The New STEM Rules: What Employers and Students Need to Know About the New STEM OPT Program

A substantially revised STEM optional practical training (OPT) program took effect on May 10, 2016. The new program expands OPT to 36 months for F-1 students with a qualifying U.S. STEM degree – 12 months of initial OPT plus a 24-month extension of OPT – but imposes significant new obligations on students, employers and schools. In this course, Fragomen attorneys Molly Carey and Erin Brummer discuss the changes that this revised program entails and their potential impact on both employers and students.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how the STEM OPT Program has changed for employers and students
2. Identify qualifying STEM degrees and employment
3. Develop training programs and completing evaluations
4. Address other employer and student obligations
5. Discuss filing periods and procedures
6. Review proper compliance and enforcement