The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced it is
expanding the list of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
designated degree programs that will qualify graduates in the US on
student visas for optional practical training (OPT) extensions. Under
the OPT program, international students who graduate from U.S. colleges
and universities may remain in the country and receive training through
work experience for up to one year. Students who graduate from a
designated STEM degree program are able to remain in the U.S. for an
additional 17 months via an OPT STEM extension.
“Attracting the best and brightest international talent to our colleges
and universities and enabling them to contribute to their professional
growth is an important part of our nation’s economic, scientific and
technological competitiveness,” said Janet Napolitano, Secretary of
Homeland Security. “International students and exchange visitors bring
invaluable contributions to our nation, and this helps empower the next
generation of international entrepreneurs, right here in America.”
The list of designated STEM degree programs has been expanded to include
such fields as pharmaceutical sciences, econometrics and quantitative
economics to help the U.S. bring in and recruit the best international
students to the country.
