U.S. Government Expands Program for International Students

May 14, 2012

Secretary Janet Napolitano says international students and exchange visitors "bring invaluable contributions" to the United States.

Washington — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced May 11 an expanded list of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) designated-degree programs that qualify eligible graduates on student visas for an optional practical training (OPT) extension.

The department said the action builds on a series of administrative reforms designed to increase the department's commitment to attracting international students.

“Attracting the best and brightest international talent to our colleges and universities and enabling them to contribute to their professional growth is an important part of our nation's economic, scientific and technological competitiveness,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. “International students and exchange visitors bring invaluable contributions to our nation, and this helps empower the next generation of international entrepreneurs, right here in America.”

Under the OPT program, international students who graduate from colleges and universities in the United States are able to remain in the country and receive training through work experience for up to 12 months. Students who graduate from a designated STEM degree program can remain for an additional 17 months on an OPT STEM extension.

By expanding the list of designated STEM degree programs to include such fields as pharmaceutical sciences, econometrics and quantitative economics, the department said it is helping to bring the best, most qualified international students to the United States.

These reforms, the department said, reflect the Obama administration's commitment to promote policies that embrace talented students from other countries, who come to study in U.S. colleges and universities and enrich the nation by allowing highly skilled foreign graduates to extend their post-graduate training in the United States and work in their field of study upon graduation.

A full list of expanded STEM degrees is available on the DHS website.

Earlier this year, DHS announced several measures the department will implement to streamline existing pathways for immigrant entrepreneurs to create businesses in the U.S., retain more foreign-born science and technology graduates from U.S. universities, facilitate immigration by top researchers, and help U.S. startups and other companies compete for global talent.

More information on DHS programs for study in the United States is available on the department website.