US STEM OPT students have their stay in the country extended

Following an overwhelming number of inquiries from the public asking for a revision of the rules, the US Department of Homeland Securityhas confirmed that international STEM students (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), after graduation they will be able to take OPT (Optional Practical Training) for 24 months, and 17, as it was before...

This decision means that all qualified graduates of eligible STEM programs will be able to stay in the USA for legal work and practical skills in their specialty for a longer period. Foreign students studying in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics have been waiting for a decision to extend the deadlines since August 2105, when it was announced that the extension of the OPT period should take place in accordance with the established procedure. Since the students were left in limbo, more than 50,000 letters have been recorded asking questions about the program.

Many members of the international student community speak out about what happened, realizing the great value of the decision taken by the authorities. So, the news was especially welcomed by students studying in Silicon Valley, because a large number of foreign specialists live and work in it. "The new solution has tremendous potential to help American colleges and universities with STEM students, and I am personally very happy about this," commented one of the students.