how can you stay in the US for 17 months after you graduate - Visa USA Expert

17-Month OPT STEM ExtensionScience, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related programs gained national attention when they became President Obama’s priority. STEM graduates, both from the US and international students are key to innovation and job creation here in the US and a critical part of our nation’s growth.International Students who graduate with a STEM degree are eligible to remain in the United States for an additional 17 months on an optional practical training (OPT) STEM extension.You may qualify for this additional 17 months of OPT if you are in these circumstances:The degree for your current period of post-completion OPT is a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral in a STEM program listed here (click to view).The employer from whom you are seeking work uses the E-Verify Program (click to view).You have not already received a 17-month extension of OPTOnce approved, your designated school official (DSO) will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows a recommendation for this employment on page three.To apply for work authorization, you must electronically file a Forms I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pay a filing fee. Once you do this, the USCIS will send you a Form I-766 (Employment Authorization Document (EAD)) upon approving your petition.If your EAD for OPT expires, you may continue to work for up to 180 days while your 17-month extension is still pending, if you meet the following conditions:You are currently in a period of post-completion OPTYou properly filed your application for the 17-month extension with USCIS in a timely mannerRemember, you must report any changes to your name, address, employer or loss of employment to your DSO within 10 days.Go USA!– MikeAll information presented here is from my personal research and my attempts to save you time and money when pursuing your dream of coming to the USA to study. Do not take any of this information as LEGAL advice – I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV. This information is gathered from a variety of sources including many U.S. Government websites and I urge you to validate this information as much as possible, just as I do when posting on this blog.