# 119-hr-8683: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to codify the Optional Practical Training program.

119-hr-8683, To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to codify the Optional Practical Training program., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4] (D-NC); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8683
- As of: 2026-09-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-8683
- Congress: 119
- Title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to codify the Optional Practical Training program.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-05-07
- Sponsor: Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4] (D-NC)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Immigration
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-21

## Summary

**Codifies Optional Practical Training (OPT)** as an explicit part of an F‑1 student's course of study. The bill would allow practical training and employment authorization tied to study and sets clear maximums of up to 24 months for non‑STEM work and up to 48 months for STEM-related work. - F-1 students: Could include practical training as part of a full course of study and receive work authorization for up to 24 months when the employment is related to their field of study. - STEM students and nursing students: Students in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics could get up to 48 months of practical training for related work. The bill directs the Secretary to treat nursing as a STEM field for this extension. - Department of Homeland Security: The department would have authority to set the terms and conditions for the practical training and employment authorization periods.

## Provisions PRIA read

- More OPT work time for F-1 students: benefit, high. If enacted, the bill would codify that an F-1 student's course of study can include practical training with work authorization. You would be able to work up to 24 months in a job related to your field after your studies. If you study or completed a STEM field, you would be able to work up to 48 mon…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-7481: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-5089: Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-hr-7273: NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026

## Sources
- [119-hr-8683 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8683)

## Related
- [119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4669)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-7481: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7481)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-5089: Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5089)
- [119-hr-7273: NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7273)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8683 (as of 2026-09-21).