Study in USA: Immigration Agency Announces New STEM-OPT Fields for Students

There are eight new fields of study available for international students as per the USA’s Federal Register announcement. The new field will be added to STEM OPT (science, technology, engineering and mathematics Optional Practical Training). 

Moreover, the OPT allows 12 months of practical training for students. The new announcement offers work opportunities for international students studying in the USA. 

The list determines which degrees are eligible for international students in F-1 status. Also, the student must be qualified for a 24-month extension of Optional Practical Training in a STEM field. 

Earlier in January 2022, the Biden administration announced a Federal Register notice. The notice says, the eligibility for STEM OPT by adding 22 qualifying fields of study. This includes subjects such as cloud computing, anthrozoology, climate science, mathematical economics and others.

Additional Information

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said they are “amending the DHS STEM Designated Degree Programme List by adding eight qualifying fields of study” in a Federal Register notice expected to be published on July 12, 2023.

Moreover, the public can nominate different fields to the degree program. As per the announcement, international students cannot come to the USA without OPT. 

Also, the ability to gain practical work experience in their field and the potential applicant to obtain H-1B status and an employment based green card. 

Furthermore, at Canadian Universities, the number of Indian students enrolled as international students has increased by 182% between the 2016/17 and 2019/2020 academic years. The number of Indian students studying in Canada has tripled since 2013. 

For more such exciting news updates, make sure you contact Leverage Edu to start your study abroad Journey.