Sprints Global Consultancy

27/03/2016

The 24- month STEM OPT regulation goes into effect May 10, 2016 - If there is 150 days left on Stem OPT, By May 10th, they can apply for 7 Month Extension
Transition Guidance for Applications Filed Through May 9, 2016
The 17-month STEM OPT provisions remain in place until May 10, 2016, which is when the new, 24- month STEM OPT regulation goes into effect.
Beginning May 10, 2016, all new or pending STEM OPT extension applications will be adjudicated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the new regulation. For cases filed before this date that are still pending as of May 10th, the USCIS will issue a request for evidence (RFE) asking for documentation demonstrating eligibility for the 24-month extension. Among the evidence required to demonstrate eligibility under the new regulation will be an updated I-20 with a 24-month duration recommendation and a completed training plan for STEM OPT students.
150 Days of STEM OPT Required to file OPT Extension
Students who are issued 17-month STEM OPT extensions before May 10th may be eligible to apply for the extra seven months of STEM OPT allowed under the new regulation. This is not an automatic extension, however. Rather, on or after May 10th, it must be specifically requested by filing a new application for employment authorization (form I-765)
Note: This bill is valid through 2019.

04/02/2016

Is it worth it!!
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2016/02/03/even-americans-cant-afford-the-american-dream?int=a14709

There isn't a country in the world where the average worker can afford the accoutrements of an ideal American life.

10/01/2016

Here is the article for the day!! By Senior Lothumalla

https://www.facebook.com/ravi.lothumalla/posts/986954041348068

Some deported Indian students had less than $2 in their bank accounts.

24/12/2015

Announcement: Students who planned going to SVU & NPU for Spring-2016 are requested to differ their admission by Ministry of External Affairs.

22/11/2015

We truly appreciate your support and running towards 10k likes!

01/11/2015

Tips to maintain your Status !!

20/10/2015

19/10/2015

Hearty congrats to @ Shraddha joshi for getting her VISA on UCM for SPRING-2016 Intake.

17/10/2015

Good News!! for F1 students!!

Below is the unpublished copy of New OPT STEM Rule - Good News is that OPT Extension is proposed for 24 months from 17 Months

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
8 CFR Parts 214 and 274a
[DHS Docket No. ICEB-2015-0002]
RIN 1653-AA72

Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students
with STEM Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students
AGENCY: Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend its 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). This 24-month extension
would effectively replace the 17-month STEM OPT extension currently available to
certain STEM students. The rule also improves and increases oversight over STEM OPT
extensions by, among other things, requiring the implementation of formal mentoring and
training plans by employers, adding wage and other protections for STEM OPT students
and U.S. workers, and allowing extensions only to students with degrees from accredited
schools.

As with the current 17-month STEM OPT extension, the proposed rule would
authorize STEM OPT extensions only for students employed by employers enrolled in
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS’) E-Verify employment eligibility
verification program. The proposal also includes the “Cap-Gap” relief first introduced in
2008 for any F-1 student with a timely filed H-1B petition and request for change of
status. This Cap-Gap relief allows such students to automatically extend the duration of
F-1 status and any current employment authorization until October 1 of the fiscal year for
which such H-1B visa is being requested.

In addition to improving the integrity and value of the STEM OPT program, this
proposed rule also responds to a court decision that vacated a 2008 DHS regulation on
procedural grounds. The proposed rule includes changes to the policies announced in the
2008 rule to further enhance the academic benefit provided by STEM OPT extensions
and increase oversight, which will better ensure that students gain valuable practical
STEM experience that supplements knowledge gained through their academic studies,
while preventing adverse effects to U.S. workers. By earning a functional understanding
of how to apply their academic knowledge in a work setting, students will be better
positioned to begin careers in their fields of study. These on-the-job educational
experiences would be obtained only with those employers that commit to developing
students’ knowledge and skills through practical application. The proposed changes
would also help ensure that the nation’s colleges and universities remain globally
competitive in attracting international STEM students to study and lawfully remain in the
United States

06/10/2015

Good News!!

USICE submitted the STEM OPT “proposed” rule to the OMB for its review and approval. This is the first step for the required rule-making procedures and steps. Once the OMB approves it, ICE will publish it in the federal register seeking comments within certain period of time.

Once ICE receives comments, it will review all the comments and then draft and submit an interim final rule to the OMB again for its review and approval. Once the OMB approves it, the ICE will publish the Interim Final Rule in the federal register again with the effect date notice.

Interim Final Rule is a legally binding rule. This process must be completed by February 12, 2016 under the court order. Since the ICE has just officially initiated it, it should be do-able to achieve it within the time line.

30/09/2015

We are proud to announce that we are the members of IECA.

30/09/2015

We are proud to announce that we are the members of OACAC(Overseas Association for College Admission Council) & NACAC(National Association for College Admission Council)