A new unit created in the US to monitor OPT affairs

In the USA the DHS has announced that US immigration and ICE will launch a new unit to oversee the OPT scheme for a work permit. The new unit will ensure that compliance is met with in terms of wages, personnel, salaries, and working hours.

OPT is a type of permission to work in USA made available for eligible students holding an F-1 visa. The F-1 visa allows an international student to be in the USA as a full-time student at an accredited university, college, conservatory, seminary, elementary school, academic high school, or other academic institution.

As the ICE is currently not able to evaluate the impact of OPT on US workers and foreign students with authorization to work, the unit has been created. It will assist the ICE in achieving these goals.

The formation of the OPT Employment Compliance Unit followed the acknowledgment of the contribution of international students to the US economy and the resolve to safeguard their rights in the US. In fact, the OPT immigration program is a major pathway for international students to get into full-time employment. This serves as a route to getting the H-1B visa.

The new unit will investigate violations of OPT rules involving employers and students to ensure that the lawful running of the program is happening. With such intense scrutiny, the OPT program will help international students to easily transition to the H-1B visa.

Under the OPT immigration program, a foreign student could stay back to work for a period ranging from 12 months to 3 years after completing study in USA. The duration of stay will depend on the student’s area of study.

An unlawful stay in the US for an international student will be being in the US without their status updated.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

If you found this blog engaging, you may also like…

MIFI’s suspension against 10 colleges in Quebec cancelled

Note:

DHS – Department of Homeland Security

ICE – Immigration and Customs Enforcement

OPT – Optical Practical Training