to online regulatory guidelines. These changes made clear that students were expected to work only at the worksite related to their STEM OPT employer. Therefore, the previous guidelines prohibited anythird-party or other off-site placement. Thus, ICE worksite visits would be conducted only at the primary address of employment listed on the student’s application. For many, this change limited students from receiving diversified experiences at different worksite related to their employment.
USCIS Renews Flexibility
The most recent changes to the OPT STEM website retract previous guidelines and offer students greater options and flexibility for training experience. According to USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that STEM OPT students once more have the ability to “engage in a training experience that takes place at a site other than the employer’s principal place of business as long as all of the training obligations are met.” USCIS reminds beneficiaries of STEM OPT that a “bona fide” employee-employer relationship must be maintained if a student receives training outside of the employer’s principal location. DHS will review each case to ensure that employers listed on the Training Plan maintain the required employee-employer relationship. Students should ensure that a third-party placement or offsite placement does not compromise their employee-employer relationship with their documented supervisor.