DHS expands F1 STEM OPT program, adding eight new academic fields eligible for international students in the U.S. to gain practical training.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently expanded the opportunities for international students studying in the United States.
The DHS has added eight new academic fields to the list of degrees eligible for the F1 STEM optional practical training (OPT) program.
This program allows F1 students with qualifying STEM degrees to obtain work authorization for up to 36 months after graduation.
As of today, the F1 STEM OPT program includes the following fields and STEM Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes:
Developmental and Adolescent Psychology (CIP 42.2710)
Geospatial Intelligence (CIP 43.0407)
Institutional Research (CIP 13.0608)
Landscape Architecture (CIP 04.0601)
Linguistics and Computer Science (CIP 30.4801)
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering Technology/Technician (CIP 15.0407)
This F1 opt stem expansion presents exciting opportunities for international students pursuing careers in these fields.
By participating in the STEM OPT program, students can gain valuable work experience in the United States, enhancing their skills and increasing their employability in their respective industries.
If you want to see the most up-to-date DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List 2023, you can refer to the official OPT degree with the STEM CIP code list for the comprehensive and accurate information you need.
What is the F1 visa STEM OPT Extension?
The STEM OPT Extension refers to an extension of the OPT work authorization to international students in the United States with a qualifying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree. The qualifying degree must be recognized in the OPT STEM list.
Under the STEM OPT Extension, eligible students can extend their post-completion OPT work authorization period by an additional 24 months, allowing them to gain practical work experience in their field of study.
This new announcement signifies an important milestone as it represents the first expansion of the degree list since the public nomination process was implemented.
This development underscores the ongoing dedication of DHS to carefully consider and evaluate additional fields for potential inclusion in the DHS stem list.
Learn more about STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension here.
Need help with your F1 visa application? Check out F1 visa details here.
