Foreign students in science and technology will get an extended work permit for up to 36 months

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Jan. 21 that Student (F1) visa holders studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the United States will be able to extend their work permit for up to 36 months.

The release states that 22 new fields of study will be added to the STEM STEM Student Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

The program allows students with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in certain fields of study to live in the United States for up to 36 months to work in their major.

“STEM innovation allows us to solve the complex challenges we face today and make a difference in the way we ensure security and protect our country,” said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mallorcas.

Among the 22 new fields of study are bioenergy, forestry, forest resource production and management, human-centered technology design, cloud computing, climate science, earth systems science, economics and computer science, environmental geosciences, biology, geography and environmental studies, and mathematics. Mathematical economics and atmospheric sciences.

The statement also informs that it has updated the guide with information so that these students can apply for a green card with unusual skills. If these skills are demonstrated, the student is not required to have a job offer to apply for a Green Card.

For more information, see the full press release on Link.