ISSO Town Hall Meeting on New STEM Rule
After months of watching the progress on the new STEM OPT Rule, F-1 students received welcome news on Friday, March 11, 2016, when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Final Rule extending and expanding the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) majors.
SUMMARY:
This new STEM OPT Rule, which goes into effect on May 10, 2016, extends STEM from 17 to 24-months, introduces a new required I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students and additional reporting requirements, expands the list of STEM-eligible CIP major codes, allows a transition plan from 17-Month to 24-Month STEM, and continues “cap-gap” protection for students who have a cap-subject H-1B petition for change of status filed on their behalf by a sponsoring employer.
STEM OPT Resources:
The ISSO has updated our website to provide answers to many immediate questions:
Additional information can also be found on the USCIS STEM OPT Hub.
STEM OPT Town Hall Meetings
Do you qualify for STEM OPT? Is your major on the CIP list? What does your employer need to do?
To answer these and other questions, the ISSO will hold several Town Hall meetings to provide an overview of the new rule.
Meetings are open to all interested BU students and administrators.
Tuesday, March 29, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
School of Education, 2 Silber Way, Room 130
Hosted by Questrom School of Business
School of Education, 2 Silber Way, Room 130
Hosted by Questrom School of Business
Wednesday, March 30, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
School of Engineering, Photonics Building
8 St. Mary’s Street, Room 206
School of Engineering, Photonics Building
8 St. Mary’s Street, Room 206
Thursday, April 7, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
International Students and Scholars Office
888 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd Floor
International Students and Scholars Office
888 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd Floor
Thursday, April 14, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Boston University Medical Campus
72 East Concord Street, Room L110
Boston University Medical Campus
72 East Concord Street, Room L110
Have more questions?
As always, if you have more specific questions, please also feel free to email your ISSO advisor or to call the ISSO at 617-353-3565.