Reg OPT Period

[srikanthreddyn143]

Hi
I got a news that OPT duration period is increased from 12 months to 29 months .Is that true?
thanks
srikanth

[PraetorianXI]

Where did you get these news? I got news that F1 students do not need to pay tuition anymore... the government will pay everything...

ps: sarcasm included.

[DMX17]

Hi
I got a news that OPT duration period is increased from 12 months to 29 months .Is that true?
thanks
srikanth

It is likely that OPT time will extended be by 17 months and it will be for a total of 29 months. No kidding

DHS Submitted OMB 03/31/2008 Rule Extending Period for OPT for 17 Months for Qualified F-1 Students

The Homeland Security Department asked the White House OMB on March 31, 2008 to clear the interim final rule to publish in the federal register to extend OPT for 17 months. This is an interim final rule and as soon as it is published it will take effect. This means that the OPT period will be 29 months for certain F-1 students in OPT: current 12 plus 17 month extension. Please stay tuned to this web site. This is not April 1st joke!!!
Those currently seeking H-1B may not be able to participate in the FY 2009 H-1B cap filing. However, since their OPT is likely to be extended for 17 months, they will have a sufficient time to participate in FY 2010 H-1B cap petitions. The details have to be announced as to who will be the "qualified" OPT students to take advantage of this upcoming OPT extension rule.
This rule is the product of the persistent lobbying efforts by the business leaders and their lobby group, competeamerica.org. Bill Gates deserves a good credit for this good news. These business leaders pressured the Senate leaders at the end of last year to take action by the Homeland Security Department Secretary. We also reported Senator Norm Coleman's legislative bill to increase the OPT to 29 months. The ***** "29-month" OPT proposal in these business leaders' idea is intended to allow the OPT students not to face the deadly H-1B cap filing problems on April 1 in the future, which has given the OPTs a tremendous hardship, both emotionally and physically. Hats-off to the business leaders including higher learning institution leaders and NAFSA.
WHAT A RELIEF! There is a regulation even at this time that gives an authority for the Homeland Security Secretary to exercise a discretion, if the Secretary chooses to do so, and consider the OPT students "in lawful stay period" up through October 1 if the OPT files the H-1B petition before the cap is reached and while their F-1 status remained in status including 60-day grace period. However, this new policy is a juicier and more flexible option for the OPT students.

[DMX17]

I read another letter on a different law firm's website. This one mentioned a total OPT time of 17 months and not 29 months.

Based on what I read, 17 months time makes sense to avoid cap-gap issues for May grads. We shall see whether it's 17 months or 29 months.

" "Extending Period for Optional Practical Training to 17 Months for Qualified F-1 Students." This rule proposes extending the optional practical training (OPT) period to 17 months from its current length of 12 months. "

[DMX17]

Looks like it is cleared the OMB

04/04/2008: OMB Approved OPT 17-Month Extension Rule!!

Dramatically, the OMB approved yesterday in "three days" USICE regulation to extend OPT for 17 months for certain qualified OPT F-1 aliens. Please stay tuned to this website. The extension does not take effect until the regulation is published in the federal register. It is anticipated that USICE will publish this rule as quickly as possible. We extend thanks, on behalf of the agonizying OPTs and their employers all over the country, to the Assistant Secretary of USICE, Director of USCIS, and most of all, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the White House. Gosh, we forgot to thank the business leaders, particularly Mr. Bill Gates!!