Extra CPT and OPT Seminar To Be Offered May 14
Because so many students have waited until the end of the academic year to begin thinking about CPT and OPT, we have decided to offer an extra CPT and OPT seminar next Wednesday, May 14. The CPT seminar will begin at 3 p.m. It will be followed by the OPT seminar at 3:45 p.m. Please plan to attend that session if you are interested in either CPT or OPT this summer.
The next session will be held on May 21. There will not be a session on May 28. In June, we will return to our normal schedule which is posted on our website, the first and third Wednesday of each month CPT at 3 p.m. and OPT at 3:45 p.m.
Additional Travel Seminars
Traveling after the semester ends? Additional travel seminars will be held next week. The Director has recently met with representatives of Customs and Border Patrol, and updated information about travel requirement for foreign nationals will be reviewed. Information is also posted on our website.
Schedule for May 13-15
Tuesday, May 13- 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14- 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, May 15- 2:00 p.m.
OPT Extension/ Cap Gap Rule
On April 8, 2008, DHS published the interim final rule that changes several key aspects of F-1 optional practical training (OPT). The rule is effective April 8, 2008.
The new rule published in the Federal Register will allow F-1 nonimmigrant students with certain STEM degrees (i.e., Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to extend their OPT by 17 months if they meet the eligibility requirements and also expands cap gap relief to all F-1 students with pending H-1B petitions. More information...
Interim Rule with NAFSA Annotations
USCIS OPT Extension/Cap Gap Relief FAQ's
E-Verify
SCIS STEM Extension Webpage (w/ application process)
SCIS OPT Extension/ Cap-Gap Handout
USCIS to Allow F-1 Students Opportunity to Request Change of Status
USCIS Reaches FY 2009 H-1B Cap
STEM Extension Information
The STEM degree CIP Codes listed in the document below are not currently eligible for the 17 month OPT extension. SCIS is working diligently with the University to determine if it is possible to re-classify these degrees for current students; this is an involved process that extends beyond the jurisdiction of the Slutzker Center. We are unable to re-classify students who have already completed their degree program and are currently on OPT. If there is a regulation change that would allow for such re-classification or extends eligibility to CIP codes that are currently ineligible, we will include that information on our website and in an SCIS News publication.
The Slutzker Center is working on compiling a list of eligible SUNY-ESF CIP Codes.Shuttle U Home Program Hours Extended
The Shuttle U Home Program will be extending its hours to help accommodate students during Reading Days and final exams. SUH will run from Wednesday, April 30 until Thursday, May 15. The hours the shuttle will run are 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., with the last sign-in at 4:30.