USA makes more study fields eligible for longer OPT post-study work

The STEM OPT stream was introduced in 2016 and allows F-1 visa international students earning bachelor, master’s or doctoral degrees in the USA to remain for up to 36 months to work in a job related to the field of study. Standard OPT for other areas of study is 12 months.

A further 22 study fields have now been made eligible for STEM OPT, including programmes in data and environmental science areas (see full list at bottom of story).

DHS is also updating the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) policy manual guidance to clarify how certain STEM graduates of exceptional ability can use the national interest waiver for employment-based immigrant visa classification, making it easier “to embark on a pathway to obtain lawful permanent residence status in the United States”.

Dr Esther D. Brimmer, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA Association of International Educators , welcomed the announcement and said the government was signalling recognition of the value of international students.

“We commend the Biden-Harris administration for taking concrete action to make the United States a more attractive destination for the world’s talent and share the assertion that all Americans benefit from their presence in our classrooms, communities, and workplaces. NAFSA has long advocated for a White House-led comprehensive international education strategy, and it is gratifying to see many of the policy improvements we’ve called for incorporated into these proposals.”

She said that the announcement was a welcome step in the right direction but also urged Congress to provide for key legislative solutions “such as expanding dual intent and creating a path to a green card for international students”.

The 22 new fields of study are: anthrozoology, bioenergy, business analytics, climate science, cloud computing, data visualization, earth systems science, economics and computer science, environmental geosciences, financial analytics, forest resources production and management, general data analytics, general data science, general forestry, geobiology, geography and environmental studies, human-centered technology design, industrial and organizational psychology, mathematics and atmospheric and oceanic science, mathematical economics, other data analytics and social sciences, research methodology, and quantitative methods.

Click on the links to read the Department of Homeland Security statement on the new measures, and NAFSA’s guidance sheet, which contains descriptions of each course.