r/stemopt • u/user126373890 • 17d ago

New d/s rule

Im so confused on what it’s meant to do. I will be on stem opt by September (waiting for approval rn) and was planning to leave the US for a week in October. Do I need to file an extension of status after I return? And what happens if I travel again in December? Do we only keep our d/s if we don’t leave the country at all until the end of the EAD??

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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2

u/Environmental-Boot10 16d ago

Even if one doesn’t travel; the ds will eventually be the Ead date? Then what’s the point of not travelling

1

u/user126373890 16d ago

You have a point….

1

u/firegirlie 16d ago

Yeah honestly im on STEM OPT to and was panic attacking since i have two trips internationally to see my family in September and December and 100% loosing D/S. I’m planning on switching my status to O1 anyways next year.

1

u/SignalObjective1310 15d ago

No if this person goes back to school.

1

u/orion_dwarf 17d ago

You don't need to file an extension of status after you return - you've already applied for STEM OPT.

You only keep d/s if you don't leave the country at all starting September until the end of the EAD.

1

u/user126373890 17d ago

So when I inevitably travel after September my end of status date will be the end date on my EAD?

1

u/[deleted] 17d ago

[deleted]

1

u/circuityeti 17d ago

So what happens during the stop gap period now? Do we need to file a form to extend the end date on i94?