The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added twenty-two new fields of study to the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The need for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals continues to outpace available qualified individuals in the United States. In an effort to attract and retain talent with these specific skills, the OPT program allows foreign students who have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in certain STEM fields to remain in the U.S. for up to thirty-six months following completion of their degree program.

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

Information on each field of study is being sent to students and schools through the Federal Register notice.

In addition, DHS is updating U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines for the national interest waiver as it pertains to qualifying STEM graduates. Qualifying individuals can consider the national interest waiver for an employment-based immigrant visa as an advanced degree noncitizen or noncitizen of exceptional ability. The national interest waiver waives the requirement of providing proof that a U.S. citizen is not available to fill the open position. Further, certification from the Department of Labor is also waived.

The O-1A nonimmigrant status for noncitizens of extraordinary ability is also being updated. The O-1A is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the fields of science, arts, education, business, or athletics. The update includes examples of evidence that may be shown to satisfy the criteria for an O-1A, including those working in STEM fields.

ILBSG continues to monitor ongoing updates to immigration policy and visa requirements. We work with our clients to ensure they get the right advice. If you have questions about any immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG.

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