Extended work training for Saudi students in US

DAMMAM: The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a new rule allowing F1 students the opportunity to stay in the country longer by getting training on the job at some companies for a period of 36 months.
F1 visas are issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English language program at an American college or university. F1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status.
Under the previous rules, they could remain in the United States up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete their academic program, unless they have applied and been approved to stay and work for a period of time under the Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Another type of practical training available for F1 students is Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. OPT also allows F1 students to work in the United States by engaging in practical training during or after completing their studies, for a total of 12 months.
According to the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM), under the former rules, international students whose degrees are in designated Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields were eligible to apply for a one-time 17-month OPT extension, beyond the initial 12 months of OPT.
Under the new rule, the STEM OPT Extension would increase from 17 months to 24 months. Thus, STEM graduates could receive up to a total of 36 months of employment authorization. STEM students already on a current 17-month extension will be able to transition to the 24-month extension, said Mohammed Al-Essa, the Saudi cultural attaché in the US.
Al-Essa said the decision would benefit Saudi students in terms of valuable work experience, while companies would be able to tap the skills of thousands of qualified foreign students already in the United States.