Serious delay in OPT processing?
What is OPT?
OPT (Optional Practical Training) is the identity permit for F-1 visa students to work internship after completing their studies in the United States. The Immigration Bureau is responsible for hearing and issuing an EAD card (Employment Authorization Document). After applying for OPT, you can only work in the US if you get an EAD card.
Ordinary OPT is only 12 months. STEM students can apply for the OPT Extension for an additional 24 months STEM OPT.
Many students are affected by OPT processing delays
According to the New York Times, a Chinese student named Yaling Jiang was recently affected by the delay in OPT processing and was unable to start work. Yaling graduated from Columbia University's School of Journalism this summer. She got an intern offer from a trade publication under the Financial Times. She should have been employed in early June, but now she can only wait for the Immigration Bureau to process her OPT application at home. Due to the delay in getting the EAD card, some students can only negotiate with the company to postpone the start date of the work. The expenses in the United States can only be supported by parents.
US Congressman proposes to cancel OPT
After Trump took office, the OPT policy has been tightened. Last year, the US government regulated the requirements for STEM professional OPT Extension applications, prohibiting international students from going to third-party companies during OPT. Recently, a Republican congressman in the United States proposed a major reform bill, proposed to amend the Immigration and Nationality Law, cancel the OPT work permit, and plan to submit the bill to Trump within two weeks.
The OPT stage is an important transitional stage for international students from student status to H-1B status. In particular, STEM students can enjoy three years of OPT. However, OPT is often opposed by Americans. Some people think that the unemployment of American employees is related to the issuance of OPT, and some people think that OPT is abused.
In recent years, the abuse of OPT has indeed been serious. Many international students stay in the United States through OPT and other means. In the first half of this year, Findream, a company specializing in OPT services, was investigated and the Chinese boss was criminally prosecuted. According to the information in the indictment, about 1,900 F-1 students listed Findream as their employer during the OPT.
OPT handles serious delays, what should I do?
If the immigration office handles your case significantly beyond the normal range, the USCIS will generally delay the start of working hours on the EAD card. This will prevent you from losing 90 days of unemployment due to the failure to receive an EAD card. Can't wait for the students to try to call the immigration office to apply for expedited
