Great News for F-1 Students Pursuing STEM Degrees

In the previous post I posted a release from the DHS stipulating the program changes in the post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) available to students on the F-1 visa.
This is indeed great news for a couple of reasons:

• Those on OPT can now spend a longer period of time (29 months!) gaining valuable work experience without having to (necessarily) worry about leaving the company after the brief 12 months
• One now has, theoretically, at least two opportunities to apply for the H1-b visa with your current employer
  

It is important to note that this 17-month extension is only for those that have attained (or are currently pursuing) a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). Check out the previous post to see a description of these degrees.
More to follow...