After eight new qualifying degree disciplines were added to the eligibility list, foreign students with F-1 visas seeking employment in a STEM vocation now have additional opportunities.
The STEM Designated Degree Programme List, which is used to determine whether a degree earned by F-1 visa students qualifies as a STEM degree and is necessary for them to be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their optional practical training (OPT), was expanded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on July 12, 2023.
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Optional Practical Training programme enables eligible international students on F-1 visas to gain practical experience in a field closely relevant to their primary field of study. F-1 students with a degree in a STEM-related field of study authorised according to the STEM OPT list and who have finished their 12-month OPT are eligible for the STEM OPT extension.
New STEM Fields Addition
The Biden government’s effort to recruit and keep STEM talent from abroad includes expanding the STEM list. The STEM OPT list now consists of the following fields of STEM:
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Composite Materials Technology/Technician
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Landscape Architecture
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Linguistics and Computer Science
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Demography and Population Studies
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Developmental and Adolescent Psychology
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Geospatial Intelligence
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Institutional Research
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Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering Technology/Technician
Form I-765, 'Application for Employment Authorization', must be submitted by eligible students to request work authorization and employment authorization documents. A Form I-983, 'Training Plan for STEM OPT Students,' must also be completed to ensure that those who qualify get the academic and training benefits of the STEM OPT extension.
Knowing Public Input
A public nomination procedure for degree disciplines to be added to the STEM OPT list was launched by DHS in January 2022. DHS regarded associated subjects that involved engineering, mathematics, computer science, or natural sciences research, innovation, or the creation of new technologies. Engineering, biological and biomedical sciences, mathematics and statistics, and physical sciences were also covered.
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STEM Talent is Being Prioritised
In addition to expanding the list of academic areas that qualify as STEM, the Biden government proposed a number of policy adjustments in 2022 to attract and retain STEM-educated immigrants. Changes include increasing job options for exchange students in STEM disciplines, clarifying the requirements for ‘extraordinary ability’ visas to accommodate STEM employees, and facilitating the possibility of permanent residency for foreign nationals with a STEM background.
Source: The Economic Times
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