The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will publish a final rule Friday, March 11, 2016, to strengthen and enhance the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for international students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
“The new rule for STEM OPT will allow international students with qualifying degrees to extend the time they participate in practical training, while at the same time strengthening oversight and adding new features to the program,” said Lou Farrell, director of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend F-1 nonimmigrant student visa regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from U.S. institutions of higher education. Specifically, the proposal would allow such F-1 STEM students who have elected to pursue 12 months of OPT in the United States to extend the OPT period by 24 months (STEM OPT extension).
US Work and Immigration Options for Foreign Professionals

As of June 29, 2017, we began implementing the Executive Order at our embassies and consulates abroad in compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision and in accordance with the Presidential Memorandum issued on June 14, 2017. Our implementation is in full compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision.
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The U.S. provides several nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States.
We won this case for an applicant with over sixteen years research experience. She had a substantial publication record. Her expertise was sought for a collaboration with top researchers from the industry. Her contributions to research and academics and her significant international recognition were described in detail in the ten exceptional recommendation letters.
We were able to provide evidence of this individual's membership in a prestigious professional society, international honors and numerous letters of recommendation from industries leading scientists. This individual acted as a judge of the work of his research peers. We were able to provide 15 letters of recommendation reflecting the innovative work performed by this applicant. We also provided evidence to show the extensive citations of his findings.
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 216 (Monday, November 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69237-69241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28360]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
[Docket No. ICEB-XXXX]
RIN 1653-ZA09
I have applied for Student visa for Chicago IIT college as I had I20 for the same. DS160 Listed consulate as Mumbai but as dates were not available I have chosen the Delhi Consulate
I had an interview and I got rejection.
Below were the questions asked.
1) Why do u come here to Delhi for interview ? - A. I gave the reason that i couldn't get a date for Bombay in December ( My nearby embassy is Bombay )
2) Why Chicago IIT ? A. Gave explanation
3) Do you have Sibling ? A. yes Sister
4) Is she Married ? A. Yes
5) Where does she live ? A. Chicago
We won this case for a tenured-track professor with ten years research and teaching experience. The applicant was a critical component to a U.S. Department of Energy funded project. The applicant was also the key element to securing National Science Foundation funds for his employer. His vast knowledge of inorganic chemistry and his unique multidisciplinary background was proven throughout his numerous recommendation letters offered by experts around the world.
We won this case stressing the international scope of the extraordinary work that this applicant had done over the course of many years. He was identified by experts around the world as belonging to the top 5% of scientists in his field. His innovative and pioneering work was admired by his research peers around the globe. Many U.S. educational institutes were seeking his services as a research professor. This applicant was "invited" to present his research findings on countless occasions to an audience of the top researchers in the world.
We won this case by providing evidence of the impact of the work this applicant was conducting in her field. Numerous referees provided detailed recommendation letters outlining the necessity for the continued efforts of this applicant. Her teaching capabilities were noted as being far superior to others in her field. This applicant's unique background was shown to be scarce in the United States.
We won this case for the applicant having over eleven years of experience in the field of semiconductor thin films and solar cells. This applicant had received a prestigious international award. We provided evidence of the criteria of this award as well as numerous recommendation letters from other experts in the field describing the competitive nature of the award. Given the level of expertise of this applicant, he was highly sought after to review for prestigious international journals in his field. This is an honor only bestowed on the very best.
We won this case by providing strong recommendation letters and evidence of U.S. government support of this applicant's innovative research. His previous scholarly publications and impressive presentations were just a few key elements to his unique background. The FAA in particular was interested in the creative talents of this applicant.
We won this case for the applicant who had eleven years teaching and research experience. Recommendation letters indicated that the applicant had a superb knowledge of not only theory but also economic technique. The applicant was highly regarded by students, peers and experts in the field. He was frequently called upon to review for the top, world-renowned journals in economics.
We won this case for an applicant with over thirteen years research and teaching experience. His extraordinary talents and unique background as well as his vast knowledge in econometrics was shown by use of over six detailed recommendation letters. This applicant had an extensive publication record and was frequently asked to present at international conferences.