OPT Update – April 2008

Check full information about OPT

In April 2008, the Department of Homeland Security updated their OPT requirements for students who are studying certain degree programs so that OPT can be extended for an additional 17 months, up to a total of 29 months of OPT. This was instituted to plug the gap between students who completed their OPT and did not have a chance to file for an H1B visa due to the time frames and visa caps that exist on the H1B visa. Students can now extend their OPT so they still have the opportunity to apply for an H1B visa.

The special extension of the OPT program is only available to those who are employed by companies who are enrolled in the E-Verify program, and you have to be studying one of the following subjects:

•  Actuarial Science
•  Computer Science Applications
•  Engineering
•  Engineering Technologies
•  Life Sciences
•  Mathematics
•  Military Technologies
•  Physical Sciences