The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made a great announcement regarding STEM courses. Under the U.S. President John Biden Administration's initiative, the decision to add eight new fields of study to the list of STEP OPT programs was made public earlier this July. This means that more graduates from a wider range of STEM programs can now apply for an extension to their Optional Practical Training (OPT) for up to 24 months.

This update allows more STEM graduates to gain three times more work experience in the U.S. than graduates from other fields. With this extra time, students can improve their specialized skills during OPT and become better prepared for their future careers. It's fantastic news for international students in STEM fields!

If you still need to learn what STEM OPT is and how STEM OPT works, let us guide you in the blog below. Be sure you stick with this page until the end.

What is the STEM OPT?

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) OPT is defined as the program that allows students studying on an F-1 Visa under any of the STEM fields to apply for temporary work authorization (OPT) to get practical work experience. Applying to this program lets international students work in the United States for up to 12 months after graduating in their chosen STEM field. Additionally, students can apply for a 24-month extension to their OPT period, making it a total work period of 36 months. 

How Does STEM OPT Work for International Students?

STEM OPT works targeting STEM graduates to gain unlimited practical experience in real-world works related to their chosen field. Optional Practical Training, or OPT, allows eligible international students with an F-1 visa to find a job or internship related to their studies. Some students can apply for OPT while still studying (Pre-Completion OPT), but most do it after graduation (Post-Completion OPT).

If STEM graduates complete 12 months of OPT and their degree is on the STEM List, they can apply for a 24-month extension. This means they can work in the U.S. for up to three years with their STEM qualifications.

Who is Eligible for STEM OPT Work?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a work opportunity for F-1 students. It allows you to use what you've learned in your degree program for off-campus work. The only condition is that the job should be related to your academic level and major subject.

Always remember that the Office of International Education (OIE) suggests OPT, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants the authorization. As a result, obtaining this authorization can take one to two months, so plan ahead.

The eligibility criteria for STEM OPT Work Visa are:

• Applicant must have been a full-time student in the U.S. for one academic year, which means two full consecutive terms.

• You should have used less than 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) before

• You should not have previously been granted 12 months of OPT at the same degree level.

• The employer for STEM OPT must be registered in the E-Verify program of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

What are the Eight New Fields on the STEM List?

Now that you have learned all the basic information about STEM OPT and how you can apply them. Let's learn about the New Fields that are announced recently by the Department of Homeland Security earlier this July:

• Landscape Architecture 

• Institutional Research 

• Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering 

• Composite Materials Technology/Technician 

• Linguistics and Computer Science 

• Developmental and Adolescent Psychology 

• Geospatial Intelligence 

• Demography and Population Studies

Have you found your desired field of study on the STEM list above? See the full list on the official U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.