OPT extension

World International

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Hi:

I am an international student graduating on may and I am highly concerned with retrogression. I just have 9 months left for my OPT because I used 3 months in an externship. I don't apply for the H visa because I will have an associate degree.I would highly appreciate if someone could tell me more about the new extension for OPT that was recently approved. It is for 29 months I believe and it applies for science, engineering and math majors. I wonder if Nursing will apply for this extension since is science based?

Thank you for your attention and I appreciate your time.

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I don't think it applies to nursing.

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Specializes in LTC,Med surg-Telemetry,alzheimers,home h.

I have a friend who got 29 months but she graduated with a BSN, so i know it includes nursing

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Thread moved to the International forum.

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The 29 month extension applies only to those who graduated under the STEM degree and that does not include nursing.

You might want to go back to school, get your masters degree if you wish.:up:

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I have a friend who got 29 months but she graduated with a BSN, so i know it includes nursing

Sorry, but this extension does not include nursing; and if your friend received it, then there was either an error or because of previous training.

OPTs for nurses are only for one year. Period.

If she got it in error and then uses it, it can cause your friend major issues if they go for the green card later on. The US government goes over every OPT and proof them need to be submitted with the petitions, anything that is not kosher and it is going to be an automatic denial.

Then what are they going to do?

Nursing is not covered under the STEM requirements as well, and does not normally qualify for the H1-B either. That alone should send up a red flag.

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Specializes in LTC,Med surg-Telemetry,alzheimers,home h.
Sorry, but this extension does not include nursing; and if your friend received it, then there was either an error or because of previous training.

OPTs for nurses are only for one year. Period.

If she got it in error and then uses it, it can cause your friend major issues if they go for the green card later on. The US government goes over every OPT and proof them need to be submitted with the petitions, anything that is not kosher and it is going to be an automatic denial.

Then what are they going to do?

Nursing is not covered under the STEM requirements as well, and does not normally qualify for the H1-B either. That alone should send up a red flag.

She didnt have any previous training.Just finished her BSN in Dec and applied for OPT.It might have been an error, but i don't know why they gave her 29 months.If she runs later into problems, then its a fault on their part too.

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It will always come down to her, as it is considered her responsibility to be aware of what can be done and not done.

It is her choice as to what to do, but she faces serious problems with the US government if she should apply for the green card later on. It always is the final responsibility of the nurse; never anyone else. We are always expected to take responsibility for our actions.

And if she reads up on what the STEM professions are, she will find that nursing is not listed there. And if she just got the OPT, then she would not be filing for the extension yet either, so that tells me that there are more problems with what she received as well.

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Hi,

I got my ADN in June 2010, and my OPT starts on August. I failed the NCLEX, and I am going to retake it on December 2010. You have 60 days to find a job which is related with your major or your OPT will be gone. Is it OK if I do volunteer in hospitals to keep OPT?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi,

I got my ADN in June 2010, and my OPT starts on August. I failed the NCLEX, and I am going to retake it on December 2010. You have 60 days to find a job which is related with your major or your OPT will be gone. Is it OK if I do volunteer in hospitals to keep OPT?

Not sure if volunteering will meet requirements of OPT. Probably need to speak to your student advisor

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Most likely it wont meet OPT requirements as when you're volunteering as you don't have direct patient care contact. You're basically the one who passes out magazines, passes water, gives snacks, transports via wheelchair, reads to them etc. There is no direct hands on nursing care period. You must be licensed and must be paid in order to have direct patient care contact. Good Luck

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